Which Round Ball

[joe sebia]

I don't make my own so I purchase commercial balls. I have been using Hornadys and they are a decent product. Recently I tried the Shultz method and have really improved my shooting. It does irk me a bit to discard the light balls. I will probably just use them for close range targets and plinking.

I also tried TC balls which seem to be heavier and shoot mostly the same with a slight shift in POI but nothing troublesome. Again the issue of light balls rattle mine :cursing:

Has anyone found a brand that is more consistent IRT weights? I could go broke trying different brands.

Thanks :hatsoff:

 

[SgtErv]

Just curious, what percentage of the Hornady balls are light?

 

[BrownBear]

I was searching for just the right diameter of ball for my 62 calibers, and didn't want to buy a mold til I knew. Ordered several different diamaters of cast balls from Track of the Wolf, and was delighted with the consistency of weights. I've never seen swaged balls of any brand come so close. Upon comparing my own cast .530 and .490 balls with the swaged models, cast beat them every time.

I'd say if you're buying and want the most consistency, go with cast whether from TOW or another source.

 

[Skychief]

My experience mirrors BrownBears.

 

[Onojutta]

Can you enlighten us on the issue with Hornady balls? Is it that they are just lighter altogether compared to other brands of same diameter, or is it a consistency issue?

I've only ever used Hornady balls simply because they seem to be available everywhere. Lots of local shops carry different brands, but if I ever need to stop and pick some up in a pinch somewhere, like up at camp, I know I can find Hornady's. If the issue is with consistency, there may be off brands whose weight are more consistent with each bag, but then there is the inconsistency of not being able to find the same thing again when I need more.

 

[Cowboy]

Just curious, what percentage of the Hornady balls are light?

From my experience, 10 to 15 out of 100 ( 1 box ). They vary from 1 to 3 grn difference. So in other words 10%.

I tried several brands and I can tell you, it's not just Hornady.

I cast my own and am very conscientious about ball weights. I have a high standard when it comes to consistency in ball weight. You can say that I might go overboard when it comes to my expectations when I cast.

I totally agree with what BrownBear and Skychief said. You can't beat casting your own. You have more control in what is acceptable to you and your needs.

Of course you could start an entire topic about casting so I wont go there right now. I would only say that your equipment needed is minimal and would pay for its self in a very short time.

Respectfully, Cowboy

 

[bender20]

This question is born out of ignorance and is not ment to cast doubt on anything that has been said. But how much will that weight difference make?
I shoot hornandy and have never weighed them and I don't think I've noticed a difference but will say every once and a awhile I get a flyer that I wasn't able to call when shooting. I don't claim to be a great shot but I can almost always call my bad shots. How far off will you be at 50 yards with a 2 to 3 grain difference in weight? I can usually shoot a 3 to 4 inch group and probably close to about 1 out of 20 or soi will be 6in outside of that so a total of 9in off and the shot will have felt good. This is from a supported position but not off of a bench usually sitting so it could just be me or something else entirely.

 

[mooman76]

If you want to not waste money and maybe even save some and end up with a better quality product you can control, cast your own. It's not that hard.

 

[SgtErv]

10% is significant enough to matter, depending on how far each may be off.
I'm looking into casting using primitive gear more for my impression and actual shooting. Weigh them on a digital scale?

 

[BrownBear]

How far off will you be at 50 yards with a 2 to 3 grain difference in weight? I can usually shoot a 3 to 4 inch group and probably close to about 1 out of 20 or soi will be 6in outside of that so a total of 9in off and the shot will have felt good. This is from a supported position but not off of a bench usually sitting so it could just be me or something else entirely.

Probably some differences in shooting style and guns, but I start problem solving if my groups get anywhere near 3 inches at 50 yards. With supported shots, I'm more in the 1.5-2" range, while my bud can use my rifle and loads and beat that all day long. You're getting hunting accuracy at 50 yards, but if that "off" shot is made at 75 yards, it's going to be even further off.

 

[bender20]

Agreed brown bear I'm working on getting it down. Some of it is me. Off the bench I can usually keep it under 3 usually around 1.5. Just don't understand the flyer.

