OK guys,

My question is: What size round ball mold should a order for my 4-bore single breech-loading shotgun with Jones underlever? The gun was fully restored and is tight, on-face and in excellent condition. The bore diameter is 0.935 inches at the muzzle. Should I order a mold to make a ball of 0.935 inches in diameter (exact bore size) or order a mold a bit smaller (maybe 0.930) and use a patch around the ball. The damascus barrel is very heavy and in excellent shape. I only shoot black powder (8-10 dram loads) of FFg and up to 3 ounces of soft lead shot. I will make the lead balls from pure lead. Thanks in advance for your help.

Never use a patched ball in a smoothbore breechloader!

Rule of thumb is that the ball should EASILY pass through any choke restriction AND fit inside the paper case without swelling it.

So I'd measure both back from the muzzle to see if there is any choke AND the inside diameter of the paper case.

Don't forget that bore-tight diameter is NOT necessary as the wads beneath the ball actually do that and allow the powder charge to impart velocity to the ball!

Probably the best source for info on this sort of thing is Greener's book "The Gun and Its Development" of which online copies are available.

quote:

Originally posted by enfieldspares:
Probably the best source for info on this sort of thing is Greener's book "The Gun and Its Development" of which online copies are available.

And you can find it here: http://www.abebooks.com/servle...evelopment&x=37&y=14 prices from US$4. 03