What ball mould?

[DaveC]

Hi, I am very new to all of this muzzle loading.
Just waiting for my variation to come back and when it does I will be getting a 44 1858 target. I would like to cast my own balls (I am not new to casting) but I know it seems like a stupid question but what size mould do I need? Do I just need a 44 ball mould?

Thanks

Dave

[loiner1965]

.454 or .457 as both will work

[series2a]

445 mould As bore is .440 .45 moulds will be too tight if using loading arm on pistol.

[series2a]

445 mould As bore is .440 .45 moulds will be too tight if using loading arm on pistol.

[enfield2band]

As said .454". It is commonly used. It has to be bigger so it takes a shaving of lead off the ball, approx .015", so it seals the chamber on the cylinder.

Any bullet or ball for a muzzleloader needs to be pure lead. Bullet alloy with tin is too hard.

[series2a]

15 thou is too much if trying to use Ram on Pistol it will bend the Lever arm. I always remove cylinder and load on a Jig using a six cylinder loader available from Kranks.

[enfield2band]

15 thou is too much if trying to use Ram on Pistol it will bend the Lever arm. I always remove cylinder and load on a Jig using a six cylinder loader available from Kranks.

I have been ramming the balls into a pistol for a number of years and never had a problem.

.454" ball is generally used on .44" calibre, and .375" ball on .36".

Perhaps your loading lever on the model of pistol you have is a smaller diameter or thickness than a lot of guns?

It is not practical on some guns to remove the cylinder each time it is loaded. It is convenient if you can though.