Round Ball & Patch Sizing
 

As some of you may remember I recently bought a Thompon Renegade in .54 cal with a Douglas barrel. I have read through many posts and do understand that it will need to be tested to find the right combo of patch size, round ball size and powder. I have measured the bore at the muzzle and it came in right at .540. My thoughts are that a .535 round ball and .018 pillow ticking might be the best place to start but would like your thoughts.

Still trying to decide between black powder, pyrodex or 777 also.

Thank you

Mark

I doubt you will be able to use a .018 patch with a .535 You will probably need to use a .530 ball and a .018 or use a .010 and a .535 Or find your own patch material that is about .012 -.013 and the .535 .

I doubt that will fit. I've never been able to use anything but a .010 patch with a .535 ball.

.530 ball, and .015 or .018 patch is another option.

I'd go with a .530 ball and try .015 and .018 patches...

Stick with either real black powder or Pyrodex RS...Some have had problems with 777 burning through patches...I have used 80grs FFF Goex behind a .530 ball for a few decades on deer with no problems...

777 has never burned thru my .018 yellow prelubed pillow ticking patches. Many looked reuseable after picking them up off the ground and that was using the hotter-still FFF 777.

Like most others have stated here, I'm in the same group that believe you are probably looking at a .530 ball and either .015 linen or .018 pillow ticking.

What powder?..... I use real blackpowder these days...... Schuetzen or Goex FFF. I got tired of seized nipples and seized cleanout screws from 777.

...says Triple Se7en!:busted:

Got any pics of that Shenandoah?



OP- when I had a .54 Renegade I couldn't find anything bigger than .530 ball locally, patched with .015 it was accurate.
What twist is your barrel?

I can only mention that in my 4 Renegades, never go to the bigger ball. I purchased a mold to cast .530 and .535 ball. I learned quickly, even with a .015 patch that the .535 was way too tight. The ones I loaded I had to basically drive them down the barrel onto the powder with a mallet.. so I could shoot them off and then never tried again. But the .535 do shoot well in a Lyman, Cabela's Investarms .54 rifle.

I would go with the .530 ball and that .018 patch. It will load real snug and shoot just fine.

I don't own a digital camera, nor have I ever taken a picture from my phone. So posting that pic online is not a go right now. I use traditional 35-mil for my at-home pics and have them developed, just like years ago.

My screen name here came on-board around 11 years ago, when I used 777. I do not believe I have an option to change it.

Hey, I'm a 777 fan, myself!

I recently came this close to trading for a Traditions Pennsylvania which, imo, is a good looking rifle. Shenandoah's gotta be a looker too?

The powder performed flawlessly. I had no compalints about ignition, power and speeds.

Here's a store pic of the Shenandoah.
http://media.midwayusa.com/productim...669/669614.jpg

Never liked the 777 powder. It leaves a scum ring that is hard to get by for multiple shots. I like Pyrex first and Geox 2f second. A .530 ball and .015 patch works great for me.

Thank you all for your insight and expertise. I will start with a .530 roundball with .018 pillow ticking patch. I am leaning toward Goex black powder or Pyrodex. The comment I heard about using 777 and having items stick or freeze due to it reminded me about a time when one of my Omega's breech plug was so stuck it seemed like it would never come out again.

Thanks again!

Mark

I'm not trying to steer anyone off one powder and onto another. In regards to 777, if you purchase a small tube of shotgun choke tube lube, the small nozzle works great for applying lube on nipples and cleanout screw threads. That little tube will last many years, if that's all you use it for.

I just got tired of the necessary rituals associated with 777, when using either a sidehammer or an inline.

Omega, If you have the option to get .010", .015" and the .018" patching I would start at with the thinnest and work your way up. IMO you don't want to use the thickest patch and end up being in the same situation Cayugad was in and have to hammer the ball down the bore to get it over the charge.
You want to be able to push the ball/patch down the bore with a fair amount of resistance (after using your short starter) and not have to bust a gut doing it.
In my patch and ball shooters I want a combo that I have to start with a smart smack of the short starter and a good then a good firm push with the 4" end of the starter. After that, if I had to guess, I would estimate that I was using about 15 - 20 lbs of pressure to smoothly push it the rest of the way down to the charge.

I use a felt wad over the powder than load the PRB. I think it gives a better gas seal.