AmericanLongRifles Forums

General discussion => Black Powder Shooting => Topic started by: Jakob on March 04, 2022, 04:49:54 AM

Title: .62 Cal (rifled) ball size?
Post by: Jakob on March 04, 2022, 04:49:54 AM

I'm shopping for a mold for my next build, which is a .62 cal Jaeger.
Barrel is a Rice barrel, square bottomed rifling and googling gives me a variety of sizes, from .595 to .610 size balls.
My only other experience is from my .54 cal Lymans GPR, where I happily use a .535 ball with 0.18 pillow ticking patch, so I don't have a whole lot of experience to form an opinion from.
Opinions, advice would be much appreciated.

Title: Re: .62 Cal (rifled) ball size?
Post by: EC121 on March 04, 2022, 05:03:31 AM

For its easy loading I use a .595 ball with a thick patch.  Others use a .600 ball  or even a .610.  It would be better to buy some balls from TOTW to see which one you like before buying a mold.

Title: Re: .62 Cal (rifled) ball size?
Post by: snapper on March 04, 2022, 05:07:39 AM

EC121 is giving great advice.   You wont know for sure until you try some.   I just got a .62 a couple of months ago, have not shot it yet, however the .60 balls that came with it seem a little loose for what I normally load.

Fleener

Title: Re: .62 Cal (rifled) ball size?
Post by: Ted Kramer on March 04, 2022, 05:18:49 AM

I’ve had two .62’s, one with an Orion barrel and one with a Rayl. .610’s with an .018 patch loaded nicely in both but the patch never survived the trip w/o burning through in either  barrel. Going to a .600 ball and a heavy denim patch worked great, loaded nicely and the patches came out intact. Try a few combinations and you’ll find what works best. Good luck.
Ted K

Title: Re: .62 Cal (rifled) ball size?
Post by: smylee grouch on March 04, 2022, 05:58:43 AM

A 610 was kinda tight in my Getz 62 but was a real champ in my Carpenter 62. Previous reply about getting some different sized balls is good advice. Make sure you smooth the crown to help load tighter combos.

Title: Re: .62 Cal (rifled) ball size?
Post by: Daryl on March 04, 2022, 07:58:03 AM

This one gets a .615" ball and 10 ounce (.021" denim patch).

Loads easily. The "trick" is the crown & a short starter.

(https://i.ibb.co/bFWz7Mp/18.jpg) (https://ibb.co/T1vmrxz)

Title: Re: .62 Cal (rifled) ball size?
Post by: Jakob on March 04, 2022, 08:47:21 AM

That all makes far too much sense (trying sizes). I was, of course, hoping to avoid paying shipping charges (Being in Canada), but I might as well just bite the bullet. (hah!)

Title: Re: .62 Cal (rifled) ball size?
Post by: Bigmon on March 04, 2022, 09:32:36 PM

Jakob,
If you pay the shipping I would be glad to send you a dozen or so each .600 and.610's.  I have Lyman molds for each and there is an unbelieable difference.  It would at least save you the cost of the balls themselves.
Just PM me.

Title: Re: .62 Cal (rifled) ball size?
Post by: D. Taylor Sapergia on March 04, 2022, 09:39:20 PM

I'll make you the same offer Jakob.  I'm in Prince George,BC, and have molds for .590, .595, .600, and .610.  My Lyman .610 mold throws balls at .613" and they are perfect for my Rice .62 cal barrel on my Hawken rifle, with .021" patches.  I take it you're somewhere in the Lower Mainland?

Title: Re: .62 Cal (rifled) ball size?
Post by: Jakob on March 04, 2022, 09:56:38 PM

You guys are all far too kind.
I'm in Vancouver, so I'll take you up on your offer, Taylor!.

Title: Re: .62 Cal (rifled) ball size?
Post by: D. Taylor Sapergia on March 08, 2022, 09:05:10 PM

Jakob:  send me your mailing address via pm please.