TC Maxi-Ball mould .54 cal

[Huntsman]

So I have said mould which came with a Thompson Center New Englander I had one time.
These sounded deadly when they smacked iron plates at 50 and 75 yards but never was able to connect with big game. Man where they accurate too with 80grs 2F Goex, felt wad spacer.
So my problem now is all my sidelocks are slow twists.
Hmmm what to do...???
I did spy a TC Renegade in fairly nice condition.

[mooman76]

Have you tried Lee REALs? They are made for slower twists.

[markX]

Well there’s always room for another renegade! Give em a shot out of the slow twist, might be surprised

[Chill Wills]

I think you should give the T-C maxi-ball a fair shot in your slow twist 54-rifles.
Since the seventies I have hunted with a 54cal Lyman Great Plains rifle - twist 1 in 60. I feel like it was as accurate as anything. I wore the muzzle out after all this time and got an almost drop in Hunter barrel on it now. 1 in 32 I think.
I am not finding a good load for it with the maxi and really think the old barrel 1 in 60 was very accurate! I may cut some off the old barrel and put it back on!

[Huntsman]

Have you tried Lee REALs? They are made for slower twists.

I have the REAL in 50 & 54. Just looking for an excuse to buy another smokepole ;)
But now you mention it, My slow twist 1:70 might stabilize a REAL?

[DW475]

I have the T/C Maxi Ball mold for my .54 Renegade and Hawkins. Casted a bunch of bullets and they shot OK. Also have a round ball mold and found the accuracy was outstanding in both smoke poles so the Maxi Ball mold is collecting dust!

[winelover]

I have the TC 54 maxi ball mould for my Renegade. It's as accurate as the patched round ball. However, I don't shoot it much anymore......the increased recoil is the issue. The round ball is plenty for deer.

Winelover

[triggerhappy243]

54 cal. 435 gr. Maxi-ball 90 gr. Pyrodex 100 yards.

[Huntsman]

54 cal. 435 gr. Maxi-ball 90 gr. Pyrodex 100 yards.

Ain’t nothing wrong with that group.

[triggerhappy243]

Huntsman, can you post a picture of the cavity of your mold?

[stubshaft]

My 2 Renegades prefer the Lyman Great Plains boolits, but my shoulder prefers PRB...

[Huntsman]

Huntsman, can you post a picture of the cavity of your mold?

Here it is;
http://i67.tinypic.com/28tj9g2.jpg

[triggerhappy243]

i have 3 molds just like this design. I have cast a few with each mold. and they all cast a bit different in regards to weight. maybe this summer i can cast some to shoot and see what i can make happen.

[Fastleo]

I did not realize that mold was available in different weights... I have a t-c load manual and it only shows one weight for 54 cal maxi ball. I have one of these molds but I have never weighed a bullet.

[OverMax]

Have only one Renegade 54. It's my designated maxi shooter. With experimentation I found there is a slight dia. difference between Lyman & T/C cast. Once I learned that. My rifle was targeted with T/C maxi cast only. Those Lyman maxi molds I have._Been lubed and stored away long term.

[Nit Wit]

I have killed moose and bear with T/C Maxi-Balls. up here in Maine. Great bullets!
Nit Wit

[Huntsman]

I have killed moose and bear with T/C Maxi-Balls. up here in Maine. Great bullets!
Nit Wit

That would be awesomely gratifying, WOW :D
It looks like either a round ball .50 or .58 this fall. The .54 Hawken with 1:48 twist will have to wait another year as I couldnt walk away from a TC Hawken in .50 just last weekend at a gun show.

[Nick10Ring]

I got a Lyman .54 MAXI mold for my Renegade and have had good results with Pyrodex powder.

[Huntsman]

I got a Lyman .54 MAXI mold for my Renegade and have had good results with Pyrodex powder.

Are you using any felt wad at all?

[Gray Fox]

I have that mold in .50 and .54. The last year or so I have been using felt wads cut from the felt the lady in Alabama sells. I do not lube the patches. It does seem to help accuracy. I also use the wads when I'm playing with heavy loads with patched round ball to keep from burning through patches. Sam Fadala in his Black Powder Loading Manual wrote that he used crumbled paper wasp nest material between the powder and patched ball in his custom .54 round ball gun to accomplish the same thing as he said the old timers did it that way. He was shooting 120 grains of 2f and reported he killed a bison with it. That would be a heck of a load. GF