Thanks Yogi. Seems like based on what everyone is saying I won't go too far wrong with a ball .990 to 1.00 and a patch around .015 to .025 or so...give or take .005 either way. You guys have certainly helped me narrow it down a bunch! Thanks. I saw your blunderbuss - very cool!

This gun will be a 30 - 50 yard proposition for me tops and according to my smith should weigh 18+ pounds when done. I have been in contact with a guy who has one in Texas very similar to mine with a 32" barrel and 1:144 rifling and he is getting some amazing velocity out of it. His shoots .975 1380 grain balls (his bore is smaller) and he is getting over 1525 fps out of his... I find that amazing! Probably kicks hard. He said he is at 440 grains powder though...

Would love a 4 bore cartridge gun as well... Read "17 Trips through Somaliland" by Swayne for some good 4 bore stories...

Thx again