Havin' a ball

[GaHenryFan]

Still enamored with these 45 colt round ball loads. I switched from bullseye to trail boss and I'm getting a little cleaner burn. Another trick I've learned is to run the loaded case back through the sizing die until the top of the ball touches the bottom of the die. That increases pressure and keeps velocities pretty consistent. 1 grain under a deep seated round ball is accurate at 25 yards and it makes a mess out of tin cans. They are averaging 512 fps.

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1020191759a_compress1.jpg (64.76 KiB) Viewed 2486 times

[fortyshooter]

Does the ball sit on the powder charge or is there air space? What lube do you use if any and is there any leading at that speed?
And of course what gun are you shooting these out of?

[Mistered]

I suspect by the OPs description of running the loaded case back into the die the ball is setting on top of the powder and it is giving it a slight crimp.
There will be no leading at this speed as its pretty slow.
Loading lead balls into cartridge rounds is an old school technique to make low powered plinking/pest ammo and even better if the caliber is of a size a standard lead ball can be found. A common one is # 1 shot pellets for .30 caliber ammo.

[GaHenryFan]

Does the ball sit on the powder charge or is there air space? What lube do you use if any and is there any leading at that speed?
And of course what gun are you shooting these out of?

I've adjusted my seating depth so that the ball sits just over the powder but not compressing it. I tumble lubed them in LLA 2 times. I shoot them in a 20 inch Rossi 92. No leading at all.

[GaHenryFan]

I suspect by the OPs description of running the loaded case back into the die the ball is setting on top of the powder and it is giving it a slight crimp.
There will be no leading at this speed as its pretty slow.
Loading lead balls into cartridge rounds is an old school technique to make low powered plinking/pest ammo and even better if the caliber is of a size a standard lead ball can be found. A common one is # 1 shot pellets for .30 caliber ammo.

Correct. I'm using the partial resize as a substitute for a crimp. Deep seating them eliminates most of the air space and increases pressure and velocity. I'm casting them with a Lee 454 round ball mold.

[GaHenryFan]

The camera microphone makes it sound louder than it really is.

https://youtu.be/N2gSOAHE1lA

[Mistered]

Yep - seems louder than it should be.
Sounds like a pretty good system for creating low power ammo!
I like it!

[GaHenryFan]

Yep - seems louder than it should be.
Sounds like a pretty good system for creating low power ammo!
I like it!

Thanks! It's great for backyard plinking and late night armadillos.

[fortyshooter]

Very interesting load!

I used to make up wooden bullets with same overall size and shape as a 250 gr. RN 45 bullet and cut 2 grooves much like lube grooves
but for a pair of rubber O rings which would seal to the brass case and the revolver bore.
The case primer pocket was opened up for a 209 shot shell primer.

I would shoot them in the garage at a target with padded back stop. Cans and empty milk jugs made great targets showing a clean hole!
Ran a few over my chrony and got 330 FPS.

[GaHenryFan]

Very interesting load!

I used to make up wooden bullets with same overall size and shape as a 250 gr. RN 45 bullet and cut 2 grooves much like lube grooves
but for a pair of rubber O rings which would seal to the brass case and the revolver bore.
The case primer pocket was opened up for a 209 shot shell primer.

I would shoot them in the garage at a target with padded back stop. Cans and empty milk jugs made great targets showing a clean hole!
Ran a few over my chrony and got 330 FPS.

I've been thinking about casting some hot glue bullets. I'm constantly looking for something to keep me entertained. I need to cast some more slugs for my air rifles too. The rats will be out once we start filling the bird feeders for winter.