My balls are out of round

[bmtshooter]

As a starting place to determine an accurate load for my 50 caliber, I tried rolling Hornady 0.490 and 0.495 balls down the barrel.  The 0.490 balls seemed fine, but I found that some of the 0.495 balls would easily roll in, and some would not go in at all, or would go in and get stuck.  After trying and separating a bunch of the 0.495s I found that about one third would roll in, and two thirds would not.  Checking with the micrometer revealed that they are not very uniform, with measurements on a single ball that would range from 0.492 - 0.500 on the balls that would not roll into the barrel, and measurements ranged from 0.490 - 0.495 on the balls that would roll into the barrel.  Definitely out of round and non - uniform.


Measuring the box of 0.490 balls, I also found an unexpected (to me) large variation in diameters measured on a single ball.

So my questions are:
      1)  Is this out of round condition normal for Hornady roundballs?
      2)  Is this amount of dimension variation significant (enough to negatively impact accuracy)?
      3)  Can I expect better uniformity if I cast my own?

   

[Patocazador]

3)  Can I expect better uniformity if I cast my own?

If your temperature is kept high and your technique is good, the answer is "Yes." However, if your cast balls are flawed, all you have to do is throw them back in the pot and you aren't out any $$ for the bad castings.

I cast almost all my bullets so I don't know how Hornady's quality control is.
I would think that an out-of-round ball has to affect accuracy adversely.

[russell shaffer]

Now I have something to blame for my poor shooting.  I just went and measured some Speer swaged balls to see if they were better than your Hornadys.  Well, they aren't.  A random sample from a box of .490's  had one ball that measured from .489 to .499 on one axis and a consistent .490 on another.  It is a short cylinder in other words.  So should I measure them all and put a white stripe on the round side and load them like bullets?  If I was a serious shooter I think I would try it.  I'm afraid to try weighing them.

[russell shaffer]

I measured some other sizes of both brands and they vary also.  But I do have a thought - these aren't hard ball bearings and they aren't perfectly smooth so some of the variation could be coming from measuring from a dimple on one side to a ridge on the other.  I'm just going to shoot them and use "out of round" for an excuse for my fliers.  I bet Hanshi will agree.

[flintboomer]

A friend of mine is a below average shooter but he has a pistol that will REALLY shoot. He loaned it to one of the top shooters at Friendship who if I remember correctly used it to shoot a 100xxxx. then measured the balls with a micrometer and said the balls (like he had just used) are out of round. My friend then asked him "You just shot a 100xxxx with them, do you think it really matters?" The answer was "Evidently not."

[Hanshi]

The better decision would be to cast your own.  However, as russell said, out of round balls won't make any differences in accuracy that are noticeable.  I cast everything I shoot.  But several years ago I was given a box of Hornady .54 ball.  They shot extremely accurately; I could see a lot better back then.  I simply think it's a non issue for the average shooter.

[doggoner]

The key word in Hanshi's text is "average shooter". To us everyday Joe Doaks, we would not see any differience to speak of. If you are a serious competitor in a black powder shoot then you'll weigh each ball you cast and will strive for the most uniformity you can get. The powder charge, the patch thickness, the lube slickness, the seating pressure and the list goes on and on. Just go shoot your rifle and you'll find the more that you shoot, the better your groups will get regardless of the stuff you are shooting. JMO you understand. However, I have found that the more you practice something the better you get at it. Enjoy each shot and things will get better.

doggoner

[Hanshi]

I guess I'm just lazy, but spending time sorting, weighing and measuring ball, patches, etc, makes me ill to even think about.  I'd much rather be out there burning powder. 

[doggoner]

My point exactly Hanshi. Enjoy your gun. Most serious shooters (comp types) don't get the kick out of just plinking with their guns. I know, I know. Some serious types can just go plinking and get a kick out of it too. However, in my experience most serious types are always hyped up to "beat" your score and get puffed if you out shoot them. Their loss. I just enjoy making smoke. I believe in live and let live for the most part. If you out shoot me, good on you. I'll watch you closer next time and try to learn something from you. YMMV.

doggoner

[russell shaffer]

I'm with the fun and plinking crew.  My offhand is getting better, though.  After doing some postal shoots I realized just how terrible I was so I bought a pellet rifle on the advice of a forum member.  I"ve run almost 500 rounds through it in my garage and I have definitely improved.  Easy to walk out and shoot a 5 shot group at the spur of the moment and then just lean the rifle against the wall.  The groups have gotten smaller and a tin of 250 pellets is about 5 bucks.

[Red Badger]

I know a gentleman who casts his own roundball, has a very precise powder measure, and is very methodical when he loads and keeps very detailed records... He also does basically the same thing with his centerfire stuff, he only holds 5 international records,  When I asked him about this he laughed and said that unless you are in international competition a difference of .009 or less will not change anything at ranges less than 1000 yards...
  He proved it by taking me into my backyard range and with my patience (.54 cal TVM Early Lancaster) driving a 10 penny nail in using a box of Hornady roundball... at about 50 yards...

[Winter Hawk]

He proved it by taking me into my backyard range and with my patience (.54 cal TVM Early Lancaster) driving a 10 penny nail in using a box of Hornady roundball... at about 50 yards...

Off hand, no doubt!

~WH~

[Red Badger]

nope he used my bench :)

[Dogshirt]

Think about this for a moment. If you have a tight patch/ball combo, after you start it down the barrel
your ball is no longer round no matter if it was to begin with.

[hotfxr]

I just want everyone to know that I am staying out of this conversation due to the obvious straight line in the title. You do not know how hard it is to leave this subject be, but for purposes of decorum, I am reluctantly passing on commenting.