What dia. ball for a 40

[stone knife]

what dia. ball works best in a 40 cal. 1:48 twist.

[smylee grouch]

390-395-398-400-405      depends on the barrel and patch Etc.

[stone knife]

.010 patch.

[roundball]

what dia. ball works best in a 40 cal. 1:48 twist.

In my GM .40cal x 1:48", I use Hornady .395" + .018" pillow ticking...extremely accurate

[Daryl]

.010 patch.

In my humble opinion, .010" is useless as a patch or for cleaning and is not thick enough to be absorbent enoughto work as a shop rag, either.

My .40, with 48" twist likes a .395" ball with .022" denim patch, or a .398" ball with same thick patch or a very thin .018" ticking patch, or a .400" ball with any of the listed patches.

[hanshi]

My .40 does well with a .390 ball and .020 patch.  Loads easy so I plan on trying a .395 asap.

[Swampwalker]

I'm currently using .395 cast ball with .016 patch.  I will probably be changing to the same ball with a .02 patch, or try a .398 cast ball (if I can find a mould).  I've never had any luck with patches under .015".

[xring2245]

I have gotten good results with both .389" and .395' balls with .018" pillow ticking patch lubed with Lehigh Valley Lube.  The 395s shoot a little higher and tighter than the .389s, but both are accurate.  I just got a new mould that throws .392" balls and will try them as well.

Whatever you do, use a thick patch and confirm the diameter of the balls you test.

James

[Militant_Hillbilly]

A .400 cast ball and .10 patches shoot fine for me in my GM barrel.

[stone knife]

.010 patch.

In my humble opinion, .010" is useless as a patch or for cleaning and is not thick enough to be absorbent enoughto work as a shop rag, either.

My .40, with 48" twist likes a .395" ball with .022" denim patch, or a .398" ball with same thick patch or a very thin .018" ticking patch, or a .400" ball with any of the listed patches.

This is why I asked

[Frizzen]

.410 and .020 patching load and shoot GREAT in my GM barrel.

[Daryl]

Incidently, my .40 has a .398" bore.  The .398's, as cast in pure lead from my .395" mould, will not roll down it alone, yet can be easily pressed into the bore below flush with the nub on the short starter and then pushed down to the powder with only the rod.  The starter actually isn't needed - when using the .0225" patch.

I do use the starter normally, as it's faster and easier than using just the rod due to having to choke up close with the rod alone.

[David R. Pennington]

First time out Sat. with a new .40 GM and all I had was .395 and .017 ticking. A little tighter than I like to load but shoots pretty good. If I can get my load worked out should do OK.

[38_Cal]

My 7 groove Douglas/Log Cabin Shop 1-48" barrel prefers .390" with .017" ticking in the field, but for match use I use the same patch and .398" ball.  Minute of wabbit vs. X-ring...though the eyes don't hold as well as in the past...

David

[caliber45]

Taking Daryl's advice (bigger balls, tighter patches), and using my usual GM .40 barrels, I changed from .395 balls to .400 balls, retaining the .21 or .22 pillow ticking patches (with spit), and managed to reduce by 50-yard groups by about half. Takes a bit more "whack" to get the .400 ball started into the barrel, but it's worth the bother. -- paulallen, tucson az

[Daryl]

Way to go Paul. It works, but as of now, we have another serious competitor.

 It has been suggested by some that we stop pushing guys to try tighter combinations along with smoothing their crowns. I have considered it, but so far resist!  If making such a small step increases one's pleasure in shooting it's certainly worth it. We're tired of the winner's circle anyway?

[Leatherbelly]

   Daryls,
   Don't you get tired of spilling the beans? Don't bother these guys no more with great info. Many hear but few listen anyways. Loose loads are great for starting fires,fouling bores and gives the barrel washers something to do while contemplating "WHY" they missed! 10 to 12 thou patches work fine with a .490 RB.