Round Ball Size Question

[Al C]

Hi Guys, hope this is the right spot for asking. I recently bought a rifle that has a Goodien barrel, marked .38  Using my dial caliper on it, I got these numbers- groove .398-.400, and land .378-.380, ROT is supposed to be 1/56. What would be a proper size ball to order? It was advertised as having a tapered barrel, these are the spec's I came up with- .890, .875, .870, .870, .885 over a 36" length, sounds like it might have a SLIGHT swamp to it, or an I off base? Thanks for any help you can offer, Al

[Hank12]

I'd guess about .375 to .380 with a patch thick enough to make a tight fit. Hank12

[pathfinder]

Land to land is .380. A .380 ball would be bore size. i like thing's simple,so i use pillow ticking for patch in allmy gun's,so it's @ .018 thick and I usually go @ .020 under bore size for a ball. leaves enough room for the patch to fill the grooves and seal all up nice and tight,but not TO tight.

[flintboomer]

Look for a ball .010 to .020 undersize which would be .360-.370 ball and use a patch that will compress when you load. The standard advice is to use a patch that is the thickness that your ball is undersize to the bore for a starter and then adjust patch or ball size as needed when you start looking for the perfect combination to get the best from your rifle.

Your rifle should be an excellent shooter if you find the right combination for it.

[BruceB]

I'm with Mr Pathfinder. Buy that ticking in a huge quantity and then use it for all you got! Moulds are a one time expense. Balls that are bought are an on going expense, but if you can find a mould the size you want you'll conserve a few bucks by having a casting day or two.
I have to keep it simple! Let the jokes begin

[Rocklock]

With rifling grooves .012-.015 deep, I have found balls .005" under bore size and patch material at least .015" thick work best.
TC

[bugflipper]

For accuracy I shoot .005 under (.375). For plinking I shoot .01 under (.370). Both are with a .22 patch. The .005 under needs a hammer or hunk of wood  to start it. I just use a tomahawk in the field on the short starter. Most folks would use a .10 patch with a .375 and a .15 patch with a .370 for easy loading.  By the way I don't have a 38. Just wrote down the numbers as a reference to what size it would be. 

[Hanshi]

I'd opt for a .370" or .375" ball and .015" ticking patch.  An alternative would be a .360" ball and a .024" ticking patch and find out which tastes best to your rifle.  I usually prefer a ball .010" under bore size with a patch thick enough to fill the grooves.  Mine's a .36 and yours is a .38.  My .36 loves a .350" ball and .024" patch.

[gunmaker]

Get a box of .375 pistol balls & try 'em with a ticking patch.   Mite be a good start.  Always wanted a .38 myself.    Tom

[pathfinder]

Lot's of target rifles were .38's.

[Papa]

I've got to go with Hanshi on this one. My .38 likes .375 ball with a .015 pre lubed patch. It won't thumb start but is easy to seat once you've gotten past the muzzle, and you don't need a hammer. Jim made fine barrels and once you find the right load it should do very well.
Mark