How do I find out the size of the .44 ball needed?

dgray64 · March 20, 2008, 05:12 PM

I just ordered an 1851 Confederate from Cabelas today. I was going to get the starter kit, but after reading the reviews, didn't. Now I wish I could tell the size of ball needed so I could gather up some supplies as this is my first black powder gun.

Second, what powder do you recommend? I know that there are modern replacements for black powder, and would like to use one. Which should I choose? Thanks.

Dave

Hawg · March 20, 2008, 05:44 PM

.454 I use Pyrodex cuz it's the cheapest. Real black is best.

long rider · March 20, 2008, 05:53 PM

As hawg said 454 and some wiil take 451.
Real bp i use schuetzen and goex cowboy
and goex 3fff and 2ff.
Sub i use jim shockeys gold 3fff
777 3fff 2ff.
goex pinnacle 3fff.
These are the powders i like to shoot.

DrLaw · March 20, 2008, 05:55 PM

Borrow a caliper. Check the inside diameter of the chambers. Then get a ball that is a couple thousands bigger than the diameter of the chamber. If the chamber is .440, get a .445 to .45 ball. If it is .45, get a .454 ball.

The thing is that you want a ring of lead to shave off the ball as it is pressed into the chamber. This helps to keep the fire from one chamber explosion from going into another chamber and setting off a chain fire.

You also need to check out the stickies on loading cap and ball guns, and find some Bore Butter or felt wads to fit.

The Doc is out now.

Hawg · March 20, 2008, 06:33 PM

I have yet to see a .44 revolver take a ball smaller than .451. Some do ok with .451 but all will take a .454, some need a .457. Rugers require them.

Fingers McGee · March 20, 2008, 06:38 PM

I use .454s in all my .44 cal C&Bs. Eliminates the guesswork and ensures a good tight fit.

long rider · March 20, 2008, 07:06 PM

I had a 51 a long time ago from cabelas,
it would not take a 454 and the 451 was
tight.
my remmys one takes 454 while the other
takes a 457.

Hawg · March 20, 2008, 07:13 PM

Yeah, it's tuff trying to squeeze a .451 ball into a .375 chamber. Just kidding

long rider · March 20, 2008, 07:31 PM

Well i will tell you what i will be stufing this friday,
it will be my brand new 36 cal rem new army with
hornady 375 round balls and 15 grns of goex pin.
HOW ABOUT THAT THEN.

Hawg · March 20, 2008, 07:42 PM

Cool

Raider2000 · March 20, 2008, 08:15 PM

Now my Pietta 1860, mind you it was made 25 or so years ago, has a chamber bore of .455 & slugging the barrel made it a .454 so I've been casting .457 ball since.
My older Pietta 1858 has a chamber of .451 & the barrel slugged at .4505 it would take a .454 ball but since my .457's are pure lead they work perfectly, & my new Pietta 5.5" 1858 has a chamber of .4513 & the barrel slugged at .4504 so of corse I still use the .457 balls also because they weigh a few grains more too.

In most cases a .454 ball will do the trick but there will be a rare few like my old 1860 or if you had gotten a Ruger O.A. a .457 ball would be a better choice.

scrat · March 20, 2008, 09:05 PM

Depends on where you live. Here in Kalifornia. Black powder is cheaper than both pyrodex and triple 777. So i just use Goex. Until i start making my own.

March 20, 2008, 05:12 PM	#1
dgray64 Member Join Date: August 27, 2007 Location: Central Texas Posts: 47	How do I find out the size of the .44 ball needed? I just ordered an 1851 Confederate from Cabelas today. I was going to get the starter kit, but after reading the reviews, didn't. Now I wish I could tell the size of ball needed so I could gather up some supplies as this is my first black powder gun. Second, what powder do you recommend? I know that there are modern replacements for black powder, and would like to use one. Which should I choose? Thanks. Dave

March 20, 2008, 05:53 PM	#3
long rider Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2008 Posts: 669	As hawg said 454 and some wiil take 451. Real bp i use schuetzen and goex cowboy and goex 3fff and 2ff. Sub i use jim shockeys gold 3fff 777 3fff 2ff. goex pinnacle 3fff. These are the powders i like to shoot. __________________ Sod Buster Tried To Pull On Willson.

