Paper Patching Maxi Balls

[hornady308]

I recently picked up an absolutely lovely .45 Lyman "Plains Rifle" that was made in 1974. I cast maxis using a Lyman 2-cav 454616 that drop at 225 grains and work great in a TC Hawken and a H&A buggy rifle. Naturally, these should also work in the Plains Rifle, right? No. Too loose. Only the top band touches the barrel. I couldn't hit the target at 50 yards. Since I had no alternative projectiles with me I was stuck trying to figure out what to do. The only possible solution I could think of is paper patching, but I'd never actually done it before. I wrapped two times around the lower two bands and hit the black at the middle of the target 2 out of three shots at 100 yards. Since I am using open sights with aging eyes, that's pretty darn good. Looks like I'm a convert to the paper patch.
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[charlie b]

Welcome to the club :)

There is a sticky in here about paper patching you should read. Lots of good info.

[jim 44-40]

Without the paper would the maxi slide out of your barrel if you tilt barrel down towards the ground? Also what is the twist on your barrel

[hornady308]

I'm not positive about the twist rate, but I assumed it is 1:48 since it is clearly not a round ball twist. The maxis are loose enough that they will slide out of the barrel all by themselves.

[longcruise]

Powder coat is another alternative.

[Wayne Smith]

Powder coat is another alternative.

Not when you are at the range!

[Geezer in NH]

Paper patch or don't use them. Seems your barrel is a bit larger than a TC. My H&A in 45 call needed .433 balls as the were smaller bored but a PP Lyman .45 minies was good with great accuracy. The TC maxis were so so in every gun I tried them in, so I have never been a fan.

[Mr Peabody]

Look for one of the molds T/C sold for maxi's, they drop larger than the Lyman molds do. In a T/C Hawkin .45 I had the maxi's from the T/C mold shot great, the Lymans not so good.

[yeahbub]

Something I tried with good results was to cloth-patch the base driving band of a TC maxi. My problem was so-so accuracy, presumably due to gas cutting. The cloth patching was a snug fit and accuracy improved considerably.

[Edward]

Lube the lowest band (ONLY) and immediately gain accuracy ! Anymore and the lube destroys balance aside from not being needed ,said by a wise man and easy to prove (along with an felt wad)/Ed