where to find .26 cal roundball

[mountainman70]

Hi Y'all, I have a build going with an antique barrel of aprox 28 cal at the muzzle. About 15" down on the 36' barrel, the bore tightens up gradually. I have tried ,283 balls and cant get in the muzzle. Track don't show a .26 ball. So, what can a ol man do ?Thanks for any help. Best regards,as always, Dave F

[Daryl]

Check the diameters on Hornady pure lead buckshot.
Likely they produce something close. I found the normal
5% antimony buckshot of theirs too hard to load in my .32,
however, a pure lead ball of the same diameter didn't even
need a short starter.

[mountainman70]

Sounds good Daryl. I had another old timer that used  buckshot, about the same size. Y'all keeping warm up there? How is Taylor? Best regards, dave f

[Daryl]

He's OK- I guess. Seems OK. This was a couple days ago.

He's the Red-Coat in leggings and breech-clout, and he managed a prize or two.
sry for the fuzzy pictures. Looked focused to me, in my "state of affairs".




 

[Scota4570]

Hornady #4 buckshot is 0.240".

Long ago I made a caplock 22 cal rifle.  Benjamin air rifle shot was a hair too large.  I made a simple sizing die to  make the ball the right size to patch.   It was slightly egg shaped but shot well. 

[Daryl]

Just checked - they do not make #3.  #4 used to be .280". About the only thing to do, is to Google some custom mould makers.
I do not think J. Tanner Moulds would make one that small. Fiddling with that huge sprue would be a night-mare.
You might have to put up with a grossly undersized #4 Hornady buck shot. That would suck.

[okieboy]

 You might take a look at this maker.

https://www.martysarms.com/

[mountainman70]

Thanks Daryl, ol hivernan be rite sportin lookin feller. Face seems happy, y'all sharin that stuff as what messes up the Focus" Hahahha,
Been outta focus many times at such doins'. Prime times,bros,rite Prime Times.
Thanks for the info guys. I might get someone to bore the barrel out to 45 or 50 cal. Should lighten it up a good bit.
Keep cool. Dave

[Old Salt]

Number 4 buck shot is .24 That should work if your patching is not to thick

[Anonymous]

Ballistics Products (https://www.ballisticproducts.com/mobile/Super-Buck-Lead-00-8-lb_jar-330/productinfo/SBK20/).  Looks like 3-1/2 buck is what you want. Use their 1-1/2 buck in my 32. It’s a smidge harder than pure lead, but the tree rats can’t tell the difference.  About $40 for an eight pound bottle.

[mountainman70]

Thanks all. For no more than it is going to be shot, I am going to buy a box of 12 guage # 4s and get them that way.
I appreciate all your help. Have a goodun. Dave F

[Daryl]

Anony -- good chart - Super Buck 3 1/2 or 2 at .270 looks perfect for a .28 rifle.

[Mike from OK]

Ballistics Products (https://www.ballisticproducts.com/mobile/Super-Buck-Lead-00-8-lb_jar-330/productinfo/SBK20/).  Looks like 3-1/2 buck is what you want. Use their 1-1/2 buck in my 32. It’s a smidge harder than pure lead, but the tree rats can’t tell the difference.  About $40 for an eight pound bottle.

I looked at that same product a while back and decided to pass on it... Have you had good results loading it in your .32?

Mike

[Levy]

I've had good luck with Ballistic Products buckshot.  I've used #4 buck at .24 cal. and a bullet retrieved from a squirrels head was flattened out like paper after going through the skull.  It may be harder, but works for me.  I've used #1 1/2 buck In my .32 and it seems to work okay for me too.  I have a bottle of .26 cal buck, but haven't tried any of it yet.  James Levy

[Daryl]

I tried the Hornady 0 buck (.320") and they were too hard in alloy for my .32. On the other hand, I purchased a Lee DC .319"RB mould which cast
.320" x .320" in my X-ray room sheeting lead. These loaded easily.
Last week, I was shooting .360" pure lead balls in my .36 Rice barrel as a test.  A bare ball will just barely sit on top of the muzzle, so this Rice barrel has a slightly
tight bore. These balls loaded just as easily as the .350's, with the same .020" patches. I had one of the shooters in our group seat one and she remarked how easily
the patched ball went down.  I was using Mr.Flintlock's lube that day.(Squirrel Match @ Hefley Crk.)