March 20, 2008, 05:55 PM	#4
DrLaw Senior Member Join Date: June 3, 2007 Location: Wild Western Illinois Posts: 559	Measuring Borrow a caliper. Check the inside diameter of the chambers. Then get a ball that is a couple thousands bigger than the diameter of the chamber. If the chamber is .440, get a .445 to .45 ball. If it is .45, get a .454 ball. The thing is that you want a ring of lead to shave off the ball as it is pressed into the chamber. This helps to keep the fire from one chamber explosion from going into another chamber and setting off a chain fire. You also need to check out the stickies on loading cap and ball guns, and find some Bore Butter or felt wads to fit. The Doc is out now.

March 20, 2008, 06:38 PM	#6
Fingers McGee Senior Member Join Date: March 19, 2008 Location: High & Dry in Missouri Ozarks Posts: 2,113	I use .454s in all my .44 cal C&Bs. Eliminates the guesswork and ensures a good tight fit. __________________ Fingers (Show Me MO smoke) McGee - AKA Man of Many Colts - Alter ego of Diabolical Ken; SASS Regulator 28564-L-TG; Rangemaster and stage writer extraordinaire; Frontiersman, Pistoleer, NRA Endowment Life, NMLRA, SAF, CCRKBA, STORM 327, SV115; Charter member, Central Ozarks Western Shooters Cynic: A blackguard whose faulty vision see things as they are, not as they should be. Ambrose Bierce

March 20, 2008, 07:06 PM	#7
long rider Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2008 Posts: 669	I had a 51 a long time ago from cabelas, it would not take a 454 and the 451 was tight. my remmys one takes 454 while the other takes a 457. __________________ Sod Buster Tried To Pull On Willson.

March 20, 2008, 05:44 PM	#2
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	.454 I use Pyrodex cuz it's the cheapest. Real black is best.

March 20, 2008, 06:33 PM	#5
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	I have yet to see a .44 revolver take a ball smaller than .451. Some do ok with .451 but all will take a .454, some need a .457. Rugers require them.

March 20, 2008, 07:13 PM	#8
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	Yeah, it's tuff trying to squeeze a .451 ball into a .375 chamber. Just kidding

March 20, 2008, 07:31 PM	#9
long rider Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2008 Posts: 669	Well i will tell you what i will be stufing this friday, it will be my brand new 36 cal rem new army with hornady 375 round balls and 15 grns of goex pin. HOW ABOUT THAT THEN. __________________ Sod Buster Tried To Pull On Willson.

March 20, 2008, 07:42 PM	#10
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	Cool

March 20, 2008, 08:15 PM	#11
Raider2000 Senior Member Join Date: July 23, 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 719	Now my Pietta 1860, mind you it was made 25 or so years ago, has a chamber bore of .455 & slugging the barrel made it a .454 so I've been casting .457 ball since. My older Pietta 1858 has a chamber of .451 & the barrel slugged at .4505 it would take a .454 ball but since my .457's are pure lead they work perfectly, & my new Pietta 5.5" 1858 has a chamber of .4513 & the barrel slugged at .4504 so of corse I still use the .457 balls also because they weigh a few grains more too. In most cases a .454 ball will do the trick but there will be a rare few like my old 1860 or if you had gotten a Ruger O.A. a .457 ball would be a better choice.

March 20, 2008, 09:05 PM	#12
scrat Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2008 Posts: 214	Depends on where you live. Here in Kalifornia. Black powder is cheaper than both pyrodex and triple 777. So i just use Goex. Until i start making my own.