.520 Round ball

[PAT303]

Does anyone know if any mold maker makes a .520 RB mold.I have a tight bored 54 that needs this size ball but it is a very uncommon size.Thanks for your help Pat

[jtaylor1960]

Buffalo Arms lists a .520 RB mold from RCBS.It must be a special order because it's price is about $120 US.But being an RCBS you should be able to get one faily easily.Good Luck!

[725]

$120 - Wow. For less money, I would try Jeff Tanner ( www.jt-bullet-moulds.co.uk ) . He'll make you a custom mould, to your size, (ie. - .519, .520, .521, etc). I only have one of his moulds, but have cast 5 or 6 others that belong to friends and they do a wonderful job. They are different and made out of brass. Delivery time was in the 2 - 3 week range if I remember correctly. I highly recommend them.

[northmn]

You can buy 520 and 526 round balls already cast from Track of the Wolf. Before you spend too much on a mold you might want to order some and try them. At one time someone made a 52 "Santa Fe Hawken" I believe it was called. Good luck.

Northmn

[RBak]

You can buy 520 and 526 round balls already cast from Track of the Wolf. Before you spend too much on a mold you might want to order some and try them. .....

Northmn

Personally, I think Northmn has given some very sound advise.

FWIW: Quite often we hear of, or even witness, that magic patch'n ball combination that is a sure fire winner in a rifle that belongs to someone else, but when it comes time for us to use that same combination we end up disappointed because it somehow doesn't work out just right....and, if it should work just fine, Jeff Tanner will make you one for the half the cost of many store bought.

Russ...

[mooman76]

Have you tried a thinner patch or is there not enough room left?

[PAT303]

Have you tried a thinner patch or is there not enough room left?

That is my problem.I have tried thinner patches but my rifle doesn't like them.I have tried all types of material in the .015-.017 range but I still get the perfect 5 holes in the fired patch every time.If I go up to .020 it is very difficult to load but the patches are good enough to re-use.I would like to use the .520 ball .020 patch combo.I think knowing that I will get the odd ball out of the group is hurting my confidence in the rifle which is annoying because even with cut patches it can hold the 10 ring at 50 with all but one or two flyers. Pat

[mooman76]

Maybe you can find a stronger thin material that will work if you can't get a mould. Is your twist rate good enough to hold a conical? Also if your gun is fairly new and not broken in it will have rough spots that will cut the patch or maybe lapping the barrel is an option maybe?

[madcaster]

I am currently teasing Pat303 with an Ideal .520" ball mould.It's fun!:bigsmyl2:

[northmn]

If you can use patches in the 015 range more or less I really doubt if a smaller ball thicker patch will help accuracy. Ideas include:
Checking the crown to insure that it loads evenly and isn't getting cut at the muzzle.
Steel wool the barrel to get rid of any sharp spots and smooth it out.
What is your load? Are you using a heavy load and 3f?.
Patch material is very important. I prefer a very tight weave as loose weave patches do what you describe. I used to use muslin and cotton duck.

Good luck

Northmn

[Dakota's Dad]

Some ".54's" are very tight... I shoot with a guy who HAS to use a .520 and a .10 patch. You can't hardly pound a .530 ball into it, bare. Let alone load one with a patch.

[chuebner]

I have a Sante Fe Hawken that is 53 cal. and it only likes a .520 ball. A .526 needs a little pounding and a .530 a lot of pounding and I end up blowing patches. Unfortunately the fellow I got the rifle from shot Pyrodex in it and was not too scrupulous about a proper cleaning regimen. Rifle was beautiful on the outside when I got it but the bore looked like the proverbial sewer pipe.

charlie