Balls

[mec]

My Uberti Remington has .450 Chamber mouths and the .451 balls enter with little resistance and frequentl, no lead shaved. Sound theory would dictate that the .454 Balls would work better because the ball would swage out and engage not only the rifling but the chamber better. I tried to spot check this today. Velocities are about 100 fps faster than the same load with another remington but the 100 degree temperature might have had something to do with that:

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The groups were over an improvised rest on a bench at 50 feet. Neither the target nor the set-up are figured to get the best accuracy from the gun but both balls were shot under the same circumstances. In between groups and five round chronograph strings, I swabbed the barrel

The results can be taken as identical. The .451 actually showed just a bit nice group and more consistent velociites althoug another session could show the opposit results.

It may be that over a long string, the bigger ball might be better. From time to time,using minimal sized balls,I have run into one that is undersized. These slip in to the chamber with little or no grip and go wild on target. If all the balls are just a little bit bigger than the chamber though, it may be that there is no advantage to going several thousanths larger

 

[mec]

Well, My old Photo host is off again. The moderator has lost interest.
Here's the picture:

 

[Edgeofthewoods]

Nice groups. I have a Pietta Remington. Mine just plain did not like the .451 balls. but loves the .454. Also it is more than acceptable with the Lee conical. I just add in a bit more heel than the mold casts. Pyrodex does give me a bit better velocity then FFFg but I just like the old stuff better. But I do like the pellets for fast reloads. By using a hot glue gun with low temp stics I put a drop on a conical and then stick it to the pellet. This is then wraped in cigerette paper and the completed load is stored in a a .45ACP bullet case.. The accuracy of this load is not quite that of the loose powder and ball but at 25 yards it will keep it ina torso cutout.

Chuck

 

[mec]

That's an interesting sounding cartridge Idea.

We get variable results with pyrodex and Goex fffg. First Pyrodex will produce higher velocities then, loading from the same cans, the black wil be out front. The lowest extreme spreads (velocity) have come with fffg but sometimes pyrodex shows more consistency. The only clear difference is that the black powder puts down more fouling.

 

[mec]

more balls

This Uberti Army also has .450 chamber mouths and Land to land-measured/slugged and not guessed at. The .451 Balls seat rather easily but do not walk forward with recoil. They do not shave a ring. The .454s do shave a ring and seat moderately easily.

This time, I took a bit of care with the rest and target selection:

The advantage to the smaller ball is not great and may even be random but I would not get too upset if limited to one or the other.

Also noteworthy that the 30 grain/vol pyrodex charge compresse quite a lot and the ball is seated deep in the chamber. If there would be an advantage to using filler to reduce the jump, I would not be able to benefit from or even detect, the increased accuracy.

 

[Dr.Rob]

My Colt Navy shaves a LOT off a .375 round ball... while my Pietta Army barely shaves a ring in .451.

I like the pellet/ctg idea. I might have to try it.

 

[Edgeofthewoods]

Dr.Rob My Colt Navy shaves a LOT off a .375 round ball... while my Pietta Army barely shaves a ring in .451.

I like the pellet/ctg idea. I might have to try it.

It works pretty well. I was abit unclear I said I stored them in .45 ACP cases, I ment to see I use the styrofoam or plastic box shell holder that they come in!!!.

I do like em for fast loads but I just don't like the report. The BP gives a dull "boom" where as the P Pellets give a sharp bark. Kind of unpleasent even though the ear plugs. The recoil is sharper. I had to adjust my POA but that is expected when switching loads.


Chuck