Inline FabricationReloading EverythingLee PrecisionLoad Data
MidSouth Shooters SupplyWidenersTitan ReloadingRepackbox
RotoMetals2
Results 1 to 7 of 7

Thread: New to me t.c. 56 renegade smoothbore

  1. #1
    Boolit Mold VEARL's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Posts
    26

    New to me t.c. 56 renegade smoothbore

    Hello everyone.
    Bought a really nice 56 cal. Thompson center smoothbore.
    Can't find a .550 roundball mould anywhere. Wonder if i could use a .535 round ball with a patch. If so what thickness of patch could i use to get some accuracy out of it.
    Thanks in advance
    vearl

  2. #2
    Boolit Grand Master

    Beagle333's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Back in the woods a piece, just outside Auburn, AL.
    Posts
    5,499
    I use denim (old jeans) for patching a .535 with my 56 smoothie. It's as accurate as I am. I have a .550 roundball mold, and perhaps it's a tiny bit more accurate, but I'm not sure one could tell one from the other in a blindfolded test. It's sure fun to shoot, and fun to load and fun to clean. I do love a smoothie.
    KE4GWE - - - - - - Colt 1860, it just feels right.

  3. #3
    Boolit Master scattershot's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Denver, CO
    Posts
    1,532
    I used to use a .535 ball and a denim patch, as well. With 60 grains of fffG and a Wonder Wad, that thing shot like a rifle. A little hard to load that combo, but man, could it shoot. Congrats.
    "Experience is a series of non-fatal mistakes"


    Disarming is a mistake free people only get to make once...

  4. #4
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
    Location
    Arizona
    Posts
    4,613
    I got Fair Accuracy out of my .56 using a .530 ball , old Denim Jeans for patches.
    I also used 28 ga.
    Shotgun wads cut down.
    I wanted more accuracy at distances of 100 yards , so I had the barrel Re Bored and Rifled to .61 with a 1/66 twist.
    But the .56 is accurate out to 50 yards IMO

  5. #5
    Boolit Master Maven's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Posts
    4,946
    Vearl, I have one of the smoothbore Renegades as well, but find it is more accurate with the .550" RB than the .535". Unfortunately, the former, moulds for which were made by both Lyman and Thompson Center, are hard to find, but show up on occasion on eBay. As for the .535" RB, Lee Precision makes a perfectly satisfactory mould. As suggested, you'll need patch material that's at least .018" thick and some kind of overpowder wad for the best accuracy...if you limit your distance to 60 yds. or so.

  6. #6
    Boolit Master


    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    NH
    Posts
    3,783
    I use .530 ball and a denim patch from my tailored jeans 32" to 27 ". They are .30 thick and shoot great. Near as good as my 54 cal rifled gun at 50 yards

  7. #7
    Boolit Master
    Buzzard II's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Northern New Jersey
    Posts
    514
    Vearl,
    Keep looking as they are out there. Place a Wanted ad too. Good luck.
    Bob
    SMOKELESS IS JUST A PASSING FAD!-STEVE GARBE


    FORMER NJ HUNTER EDUCATION INSTRUCTOR
    GOA LIFE MEMBER
    SASS LIFE MEMBER

    ADAPT, IMPROVISE, OVERCOME!
    "ANY MAN WHO THINKS HE CAN BE HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS BY LETTING THE GOVERNMENT TAKE CARE OF HIM, BETTER TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THE AMERICAN INDIAN!"-HENRY FORD

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check