AmericanLongRifles Forums

General discussion => Black Powder Shooting => Topic started by: snapper on May 08, 2021, 03:45:43 PM

Title: Shooting belted balls
Post by: snapper on May 08, 2021, 03:45:43 PM

I have no experience with belted balls.   

I am looking at a belted ball rifle that is for sale.

For those that have experience with shooting belted balls, do you use a patch or no patch?   If you dont use a patch, do you experience leading in the grove?

What about accuracy?

I see Tanner's make belted ball molds.

Thanks

Fleener

Title: Re: Shooting belted balls
Post by: Dennis Daigger on May 08, 2021, 07:06:25 PM

You might contact Steve Bertram. He is an experienced and knowledgeable belted ball shooter that freely shares information. The Double Gun and Nitroexpress forums have a noteworthy presence of muzzleloader shooters and searches there should also provide information on belted balls.

Steve's contact info is at: http://www.bertramandco.com/

Title: Re: Shooting belted balls
Post by: Daryl on May 08, 2021, 07:12:09 PM

One of our BC shooters from the Island (Vancouver Isl) showed up at Hefley Creek Rendezvous one year, with a Purdy .52 belted ball rifle.
As with 'back in the day', he also shot with with a cloth patched belted ball. I do not know what the tolerances were, but would expect it allowed
a substantial patch of at least .015" thickness. I am sure he used at least that thickness of patch.

Title: Re: Shooting belted balls
Post by: T*O*F on May 08, 2021, 09:55:46 PM

Quote

One of our BC shooters from the Island (Vancouver Isl) showed up at Hefley Creek Rendezvous one year

That wasn't Doug Miller, was it?  I know he had restored a couple to shooting condition.  Haven't heard from him in a while.

Title: Re: Shooting belted balls
Post by: smylee grouch on May 08, 2021, 10:18:22 PM

My mind is a little foggy today but is this the Brunswick style?

Title: Re: Shooting belted balls
Post by: snapper on May 08, 2021, 10:42:50 PM

Dennis

Thanks for the info.   I reached out to him and he replied back.   Did not get much out of him other then he uses a patch and that he would buy another belted ball rifle.

Thanks

Fleener

Title: Re: Shooting belted balls
Post by: Daryl on May 08, 2021, 11:56:36 PM

Quote from: T*O*F on May 08, 2021, 09:55:46 PM

Quote

One of our BC shooters from the Island (Vancouver Isl) showed up at Hefley Creek Rendezvous one year

That wasn't Doug Miller, was it?  I know he had restored a couple to shooting condition.  Haven't heard from him in a while.

Yes, it most certainly was, Doug, Dave. Haven't seen him since Rendezvous BC 2019, I guess. I'm sure he was here.

Title: Re: Shooting belted balls
Post by: yulzari on May 12, 2021, 11:48:31 PM

The short answer is yes. With a patch. Both belted round ball and winged conical.