What caliber?

[1989toddm]

I got this round ball mold off ebay (truly fleabay in this case) it casts balls that measure .402-.404 and are on average 100 grains. What caliber would this be for?

[Yodogsandman]

It's been a while but, I think pillow ticking patch material is about .025" thick, double that for covering both sides of the ball. So add about .050" to your ball size. I gave away all my .45 cal muzzle loader stuff last year or I'd go check a ball for you.

[Dryball]

For a .45cal rifle with patch...typically the ball diameter is either .440 or .445. Maybe a .40cal?

[reivertom]

A .40 typically uses a .390 or .395. That mould could be for a custom barrel or an old original in .42 caliber. There weren't standardized sizes in the 1800s, and a gun maker could make any size bore he wanted because he could just make a mould to fit the gun.

[1989toddm]

It was described as being a .429 mold, could I powder coat it up to .429 or is that too much powder?

[BAGTIC]

If you can't find a use for it and decide to get rid of it let me know how much. I have a .40 caliber breech loading gun I might be able to use it in.

[44man]

Most ML's are measured by bore, not grooves. So a .50 will have a .500" bore. Then you add patch. The patch should engrave the ball about .005" in the grooves. So a .500 ball will be best with .012" to .015" patch. As you reduce the ball to .495" the patch must be thicker.
Pillow ticking will run .010" to .012" but you can find Denim thicker.
TC and some ML makers use shallow grooves so recommend smaller balls. Best grooves are .010" deep but many new guns are broached, not cut.
True that a gun maker long ago made the mold for each rifle.
That ball is too small for a .45 and maybe too large for a .40. Maybe made for a .41 to .42 rifle.

[Harter66]

I've a friend that has both a 40 call pistol and rifle that would be very happy with that as both are right at 408.

[Toymaker]

Providing your measurements are correct it's a 40 caliber round ball. And I know someone who would buy it.

[stubert]

Use it for a target load in .40 cal or 10 mm

[1989toddm]

I would rather someone here have it that can use it and find the right size for my gun. Here's the problem guys. It looks to me like someone either repaired it or put the mold on different handles. The handles have a partial name stamped on them, I will get that and post. Because of that repair, the halves don't quite close completely on the bottom side unless ya really put the squeeze one them while pouring. Most of the balls have a couple fins on them plus the sprue. (No sprue plate). I only cast a few with it the other night, maybe didn't get it quite up to temp. So I will try it again and see if I can get better results. Either way anyone who is interested email me at toadrico@gmail.com for pictures.

[1989toddm]

Alright I did some more casting with this the other night and got it to almost stop having fins on the balls. Some had none and some had very small ones. Anyway, I can't load these in my 44 so would any of you guys want it? If so shoot me a PM please. If no deal is made by Monday I'll throw it back on eBay.http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/08/23/3y2u5e5y.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/08/23/ajajy7e8.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/08/23/ega4y9a5.jpg