Looking to purchase a .732 Round Ball Mold (will a .735 work)

[falllake2000]

Greetings from Minnesota,

Just got a older Pedersoli Brown Bess. The suggested size is .732. Haven't been able to find anything new or used with out ordering from Italy. Any suggestions?

Did find .735 available. Could That be used? Only .003 over spec.
Thanks, falllake2000

[megasupermagnum]

There are two options. JT ball moulds is a very reasonable price, they will make any size. Just know that it is made to their cavity size, and a ball drops about .003" smaller than that. Marty's arm's is another, although they are much more expensive. They will also make custom sizes. If you make it down to Elk River, Track of the Wolf has .715", .735", and .750" balls you can buy to try. TOTW also offers a .710" mold.

I don't know a lot about the brown bess. I'm guessing the recommendations for a .732" ball is for use with a patch. It could also be shot bare, but might not be that accurate. I seem to recall a .690" was the standard military ball size for use in the paper cartridge, and you can get a .690" mold from Lee. I've had good luck with muzzleloading shotguns using near bore size balls with no patch, which in your case a .750" ball should work.

[stubshaft]

I have a number of JT round ball molds up to 8 Bore. That being said, you should slug your bore prior to buying a "recommended" ball size.

[square butte]

A .735 round ball mold from Lyman will work just fine. Adjust your patch thickness to find what works best in your gun. I have a couple of pedersoli bess's. Some folks like .715 better, using a thicker patch material. Lyman makes both sizes.

[mehavey]

Pedersoli Bess works (better than) fine with a 0.735 ball

https://i.postimg.cc/9XbJfq6k/Brown-Bess50yds-sm.jpg

[Gunor]

Jeff Tanner Ball Molds

https://www.ballmoulds.com/