what size lubed patch?

[mrlizzzard]

My .50 Sidekick needs some breaking in with lead balls.Does anyone know what thickness of lubed patch will work and is >490 the correct ball?
thx,
lizzzard

[Busta]

The NEF's have a .501 land to land bore, .510 in the grooves. With a .490 ball, you are probably going to want something in the .015 to .018 range. All bores have slight variations, you may need more or less, but the above should get you in the Ball Park. With that being said, I haven't shot round balls since the 1980's, so take it for what it's worth. I have never shot round balls in my Huntsman. The twist rate is to fast for optimum round ball accuracy, however with very light charges it should do fairly well I would think. For your purpose of just breaking in the gun, accuracy should be a moot point, unless you intend to use them for hunting.

[Longcruise]

My .50 Sidekick needs some breaking in with lead balls.Does anyone know what thickness of lubed patch will work and is >490 the correct ball?
thx,
lizzzard

That's going to be a slow break-in.  Probably about 300 shots.  At least that's what most round ball barrels need unless they have been lapped.

You will probably do better to put some JB borepast on a tight patch with your jag and give it about 100 full strokes changing the patch about every ten strokes.

Another alternative is to firelap with some lead conicals and something like the Wheeler firelap kit available from Midway.  About 20 shots will do the trick and is very effective.

Don't write off the accuracy of round balls in the fast twist till you have tried them.  Would not be the first time someone discovered fine accuracy with round balls in a fast twist  barrel, even with the larger charges.

It's common to see even the "compromise" twist 1/48 guns relegated to the inaccurate category as a matter of course on the internet.  OTOH, guys who shoot them find they are very accurate with the round ball.