Are there any BP rifles that use the .457 rb that the ruger old army uses?
- Thread starter tallpaul
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troy fairweather
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A 50cal with bed ticking.
arcticap
Member
Are there any BP rifles that use the .457 rb that the ruger old army uses?
I was thinking it would be a decent idea to have or make one... I think casting up a bunch of rb for the old army would be enough incentive
Hornady makes Hard Balls that have received great reviews. --->>> https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1002235281
They consist of a .485 ball in a sabot, which may be a special size sabot.
I'm curious if the results can be duplicated with a commercial sabot and another size ball that will fit in it.
For instance, MMP makes an orange sabot for a .457 - .458 bullet that will work in any .50 caliber rifle. --->>> https://mmpsabots.com/store/hph-sabot-series/
And there's factory round balls made for the Ruger Old Army that measure .457 that would fit.
Whether that combination would work as well as the Hard Ball is anyone's guess.
If you try the combination let us know how they work.
I will be a while in this experiment... I have the old army but did not get my 6 cavity mold yet--- its on the list but I am just planning at this point. I was pondering and wass just thinking a proper sized bore to use normal patching thickness would make sense. I want "cheap" so am not looking for a sabot load...
I use mostly .50 cal bp rifles at this point and just ordered a six cavity mold for them- to go with my singles and doubles... I have some lead to melt down into ingots and might as well cast a bunch while I am at it .... and I think they will store well
I use mostly .50 cal bp rifles at this point and just ordered a six cavity mold for them- to go with my singles and doubles... I have some lead to melt down into ingots and might as well cast a bunch while I am at it .... and I think they will store well
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J-Bar
Member
Some cowboy action shooters have been known to use a .45 lead ball in a .45 Colt case, crimping beyond the diameter to hold the ball in the case. So that way it could be fired from a lever gun chambered for .45 Colt. Not recommending it, just saying it’s been done.
Dave Markowitz
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You'd need at least two layers of ticking in a .50 if shooting a .457 ball.
Ugly Sauce
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Not sure, but I think a barrel can be bored or reamed out to just about any size, by someone who bores and rifles barrels, don't think it would have to be any of the "standard" bore sizes. ?
Ugly Sauce
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That can work. I can get "decent", "hunting" accuracy shooting .575" balls in my .62 caliber Jeager, using denim for patching. Denim also works fine for shooting .690" ball in my .75" caliber Bess.
woodnbow
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Bobby Hoyt will bore and rifle a barrel to whatever dimensions you require.
That is very good to know as I know he charges extremely reasonable fees and all are quite happy with his work.
woodnbow
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I can’t believe how reasonable his rates are. Although I’m sure he’s learned a few shortcuts along the way. I’d need to charge five times what he does to turn out an inferior product... ;-) glad he’s here for us. Hope he’s training an apprentice!
maybe @TheOutlawKid needs to move to Pennsylvania for a few years??
arcticap
Member
An MLF thread described how they used a combination of 2 patches to fire .445 patched balls from a .50 rifle.
So it could also be done with .457 balls.
Using 2 .015 patches would bring the total diameter to .517.
Using 2 .010 patches would bring the total diameter to .497.
Using 1 .015 patch and 1 .010 patch would bring the total diameter to .507.
Using 1 .018 and 1 .015 patch would bring the total diameter to .523.
Using 1 .018 patch and 1 .010 patch would bring the total diameter to .513.
Using 2 .018 patches would bring the total diameter to .529.
It's not easy to predict how much the patches will compress when trying to load them.
It can depend on the material and the type and amount of lube which adds to the total diameter when the patches are saturated
A thicker lube will add more diameter than a thinner lube.
A person would probably want to buy all 3 patch thickness to try several different combinations along with one or two different lubes.
There are also .020 and .005 commercial patches.
Add the two numbers together and then double it, and then add that number to the .457 ball diameter to get the total diameter with patches.
Commercial pillow ticking patches have a thickness of .018.
Many pre-cut shooting patches and supplies can be purchased here: --->>> https://www.emshootingsupplies.com/store.html#/
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