Quote:

---

Daryl s

I take it that the patched round ball would also be suitable for a rifled 12 bore barrel as well as it would prevent leading and would be more forgiving in size tolerance than an unpatched ball. Would the patched ball obtain the same pressures as an unpatched ball in a rifled 12 bore barrel? Would the flannelette cleaning cloth be a suitable patching material?

Thanks

---

If patched tightly enough, they should shoot fairly well in a rifled 12 if not pushed too hard. Most modern rifled 12's have twists appropriate for shooting conicals, not round balls. A twist of 66" or slower will work well with round balls - in fact, would be excellent. With RB's the slower the twist, the faster you can drive them. Of course, recoil will increase.

I would use a thin denim like 6oz. rather then a weak cloth like flannel, but- depending on ball size and groove depth. The denim is much stronger. Here, denim fabric is available by the meter in 'weights'. They measure something like this, using a michrometer - 6oz= .013" ; 8oz= .017" to .018"; 10 oz.= .020" to .0215" and 12 oz= .0235" to .0240". The variations are due to different makes and slightly different weaves. For lubrication, if using black powder, use a thinned black powder bullet lube like SPG or Lyman's Back Powder Gold thinned with 100% neetsfoot oil or olive oil - or merely beeswax/olive oil about 50/50 - whatever viscosity you want, depending on temps. The lubed patch in the top of the 'shell' will also seal quite well against moisture intrusion.

I use the 10oz denim for both my muzzleloading rifles and also used it for the patched ball loads for the 16 bore's, 13 bore straight rifled barrel.(yeah- sounds strange) I've 25 rounds ready for testing, but haven't been to the range yet - it's snowed in and I hate packing a bunch of stuff when on misery slippers - (unlike 9.3x57).

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

Post Extras