.454 vs .451 round balls

[skyhunter]

I know one 1860 Army manufacturer recommends .454 balls for their pistols. About the .451 RB, is there enough lead to create a seal. I know that is a concern for chain fire from the front with loose fit RB. But if using an over wad like Ox-Yoke's wonder wads is that still a concern?

[Der Gebirgsjager]

Having myself experienced some cylinder chain fires in the past, I would recommend going with the manufacturer's recommendation as to ball size. I do use lubed wads, but over the powder and under the ball. Welcome to the Castboolits Forum!

DG

[skyhunter]

I use semolina under the ball and wonder wads over. But I am goofy.

Anyone interested in a 100 box of Hornaday .451 balls? :roll:

[sharps4590]

They should be about straight lead, melt them down and alloy them to something you use.

[Pine Baron]

General rule of thumb. Pietta's take .451, Uberti take .454 and ROA take .457. YMMV. Best to slug the bore for what you got and try for .002 over. A-S-S-uming your using pure lead and proper fitting caps. Lube over/under or not used at all is a separate discussion.

[skyhunter]

I have a Pietta 1860 Army and had a box of .451 laying around but the manual online I just read stated .454 balls.

[Pine Baron]

I have a Pietta 1860 Army and had a box of .451 laying around but the manual online I just read stated .454 balls.

Here's a thought. You could powder coat those .451s and see if it bumps up the dia. (I might have to try that myself and see if I can get that old box of Hornadays to work in my Remy).

[John Taylor]

Many of the Italian BP pistols have an oversize bore with an undersize cylinder. I have reamed out many cylinders to get the bore about .001 over the groove diameter of the barrel. The other trick is to radius the front of the cylinder so you don't have a lead ring after pushing the ball in. Ball size should be a few thou over the cylinder bore diameter.

[Mk42gunner]

One thing I have done with every cap and ball revolver that I have ever owned is to verify the balls are large enough before I ever tried to load with powder. This can be done by simply pressing the ball(s) into each chamber as if you were really loading it.

No problem with getting them out, just take out the cones and push the balls out with a small diameter ramrod. Seems like I used a section of GI .22 cal rod, that or a long 1/8 or 3/16" pin punch.

If you get a lead ring from each chamber, you are fine. If not go up in diameter.

Also, how do you get the wonder wads to stay on over the ball???? They are designed to be loaded between the powder and ball.

Robert

[freakonaleash]

I use .457's in all my percussion revolvers

[StrawHat]

Reread what John Taylor wrote. You might need to ream those cylinders!

Kevin

[higgins]

I had a Pietta with .447 chamber mouths and a .446-.447 bore groove diameter. I had already bought a .454 mold but sold it and got a .451. It was way too difficult to seat a .454 ball.

[Kentucky146]

I know from experience, either Pietta Or Uberti I want to use the largest ball that will fit, without ripping up loading lever. If .375 is recommended I will try a .380 if .451 I will try the .454 and .457 as to see to fit for my needs and liking, I learned it over the years playing around one day thinking I was being a "Goof" trying to be funny while working on a Load for an 1851 Navy in .44 Was not so funny with about 5 inch group with .451, I went let me jam some .454s we will get it better, almost soiled me shorts with a 2.5-inch group from the same distance, so if manufacture specs say .36 cal use .375 try playing .375 to .380 and see what works best for the gun, you and powder load, I found myself amazed.

[Battis]

.451s are not large enough for my .44s. .454s are .457s are perfect for my ROA but put too much pressure on the loading lever of the 1860 Colt or Remington.
I have a Savage and North .36. Normally, a .380 ball works in a cap and ball .36 but they are too small for the S&N. So, I give the .380 roundballs a slight smack with a hammer to expand them. Then again, I'm only looking for reasonable accuracy with this gun (or any cap and ball gun).

[Thumbcocker]

I use .457's in all my percussion revolvers

As do I.