AmericanLongRifles Forums
General discussion => Black Powder Shooting => Topic started by: Bill Weedman on August 25, 2017, 12:28:46 AM
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Where would I find or who would make a .290 ball mold. I just acquired a old rifle and now need a small ball mold before I can shoot it.
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The closest I have found was a Lee mold in .285. I know that you can get what you need from Jeff Tanner. He is in England and does a nice job very reasonably.
Mark
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Wweedman,
What does it mike land to land?
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One of the Missouri Boys (he was set up next to Maupin at the CLA Show) makes .290 bag molds and I bought one of them last year. Sorry I can't remember his name. He makes some real nice accoutrments. You could also just buy a jar of .29 cal. buckshot, I did. James Levy
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Larry Callahan, is his name. You may call him at 1 (636) 475 7444, if he's busy, he'll get back to you. You can also order from his website
bagmolds.com Very nice guy, great to do business with, fine product, fast turnaround. You won't be sorry, I promise you. Well I guess I don't know his website, just type Larry Callahan Rifles and Accoutrements, and hit search.
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http://www.bagmolds.com/
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Lee does not list the .285 mold.
I have ordered molds from Jeff Tanner before and that is likely what I will do. Jeff makes a good mold.
I have not made a cast of the bore. I used drill bits as a plug gauge and a .290 bit will go in but a .295 will go in about 3/4 inch and stop. I believe that the bore is coned for easier loading.
I have used buckshot before but I would rather use soft lead. Buckshot is hardened with antimony. Also anything other than #4 bad OO is hard to find. Casting will be easy.
Thanks for your help
Bill
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I have used buckshot before but I would rather use soft lead. Buckshot is hardened with antimony.
Hornady used to sell buckshot that was soft lead and came in 1 lb containers. You might try to locate that. It's not usually advertised.
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Hornady does not list it and the websit now says it is hardened with antimony. The bore cleaned up well and with further measurement I thin that I need a .285 mold. Lee no longer makes anything that size and the buckshot molds are not the right size.
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I have used buckshot before but I would rather use soft lead. Buckshot is hardened with antimony.
Hornady used to sell buckshot that was soft lead and came in 1 lb containers. You might try to locate that. It's not usually advertised.
I've never found any buckshot that wasn't listed as hardened from any source anywhere. I looked for a while, but it has been a year or two.
Personally don't care to cut that many sprues (Tanner or Callahan mould) and was going to call Eddie May (ball maker) when I actually get the .30 bore ready to shoot. Interested in what you come up with either way. I have no idea if Eddie has that ball size in inventory or not, I won't bother him until I have cash ready.
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You can make a simple sizing die to whatever diameter you want. An oversized ball will come out with a belt, the belt does not matter. It will load and shoot fine.