Cartridge bullets in a cap and ball

berkmberk1 · February 2, 2008, 12:09 AM

Is there any reason NOT to use properly sized lead bullets designed for cartridge arms in a cap and ball weapon?

Thanks

Mike

Hawg · February 2, 2008, 12:21 AM

You might get by using .45 bullets(.452) in a .44 C&B but they're not ideal. The lube grooves are too small, the lead is too hard, they're flat based so loading them straight will be difficult. Conicals made for C&B have tapered bases, wide lube grooves and are pure lead. Hollow based conicals are the most acurate.

Tom2 · February 2, 2008, 03:06 PM

I don't suppose it would hurt anything to try, given right size for your cal., but they should be cast from dead soft lead, not harder alloys like for smokeless guns. The hollow base on some helps due to the lower pressures of BP but solid bases are used in some BP rifle cartridges so I suppose it is a matter of experimentation. But the old designs work for sure.

February 2, 2008, 12:09 AM	#1
berkmberk1 Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2008 Location: Springfield, IL (formerly TX) Posts: 187	Cartridge bullets in a cap and ball Is there any reason NOT to use properly sized lead bullets designed for cartridge arms in a cap and ball weapon? Thanks Mike

February 2, 2008, 03:06 PM	#3
Tom2 Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 5,676	I don't suppose it would hurt anything to try, given right size for your cal., but they should be cast from dead soft lead, not harder alloys like for smokeless guns. The hollow base on some helps due to the lower pressures of BP but solid bases are used in some BP rifle cartridges so I suppose it is a matter of experimentation. But the old designs work for sure. __________________ Your gun is like your nose, it is just wrong for someone else to pick it for you!

February 2, 2008, 12:21 AM	#2
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,189	You might get by using .45 bullets(.452) in a .44 C&B but they're not ideal. The lube grooves are too small, the lead is too hard, they're flat based so loading them straight will be difficult. Conicals made for C&B have tapered bases, wide lube grooves and are pure lead. Hollow based conicals are the most acurate.