 

[Cowboy]

This question is born out of ignorance and is not ment to cast doubt on anything that has been said. But how much will that weight difference make?
I shoot hornandy and have never weighed them and I don't think I've noticed a difference but will say every once and a awhile I get a flyer that I wasn't able to call when shooting. How far off will you be at 50 yards with a 2 to 3 grain difference in weight?

I will be the first to tell you that I don't shoot good enough to have an answer to your question about accuracy related to ball weight.

There are those who can and when they compete, the difference between first place and second could be an 1/8 of an inch.

I will admit that I'm a perfectionist and always set my goals very high. Not a good thing at times. A little OCDC.

From what you said about your shooting and not being able to call a flyer when you usually can, it might be contributed to a difference in ball weight. :idunno:

If all your ball weights are the same, that wouldn't even be a factor and could be eliminated right off the bat.

Respectfully, Cowboy :thumbsup:

 

[Cowboy]

10% is significant enough to matter, depending on how far each may be off.
I'm looking into casting using primitive gear more for my impression and actual shooting. Weigh them on a digital scale?

Yes, I use two different scales when weighing the balls I casted.

First off I check the calibration of both scales with calibration weights. When both scales agree with each other I am ready to weigh.

Both scales are accurate to within 0.1 grn.

If a ball does not make the weight I reweigh using the second scale. If both scales agree that the ball is not within my standard, it gets tossed aside for future casting.

Both are electronic and have served me well.
1.Cen-Tech Digital Scale 2.Jennings JSR-150

Respectfully, Cowboy

 

[Vaino]

Have used Hornady, Speer and Remington RBs and have never weighed any of the RBs.

MY .45 flint is used mainly for squirrels and has head hit 100s of squirrels, mainly w/ Hornady RBs and again w/o weighing.

Don't do much target shooting....only when sighting in and use .50s,and .54s for hunting. Haven't noticed any "flyers" w/ any of the 3 brands of RBs mentioned above.

Also don't weigh the powder charges....my powder measure is accurate and consistent.

Have found that MLers are very forgiving w/ slight variances in powder charges and the swaged RBs contribute to excellent accuracy......Fred

 

[FrontierMuzzleloading]

I've tried sorting the weights and found zero difference between a ball that weighs 177 grains vs 182 grains. Its a waste of time.

What rifle are you currently shooting?

 

[Cowboy]

It's not a waste of time at all. That is your opinion not mine. Besides you know what they say about opinions. :grin:

This is one of those topics that a lot of members choose to be for weighing them with just as many who think it's a waist of time. We both know where we stand on it.

This brings to mind of a famous saying by our very own Rifleman1776 who always says" This is a do your own thang game"

As long as he's safe it's his time to do with as he see's fit.

Respectfully, Cowboy

 

[Ames]

I use Hornady, and learned one thing about them. If there is the slightest wrinkle or small mark on the ball, load it so the mark is forward and centered. Made my flyers almost nonexistent.
But I'm sure it's common knowledge on here. I had to learn it on my own.

 

[joe sebia]

In response to lil buff and fml. My concern is mostly consistency from ball to ball.

My observation that one brand is slightly heavier on average tells me one of 2 things, provided both balls are same diameter. 1 the heavier ball is either better made i.e. No air bubbles inside or 2 the lighter ball has some sort filler or alloy. Two balls of the same diameter of 100% lead should weigh identical. Just an observation and thought it was something to share.

The gun I am using is a 50 cal TC flint around 1978 vintage that is a cantankerous SOB. Dutch's method has tamed it considerably so that I get more than hunting accuracy out of it ~2 1/2" @ 50 yds. I am happy with that though I think it could do better with a better shooter. Me eyes are the weak link there. :shocked2:

 

[Onojutta]

Two balls of the same diameter of 100% lead should weigh identical. Just an observation and thought it was something to share.

For sure, any two balls of same diameter, 100% lead and subject to the same local gravity should weigh exactly the same. For some reason, and I have no idea why, I didn't think Hornady balls were 100% lead to begin with. Thought they contained some nickel or zinc. Hornady doesn't have a lot of information on their website, but maybe they are 100% lead and I'm confusing with something else.

 

[Onojutta]

I shoot hornandy and have never weighed them and I don't think I've noticed a difference but will say every once and a awhile I get a flyer that I wasn't able to call when shooting.

A torn or misplaced patch is also a common reason for a flyer.