[clc]

What diameter round ball mold should I get for my flintlock rifle? I have the pedersoli .50 flintlock with 1:48 twist barrel.

 

[mauser06]

Best bet would probably be to slug the bore...


I have 2 50cal barrels...a TC and a Green Mountain...

The TC I couldn't pound a .500" Thor into the muzzle...the Green Mountain I an start a .501" Thor with my thumb...


Shooting lead I've loaded .503" no Excuse Conicals in the Green Mountain without an issue and they create a nice tight seal...

 

[clc]

So I take it .490" and .495" molds would be for barrels that run slightly smaller in diameter? I'm noticing the .50 cal round ball molds jump from .500" to .520", .530" etc.

I'm all set up to pour jigs so I plan on picking up a mold soon.

 

[mauser06]

I was assuming a bullet mold...


In the case of round ball it'd be .490 could try .495 but they were too tight even with thin patches for my liking...


With a .490 you can try varying patch thickness till you see what performs best...


Lead hardness, patch thickness, ball diameter etc all factor in...use a different.490 ball mold, harder or softer lead, different patch. Different lube etc and you will likely see different results...

 

[clc]

Sorry, I edited my OP to say round ball mold.

 

[tdd]

RB's you can sort of pick your diameter and run with it, but you'll need to fuss with patch thickness to get the right combo.

My suggestion would be to try a few store bought round balls in 490 and 495 and see what your rifle prefers before committing to a mold. It's not a huge expense, but why buy it twice?

 

[410-er]

Doesn't hurt to get both a .490 and a .495 mold.Then go out and find what it likes.

 

[Blue Bird]

I have always bought a mold that is ten thousanths under bore diameter. Then as was said play with patch thickness until you get a workable combination.

A .490 ball with .015 patch usually does the trick for me.