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Old March 2, 2008, 08:18 PM   #1
jtaylor
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Should I switch to Conicals in .44 cap & balls?

I'm looking into a new Lee mold since my old .457 ball mold has had it. I will probably go to .454 since the .457 have always loaded hard.
I'm wondering if I should just make the switch to conicals. I'm checking out this: http://www.possibleshop.com/cap-ball-mold.htm " more energy and far greater accuracy than round balls" is this true? I'd like to improve accuracy, who wouldn't
All I've ever shot is round balls and never gave conicals a thought until now. It'd be good to hear from those of you who shoot them. Pros/Cons,
Roundball vs. Conical
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Old March 2, 2008, 08:21 PM   #2
scrat
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I dont know but at those prices i might just get one.
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Old March 2, 2008, 08:33 PM   #3
jtaylor
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Me too, I might just have to try it out for myself. I'm guessing .456 would be the choice for Dragoons and Walkers. I can't imagine how they wouldn't improve accuracy.
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Old March 2, 2008, 08:45 PM   #4
somerled
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I have a Lee Conical mold for .36 cal revolvers that is more than 30 years old. The Lee conicals have always grouped better than balls in my 1851 Navy. They fit a bit snugger in the cylinder and don't shift under recoil. It is getting tougher to find pure lead, however, for casting.
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Old March 2, 2008, 09:11 PM   #5
jtaylor
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I bought a roll of chimney flashing a few years ago and it seems to never run out. Not sure about the price now though, metals are way up! I might have to get out the metal detector and recover all those lead balls.
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Old March 2, 2008, 10:39 PM   #6
bobn
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in my old euroarms navy, the conical seemed to destroy targets better. the round balls were more accurate. bobn
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Old March 3, 2008, 09:33 AM   #7
Steve499
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If you currently have your revolver shooting to point of aim with round balls, you will experience a higher point of impact when you switch to conicals.
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Old March 3, 2008, 10:06 AM   #8
Jbar4Ranch
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Since you mentioned .457" balls, I assume you're shooting a Ruger Old Army. I have seven ROA's and all of them shoot notably better groups with round balls than with conicals.
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Old March 5, 2008, 04:38 PM   #9
drdirk
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I also find the round balls a lot more accurate. A while ago I put out a threat
"conicals suck". Still think that is true
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Old March 5, 2008, 05:13 PM   #10
Hawg
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Conicals are what the military used back in the day. I've been tempted to try them but keep puttin it off.
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Old March 5, 2008, 07:42 PM   #11
jtaylor
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I'll stick to balls in the "cap and balls" I guess. Everything I've read so far say's they're more accurate, plus, if they raise the point of impact, my walker will be shooting a foot high. I have some more shooting to do, but so far I'm considering notching the hammer more.
I use .457 ball in the Dragoon and Walker, but will most likely switch to .454. The last batch I cast in .457 load too hard since I melted some old birdshot in the mix. I'll stick to pure lead from now on and .454 as long as they still shave a little lead.
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Old March 6, 2008, 05:17 PM   #12
jlchucker
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switching from round balls is not worth the trouble, unless you really enjoy standing there casting lead. Hornaday sells excellent round balls in a variety of sizes. They shoot straight over cap n ball distances.
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Old March 6, 2008, 07:57 PM   #13
Hawg
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I cast everything I reload for except 30-06.
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