Ball size vs. caliber

[sigshooter]

I have a .490 and a .375 ball mould.

How does this correlate to caliber?

My thought was that the .490 would be used in a .50 cal with a patch making up the difference.

If that is correct, what caliber would the .375 be?

Am I close on this, or have I been sniffing too much gunpowder?

Thanks,
SIG

[drhall762]

You are on the right track. .490 is .49 caliber and yes, it could be patched to a .50 if the .50 is in fact .50. Confused yet? The .375 is mostly used in a .36 caliber BP revolver which is actually larger than .36 caliber. Now are you confused? But some people like larger balls on the order of .380 for their .36 caliber revolvers.

It is not all that bad. Remember, a .357 Magnum and a .38 Spl use essentially the same diameter bullet, but a .38 S&W uses a larger diameter bullet. It's just like anything else, it takes a while to sort out the jargon and the sizes.

[Maven]

SIG, Your assumption that .490" can be used in a .50cal. [rifle] is correct. The .375" ball is typically used in a .36cal. revolver, e.g., a Colts 1851 Navy. The extra Pb (.375" minus nominal .36cal.) is removed when the ball is seated in the cylinder chamber, insuring that it won't move forward under recoil.

[sigshooter]

Thanks guys, not horribly confusing.... I might just go out and find a decent .50 cal, since I can't afford to buy or shoot a metallic .50 cal. Not sure I want to get into the revolver thing, maybe use the ,375 for tradning fodder. Hmmm... more to think about.
SIG

[GARD72977]

50 is not that big for a ML. Try a brown bess. That will make a hole!

[waksupi]

I shoot a .375 ball in my .40 flinter.

[Beerd]

sig,

I like the way you think!
Get a mould first, and then buy a firearm to shoot it with!
..

[sigshooter]

sig,

I like the way you think!
Get a mould first, and then buy a firearm to shoot it with!
..
I knew someone would catch that one.

SIG

[7of7]

... Not sure I want to get into the revolver thing, ....SIG

What's wrong.... chicken that you might get hooked on those cap and ball revolvers?? LOL

[missionary5155]

Good morning
Have an old Dutch built flinter about caliber .81+ that takes a patched caliber .80 ball. Has a "paddle" stock and is a hefty piece to haul around all day. Barrel is 46 inches long. Probably was intended as a wall gun or maybe for flock shooting.
Mike in Peru

[Hanshi]

Thanks guys, not horribly confusing.... I might just go out and find a decent .50 cal, since I can't afford to buy or shoot a metallic .50 cal. Not sure I want to get into the revolver thing, maybe use the ,375 for tradning fodder. Hmmm... more to think about.
SIG



....and while you're at it get yourself a drink!

[shdwlkr]

OK now to muddy the waters even more
that .375 ball is meant for .36 caliber pistols and .38 caliber rifles in the muzzle loading world but it will also work in .375 caliber center fires for a low speed if you will plinker round. Also you can patch it to work in .40 caliber and even 45 caliber black powder rifles. One needs to look at what one has and how to best use it.
That .490 ball patched right will work in a .54 caliber black powder rifle also.
Just more food for thought