Roundball Newbie Question

[TKO]

I have a 1 in 48" twist TC Firestorm and want to try roundball shooting for some inexpensive shooting.

I purchased 50 Hornady .490 diameter (they also had .495) swaged lead balls and some 0.10" thick lubed patches.

My question is that I saw patches from 0.10 through 0.18" thickness and I wonder now if I picked the right ones.  TC was the company that had the 0.18"  I know that my grooves are shallower than say a dedicated round ball barrel, so that is why I went with the thinner patch.  Did I screw up?

Any suggestions on a load for the roundball and FFG?

[PA-Joe]

The only way to get the best RB and patch combination for your gun it to try a bunch of them. If this is your first year start with the 10 since it is easier to load. Then change to a ticker one and see if the groups size is reduced. Also retreave some fired patches to see how much they have burned or if there are any cuts or blowbys. Keep going thicker until you have a hard time loading. It helps to use one wet and one cleaning patch between reloads.

PS 50 grains is all you need for most NA game. Start there. As with the patches increase powder until you find the charge that makes the best group size. Too much and your groups will open up and you will have lots of soot.

[rollingb]

TKO,.... I think you'll find yore "patch-ball" combination a liddle "loose" and, accuracy somewhat lacking. I'd suggest try'n the thicker patchs, with the .490 balls, fact is, you may even find the .495 with thicker patchs to be the most accurate in yore individual rifle (hardly ever, do 2 rifles "like" the exact same combinations of, ball-size, patch thickness, lube, powder-charge, and etc.).

Also check the "integrity" of yore fired patchs while at the shoot'n range. If yore recovered "fired patchs" are charred with holes in'em (or, better described as "blown patchs") the "combination" isn't right. Recovered patchs should look to be in perfect condition with only a liddle "discoloration"!

I've also heard reports of the TC precut patchs not be'n of uniform thickness, and may not be exactly the thickness labled on the package. Most dedicated "roundball shooters" find ther patch material in fabric stores (some of us even take our "calipers" along when shop'n for pillow-tick'n).  

Avoid "blown patchs", and find the powder charge thet gives you the most accuracy (you do have an "adjustable powder-measure", don't you?), and you'll be shoot'n "bullseyes" in no time.

I'd start out with a powder-charge of 50 grs. for starters, and increase the charge at 5 grn. intrevals to see what yore groups do, they should shrink slightly then open back up as you reach the point thet you need to start back the other way to finally settle on the "powder charge" she likes the best.

If you ever do buy pillow tick'n from a fabric store, be sure'n wash it a couple'a times before use'n it for "patch'n",.... wash'n it removes the "sizeing" (starch) in the material.

All this be'n said,.... traditional muzzleload'n rifles are "simple creatures" and, none of it is "rocket-science".

Take care, and have fun!!

[rollingb]

PA-Joe,.... Sorry thet my post sounds like an "echo" of yore's, I was "peck'n with one finger" and warn't aware of the excellent advice you were give'n TKO.

[Jerry/PA]

Hi TKO;

Yes, every rifle is different.  However, I have two T/C's and a couple of buddies have T/C's.

Our experiences with T/C's shallow grooved rifling seems to indicate that our T/C's all like .015 pre-lubed patches more than any thinner patches.

Also, they all group a little better with 70, 75, or 80 grains of Goex FFg.  Any higher charge and accuracy falls off.

If I were to start with a new T/C, I'd start with Hornady .490, a .015 prelubed patch, and 70 grains of Goex 2F.  That should get you in the ballpark.

Jerry.

[TKO]

A big Thank You to all who took the time to reply.  Between your great suggestions and the search feature I have a good place to start.

I hope to shoot this weekend and will post my results. :-)