Antique Rifle In .38

[Mule Brain]

Probably built in the 1850's, what would be the suggested round ball size for .38 back in the day?

   

[Daryl]

A .38 cal. ball would be called an 85 to the pound or 82.4gr.
The 85 to the pound rifle would maybe use a 90 (.373") or 92 (.370") to the pound ball.
The accuracy of these well undersized balls would likely not be great. For plank or chunk shoots, larger diameter balls would likely be used.

[Mule Brain]

Using a slug, land to land reads .375.  I think patched a .370 will be too large. Track carries .358 and .360, and not sure the .360 would work   

It actually may be closer to .380

[Daryl]

You said it was a .38. I took that to mean .380".
Our "standard" is a ball .005" under bore size.
I had a .32, I used .311' and .320" balls in that one.  I have a .36, I use .350" and .360" in that one.
 I had a .40 (actual .398") in which I used .398" and .400" balls.
All of these were used with 10 ounce denim of .021" and .0225" as well as a mattress ticking we found, at .0235".
I fail to see any problem with using a ball that is bore size, or slightly smaller.
The smaller diameter balls are easily "formed"/swaged, into the rifling with the patch, as long as the crown does not cut the patch.
We have used .508" with .020" denim in Taylor's .50 Virginia with the .016" rounded rifling, as well as I have used .690's in my .69, with the .021" patch.
They take a good whack with your palm on the starter's knob to seat into the muzzle. After that, it's relatively easy.
If the bore is smooth - NP, if it isn't smooth, then smooth it up.

[Hungry Horse]

 I ended up with a modern barrel off some import muzzleloader that was .38 caliber. It not only was an unusual caliber, it also was on the wrong side of 13/16” for mechanical inletting of the barrel. But the ball mold issue got cured by using one of those little brass pistol molds that are almost always undersized for cap and ball revolvers. They run a little different in size depending on who makes them, but with a nice thin patch, they shot pretty good. I tried the bullet from the same mold, but it’s not long enough to stabilize in a rifle barrel.


Hungry Horse

[Daryl]

Using a slug, land to land reads .375.  I think patched a .370 will be too large. Track carries .358 and .360, and not sure the .360 would work   

It actually may be closer to .380

If it is .375" land to land, then a .370" would be perfect. If closer to .380", I'd be using a .375"mould - it's the common size for .36 Navy cap and ball revolvers.
With a smooth crown, you can simply push the 10 ounce denim patched ball into the muzzle with one hand & I'm a weakening 73 years old. I do that with .360's in my Rice .36 barrel.
I use the 5/16" shafted starter on the right, with the .36 bl.

[Leatherbark]

A smaller ball that is slightly oversize will load easier than a larger ball because less lead has to be displaced when using the short starter.  An example is using a .451 ball and .018 patch in a 45.  Does not load easy.  When using a .400 ball and .018 patch in a 40 caliber, it starts not much harder than a .395 because less lead is displaced.

First, If I were you, I would try using a .375 ball because you can buy them easily.  If it doesn't work out and you don't have a Pietta 1851 Navy to use them (LOL), in then melt the rest and use them in the mold you decide on.

Bob

[Seth Isaacson]

I shoot .375s with .018 or .020 patches and usually around 40 grains of FFFg in my .38 caliber rifle (contemporary, not antique) and have good results although I'm still working on the most accurate load.

[snrub47]

I have an old original barrel in 38 cal., actually about .378, hornady .375 are a little tight but it shoot good.

[Keith Zimmerman]

I use a .375 and 20th spit patch in mine.  I think I shoot 40 or 45gr 3F Shuetzen.  I cant remember.

[Mule Brain]

I spoke with Eddie May about this, and I think the rifle is a .37 caliber and will order .360 ball from him to do testing

[wolf]

mule brain, to do the testing i know where there is a range not far from you. the old man that owns it and lives in a cabin on the property has friends come by to shoot and test guns all the time. he is a little off his rocker and grouchy but a fun person to be around. PM me and i will give you directions to his abode,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[Daryl]

I don't know how you can make a decent guess on a proper ball size when you really don't know what the bore size actually is.