Author Topic: Corn meal under a patched ball?  (Read 480 times)

Offline Scota4570

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Corn meal under a patched ball?
« on: March 05, 2025, 10:01:08 PM »
The corn meal shotgun wad discussion makes me think of this idea.  I have been struggling with a rifle that was tight in the breech.  I suspect the person who cut the breech threads crushed the barrel in the lathe chuck.  I have it 99% fixed by lapping.  Is there any reason not to drop enough cornmeal on the powder to make a better seal around the patch?  Any chance of ringing the barrel for instance?  It is 62 caliber and I was thinking of a 2 3/4 dram by volume scoop of corn meal over about 90 grains of 2F.   

Offline Daryl

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Re: Corn meal under a patched ball?
« Reply #1 on: March 05, 2025, 10:34:37 PM »
It would only act as a wad, due to pressing the patched ball into it.
I would suggest a 20 bore white felt wad from Track might also work and be easier to use.
Daryl

"a gun without hammers is like a spaniel without ears" King George V

Offline Habu

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Re: Corn meal under a patched ball?
« Reply #2 on: March 06, 2025, 04:01:33 AM »
I've used cornmeal on top of the powder to move the ball forward of breech erosion.  No problems with ringing the barrel, but I am careful to seat the ball firmly on the cornmeal.  The amount of cornmeal to use will depend on how far you are trying to move the ball forward.  At first glance 2 3/4 drams seems like a lot of filler, but I've used that much to move a ball forward a couple inches in a .49 caliber rifle. 

Offline axelp

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Re: Corn meal under a patched ball?
« Reply #3 on: March 06, 2025, 06:40:18 PM »
It might be easier to load if the cornmeal was made into cornbread cookie in a properly size like a fibre wad. Be sure to butter it liberally. It can also be used as a snack on the trail. ok Just kidding but...
Galations 2:20

Offline rich pierce

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Re: Corn meal under a patched ball?
« Reply #4 on: March 06, 2025, 07:00:10 PM »
It might be easier to load if the cornmeal was made into cornbread cookie in a properly size like a fibre wad. Be sure to butter it liberally. It can also be used as a snack on the trail. ok Just kidding but...
Maybe roll it into tubes then bake it and slice into lengths. What you don’t use, you eat. Could be a winner at rondy.

Pretty nice day here. If the sap isn’t running fast I might go to the range and experiment a bit.
Andover, Vermont

Offline recurve

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Re: Corn meal under a patched ball?
« Reply #5 on: March 06, 2025, 09:08:02 PM »
some use a felt wad or double patch ( a patch under the patch and ball)