which diameter lead round ball ?

[hrt4me]

...would you recommend for my .32 caliber (yes, that is correct) black powder percussion revolver?
And where would be the best source to either order/purchase these .32 caliber lead round balls and/or a mold to cast my own?

 

[Justin.44]

00 buckshot is .330, I think that would work for you but someone with more experience will chime in soon I'm sure.

If that size would work you could get a mold for that or take them out of those unmentionable things.

 

[Zonie]

Most of the small pocket revolvers were called .31 caliber after the size of the bore in them. Describing a muzzleloading gun or cap and ball pistol by the bore size was common back in the day.

Your pistol should shoot a .321 diameter lead ball. A ball this size or slightly larger will totally seal off the .319 diameter chambers in the cylinder and come close to matching the groove size in the barrel.
You can try loading a larger ball like Justin44 suggests but you may find that it is just about impossible with the short loading lever on your gun. Actually, loading a .321 diameter ball in one of those .31 caliber pistols can be a chore to do using that little loading lever. That's why I suggest, if you do use a ball that is larger than .321, remove the cylinder from the gun and load it using the bench or a block of wood to support it. A plastic mallet can be used to tap the balls into the chambers.

Your powder charge should be just enough to fill the chamber leaving just enough room for the ball at the top.
3Fg or 4F black powder can be used in these small pocket pistols. If you can't get real black powder, Pyrodex P will also work.

 

[hrt4me]

Most of the small pocket revolvers were called .31 caliber after the size of the bore in them. Describing a muzzleloading gun or cap and ball pistol by the bore size was common back in the day.

Your pistol should shoot a .321 diameter lead ball. A ball this size or slightly larger will totally seal off the .319 diameter chambers in the cylinder and come close to matching the groove size in the barrel.
You can try loading a larger ball like Justin44 suggests but you may find that it is just about impossible with the short loading lever on your gun. Actually, loading a .321 diameter ball in one of those .31 caliber pistols can be a chore to do using that little loading lever. That's why I suggest, if you do use a ball that is larger than .321, remove the cylinder from the gun and load it using the bench or a block of wood to support it. A plastic mallet can be used to tap the balls into the chambers.

Your powder charge should be just enough to fill the chamber leaving just enough room for the ball at the top.
3Fg or 4F black powder can be used in these small pocket pistols. If you can't get real black powder, Pyrodex P will also work.

Thank you for your reply

Although I do happen to have several .31 caliber pocket revolvers (e.g. this original Colt 1849 Pocket, as well as several reproductions...):

the lead round balls I use for those are too loose in my specific .32 caliber black powder percussion revolver about which I am inquiring...

 

[Dashing Leper]

Pepperboxes are rifled? If they're not, I don't think you have to worry about press-fit.

 

[Zonie]

Thank you for your reply

Although I do happen to have several .31 caliber pocket revolvers (e.g. this original Colt 1849 Pocket, as well as several reproductions...):View attachment 75002

the lead round balls I use for those are too loose in my specific .32 caliber black powder percussion revolver about which I am inquiring...
View attachment 75003

Sorry about that.
In your original post you said it was a .32 caliber revolver. Had you said it was a .32 caliber pepperbox, my answer would have been different.
Pepperbox pistols are essentially pure muzzleloaders and would have used a patched ball just like the single barrel muzzleloading pistols do.

As the round balls you have tried using are too small for your gun, I suggest that you try patching them with some thin cotton cloth.
Depending on the ball and bore size, these cloth patches could be as thin as .005" and still work well. If the patch/ball combination is too loose, a .010" thick patch might be the answer.
An old cotton sheet might be a good candidate for the source of very thin cotton patches?

 

[Grenadier1758]

Ah, @hrt4me, you just saw how important the proper description of the revolver in question can change the answers to some that are useful in the answering of the question. Pictures convey information that some of us just don't put into words very well.

Another observation to be made is the importance of having useful measuring devices. At the least one needs a caliper, either digital or Vernier capable of measuring to 0.001". Getting the actual measurement is such an aid in determining the best practices answer to most questions.