size differences for 44 balls

Yes, the cylinders will "size" the balls to the appropriate size.
My Pietta 44 army shaves a nice lead ring using 454 balls..
have fun...

Over size balls are ok if soft lead, there is a little extra strain on the loading leaver and arbor to shave that larger lead ring.

I agree, I cast mine out of very soft sheet lead , harder lead would cause undue strain on lever and arbor with bigger balls

Actually Ruger specifies a .457 ball for the Old Army, but what's 1/1000 inch between friends??!!

When I had Pietta open top .44s I used the same .457 balls that I cast for my ROAs with no problem. As long as they are pure lead they work fine.

I shoot .457" balls out of all of my 44 Caliber cap and ball revolvers.

Bigger bearing surface and a better gas seal the way I see it.

Plus I have reamed the chambers on all of my revolvers to .4535" so they seat very easily while still sealing the chamber.

But they also worked well in un reamed chambers too.

They will work fine. Might be a tick harder to seat, but will give you a nice seal and large bearing surface for the rifling to grip.

ball size

A Pietta factory cylinder specs a .451 ball, I use .454 for the added tightness and sealing. The Uberti specs .454, and I found that marginal in some guns, especially if Hornady balls, which are not as round as Speer, I've had them roll out, or move under recoil. I prefer .457, as also used in the Ruger.

Reaming to .453 (19/64) will fit the bore grooves better and require a .457 ball. Many claim much better accuracy with the reamed chambers. You only need to ream as deep as the ball will seat to with your lowest powder charge.

OK, delrom, I fixed it.... My fingers don't always go where I tell them, and I didn't proof read this one.

rcflint said:

A Pietta factory cylinder specs a .451 ballo, I use .545 for the added tightness and sealing. The Uberti specs .454, and I found that marginal in some guns, especially if Hornady balls, which are not as round as Speer, I've had them roll out, or move under recoil. I prefer .457, as also used in the Ruger.

Click to expand...

That will definitely make a tighter fit!

On a serious note, I have shot both .451 and .454 out of my Pietta Army's with no problems, but I prefer the .451's because they are easier to load.

I used to try to keep my 1858 and my ROA balls separate. I don't bother any more. Ive run 452's, 454's and 457's in all of them. Didnt really notice a difference.