Originally Posted by
sabotloader
OldBuckstalker1187
I really wonder myself what is going on. In all of my TC 50 cal barrels I use a .490 ball and a .015 patch - I certainly could use the 18 but the only time I shoot PRB's are for play and Rondies.
If the gun smith slugged your bore and found it correct - i am wondering if you might have got some .495 dropped in the wrong box.... Did you take any of the balls to the gun smith?
Another question... have you rolled a just a ball down the barrel?
Do you have a mic... have you measured the diameter of the balls?
Just some thoughts off the top of my head....
I did not take any of the balls to the gunsmith. I did run the balls down the barrel they roll down with space on each side. one thing I did notice the lead seems to be very dark, almost black. The box of bullets says they are swaged ( not cast ) I spoke with a gentleman who actually used to swage muzzleloader maxi and mini balls but he said he had alot of customers complaining that after time, the bullets went out of round and didn't keep their shape very well. After talking to him, I noticed that the balls were extremely bumpy and not perfectly round. I dont have a micrometer, I am going to be getting one because i will be starting to cast my own conicals very soon.