New Shooter ball and patch combo question

[newknapper]

Hello, I’ve had a Chambers Mark Silver .62 cal for quite some time and I want to take it hunting this season. My question is when I measured the bore it looks like it’s .610 from land to land across the middle. It’s got round bottom grooves also. What patch ball combo would some of you recommend to shoot? Also, all I have is 3Ffg powder, will that be ok to shoot in it? Thank you.

[bob in the woods]

My Chambers .62   Edward Marshall has a shorter barrel, but has the rounded grooves etc.  It likes a .600 cast ball with a .018 patch.  Standard load for me is 100 gr FFg
What do you intend to hunt ?      You'll want to be spending some time at the range to work with loads and get your gun sighted in.   I've used 80 gr  to 100 gr of 3F in a pinch, but prefer 2 F

[Daryl]

I'll second Bob's suggestion on patch & likely load as well, but would likely use a thicker patch myself, likely 10 ounce Denim.
The powder charge will end up being what works best for you at the range you choose, but I would not use less than 80gr.
to start load development. Also, I would use 2FG.  3f builds pressure quite a bit more quickly than will 2F and due to that, will
demand a tighter ball and patch combination at any velocity level than what will work with 2F.
With 3F, start at about 75gr., but do check ALL your patches.  Go up 5gr. at a time to find the most accurate load. Taking a picture
of them and posting that here, will lend further assistance if needed. Change only one thing at a time. If your patches are holing,
burning or have brown scorch marks form the grooves, you will need thicker patching for that load.
For hunting, you will need a grease (bear, or Track's Mink Oil) or an oil like Neetsfoot Oil for a patch lube.  Any water based lube is
not for hunting as it will rot your bore.

[newknapper]

Thanks, I intend on hunting deer here in Georgia. I’m gonna try to limit my shots to 50 yards. Only reason I was wanting to use the 3fg is nowhere around here where I live carries black powder.

[Daryl]

75/80gr. will work just fine, then, I expect.  However, testing other loads is a good idea.
In a .62, 60 or 65gr. is likely sub-sonic and with a BIG arching trajectory.  If you are possibly
shooting at 100yards, light charges need to be tested at all intermediate ranges to find how
to hold at the range needed.