Any muzzle loader guys out there?

[MissouriBullet]

I need some advice. As you probably know, we offer a couple of roundball products (.440, .451, and 487.) They have been steady sellers all along and Graf's buys a lot of the .487's on a regular basis. And now since Muzzleloader Magazine did a feature on us this month, we have gotten a lot more interest going.

So, first I want to expand our roundball line with something suitable for the .54. I don't know what diameter that bore needs. But you muzzleloader guys do, so I am asking. I'm thinking a .520, but really don't know for sure. Help!

Next, I want to do a .54 Minie bullet. Which diameter and mould is best for that one? Magma Engineering is out of the roundball mould business and they never offered Minie moulds, so I will be using RCBS or Saeco moulds for the roundball and Minie, modified by Magma to work in our Mark 7's and 8's.

As is traditional in cases like this, helpful answers will likely result in some resultant roundball and Minie bullets coming your way

Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you.

Brad

 

[Galil5.56]

My .54 Cal Renegade Flintlock likes either .530" or .535" depending on what patch material I use. Only experience I have with conical is a Lee .54 REAL bullet I have cast for almost 30 years with pure lead. It's accurate, and as I recall it weighs about 390 grains as cast.

 

[Jacka L Ope]

The .54 caliber swaged lead balls that I normally use are .530 diameter, 220 grains.

 

[Galil5.56]

To add a little bit more.

Bullet to the left is a T/C branded Maxi-Ball bought about 32 years ago cast from pure lead; right is a Lee REAL (Rifling Engaged At Loading) conical bullet cast from pure lead. The T/C weighs 419 grains, the Lee 382.

,

Measurements are as follow:

T/C Maxi-Ball

Base .541"
Mid band .541"
Top .545"

Lee REAL

Base .534"
1st band up .540"
2nd band up .546"
Top .5525"

Not sure how this can be applied to a real hollow base Minie, but it may be a start, or help should you go with a solid conical.

Good luck.

 

[MissouriBullet]

My .54 Cal Renegade Flintlock likes either .530" or .535" depending on what patch material I use. Only experience I have with conical is a Lee .54 REAL bullet I have cast for almost 30 years with pure lead. It's accurate, and as I recall it weighs about 390 grains as cast.

.530 or .535 - which is the more popular for that gun, do you think?

 

[Galil5.56]

.530" balls are a lot more common in my neck of Western PA in my experience.

 

[bullseye308]

Call Lee, or Lyman, or any mold makers and see if they will tell you what most folks are buying for their front stuffers. Don't tell them who you are and you might get lucky. Call Graf's, Midway, Midsouth or others and ask them which is their bigger sellers. It's worth a shot.

 

[Galil5.56]

While on the subject of muzzleloading projectiles, you might consider .490" for the 50 cal RB's, and seeing if Magma can get you molds that leave a LOT less sprue, especially for the 45 cal balls. All they would have to do is lower the cherry from the top edge of the block while cutting, and nearly eliminate the sprue like Lee does. Maybe high volume flow rate is the reason for the large sprue, just the same I think most muzzle loaders would like the change, especially those who are used to/like swaged balls.

Lastly, a BHN of 5 sounds like it could be pure lead?... If so, I would rather see "Pure Lead" instead of a BHN number, and I bet others would too. I hope you take this in the spirit of helpfulness, and that your business continues to thrive.

 

[MissouriBullet]

Magma's out of the roundball business. Competely. I'm looking hard at Lyman now.

We have the last set of Magma's .487's, which Mike Nesbitt of Muzzleloader Magazine used to fine effect (with 15/1000th's patches) in his .50, so we're happy with our .50 caliber offering.

5 BHN is pure lead, yes. I could easily add the 'Pure Lead' note to the description for those who aren't in the know. Thank you for your suggestion!