best brand of round balls

playtheblues · August 10, 2008, 10:02 PM

Hi Folks,

For those of you who don't cast your own, which brand lead balls do you prefer? Who do you recommend ordering them from for best price/service? .451 or .454 for my Pietta 1851 44?
Bill in SC

Raider2000 · August 10, 2008, 10:27 PM

.454's are pretty universal in that for the most part they'll fit most .44 caliber C&B revolvers where as there are a few that may not take the .451.

Speer & Hornady are 2 brands that have been around for a long time & both make a very good product, I've only used Hornady .457's "when some one want's to buy me a Birthday gift, don't they know I make my own

why not a subscription to Bowhunter or Muzzloader magazine

" Sorry, & they shoot quite well for me.

This guy has the best prices around IMO on purchasing Cast Balls/Bullets.

I also like Track of the Wolf for their reliability & service & they do carry Hornady Balls & Bullets.

Fingers McGee · August 10, 2008, 11:54 PM

Quote:

.454's are pretty universal in that for the most part they'll fit most .44 caliber C&B revolvers where as there are a few that may not take the .451.
Speer & Hornady are 2 brands that have been around for a long time & both make a very good product,
This guy has the best prices around IMO on purchasing Cast Balls/Bullets.

+1. For store bought balls - I much prefer the Horandy swaged roundballs over the Speer variety. bpstuff has good balls at a great price & quick delivery. His wads a pretty nice too.

Shotgun Willy · August 11, 2008, 03:20 AM

I used to buy from 'The Cheap Shot Store' on ebay. He had the best prices around. I'm afraid he might have gone out of business though. BP stuff has good prices, but 100 .454's at $8 becomes $19 with shipping.

noelf2 · August 11, 2008, 10:21 AM

But 500 only costs $51 with shipping. He has a flat shipping rate so large orders are a better deal.

Sarge · August 11, 2008, 10:30 AM

I've shot both Hornady and Speer in rifles and couldn't tell any significant difference; I'd say the brand of ball has far less effect than using the proper patch, seating consistency, etc.

I doubt you'll notice any diff at all in a sixgun, where whatever ball you use gets swaged to chamber mouth diameter during the loading process.

long rider · August 11, 2008, 09:17 PM

I get my rbs from sportsmans werehouse till i get to
casting my owen rbs they are about 11 bucks per 100
thats for 454 rbs, i like hornady and speer, i shoot them
in my 58 cap and ball with real bp and i load them for my
conversion cylinder 45 colt, i found that loading rbs in a
45 colt case they shoot really good, so now i am going
to get some 430 Dia rbs for my 44 spl saa.

armedandsafe · August 12, 2008, 01:33 PM

Graf & Sons has free shipping. There is a handling/insurance charge of $4.50. 200 of the 50 cal (.495) roundballs is $28.48 on my door step.

http://www.grafs.com/muzzleloading/3423

Prices look good, when you factor shipping. I have been impressed with their customer service.

Pops

W. C. Quantrill · August 13, 2008, 04:35 PM

If I have to resort to buying some, I look for Hornady.

playtheblues · August 13, 2008, 05:16 PM

I'm all about FREE shipping! Thanks for the link!
Bill in SC

August 10, 2008, 10:02 PM	#1
playtheblues Member Join Date: June 2, 2008 Posts: 84	best brand of round balls Hi Folks, For those of you who don't cast your own, which brand lead balls do you prefer? Who do you recommend ordering them from for best price/service? .451 or .454 for my Pietta 1851 44? Bill in SC

August 11, 2008, 10:30 AM	#6
Sarge Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2002 Location: MO Posts: 5,495	I've shot both Hornady and Speer in rifles and couldn't tell any significant difference; I'd say the brand of ball has far less effect than using the proper patch, seating consistency, etc. I doubt you'll notice any diff at all in a sixgun, where whatever ball you use gets swaged to chamber mouth diameter during the loading process. __________________ People were smarter before the Internet, or imbeciles were harder to notice.

August 10, 2008, 10:27 PM	#2
Raider2000 Senior Member Join Date: July 23, 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 719	.454's are pretty universal in that for the most part they'll fit most .44 caliber C&B revolvers where as there are a few that may not take the .451. Speer & Hornady are 2 brands that have been around for a long time & both make a very good product, I've only used Hornady .457's "when some one want's to buy me a Birthday gift, don't they know I make my own why not a subscription to Bowhunter or Muzzloader magazine " Sorry, & they shoot quite well for me. This guy has the best prices around IMO on purchasing Cast Balls/Bullets. I also like Track of the Wolf for their reliability & service & they do carry Hornady Balls & Bullets.

August 11, 2008, 03:20 AM	#4
Shotgun Willy Member Join Date: May 22, 2007 Location: Oklahoma Territory Posts: 98	I used to buy from 'The Cheap Shot Store' on ebay. He had the best prices around. I'm afraid he might have gone out of business though. BP stuff has good prices, but 100 .454's at $8 becomes $19 with shipping.

August 11, 2008, 10:21 AM	#5
noelf2 Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2008 Location: Stuart, VA Posts: 2,473	But 500 only costs $51 with shipping. He has a flat shipping rate so large orders are a better deal.

August 11, 2008, 09:17 PM	#7
long rider Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2008 Posts: 669	I get my rbs from sportsmans werehouse till i get to casting my owen rbs they are about 11 bucks per 100 thats for 454 rbs, i like hornady and speer, i shoot them in my 58 cap and ball with real bp and i load them for my conversion cylinder 45 colt, i found that loading rbs in a 45 colt case they shoot really good, so now i am going to get some 430 Dia rbs for my 44 spl saa.

August 12, 2008, 01:33 PM	#8
armedandsafe Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2005 Location: Moses Lake WA Posts: 1,001	Graf & Sons has free shipping. There is a handling/insurance charge of $4.50. 200 of the 50 cal (.495) roundballs is $28.48 on my door step. http://www.grafs.com/muzzleloading/3423 Prices look good, when you factor shipping. I have been impressed with their customer service. Pops

August 13, 2008, 04:35 PM	#9
W. C. Quantrill Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2008 Location: No Man's Land Posts: 354	If I have to resort to buying some, I look for Hornady.

August 13, 2008, 05:16 PM	#10
playtheblues Member Join Date: June 2, 2008 Posts: 84	I'm all about FREE shipping! Thanks for the link! Bill in SC