HF Rubber Ball Mill Grinding -- 45-Cal Lead Balls or Glass Marbles for Black Powder?

[Liberty1776]

Have not made black powder since I was, oh, 12.

I have a Harbor Freight tumbler with its two rubber chambers suitable for milling BP. (I don't use the small rubber chambers for brass cleaning as I built a larger chamber from 4" PVC that holds more and is easier to seal and open.)

Some say "ball mill the BP ingredients using lead balls."

Others say, "use glass marbles."

I have a .45 Cal lead ball mold for my cap and ball Old Army. Are those large enough for effective ball milling?

Should I get a mold for a larger ball? If so, what caliber?

Will standard glass marbles work, or are they too light?

[Red River Rick]

Check the Muzzle Loading section.
There is a number of threads regarding homemade BP that will probably help answer your questions.

RRR

[rancher1913]

there is an entire thread about making your own bp, including photos of various tumblers and balls.

I use 1/2 inch copper pipe pieces filled with lead, you want something that will not disintegrate over time and pollute your powder.