rounnd ball
 

any body got any suggestions on a round ball for the 8 ga...i need any info i can get on the size or measurments of a lead ball.. would like to make up a round ball or slug load if possible...any body got any ideas... thanks charlie

It would certainly be a bruiser, Charlie! WRA Co. loaded 10 gauge ball loads at 1-1/8 ounce. That was their largest in my catalogs (1881-1928). I do have some gaps in my catalogs, so I may be missing a short lived load, if it was available. Austin has some catalogs, too. Maybe he can find something. Good luck!

thanks mark im hoping i can use a bruser load on a fine fat doe if i can get me a load ready in time..do you think a round ball of 1 1/2 ounse would be all right..im thinking that this would be ok...i know that a 1 1/2 ounce of shot is a light load so there should be no problem with round ball at that weight... charlie

Nominally, eight guage means eight round balls to the pound (2oz each), the diameter of the ball equaling the bore diameter. A short Minie of an ounce and a half or so with a cast diameter no greater than the choke diameter would work best. Thats the way factory "rifled" slugs are designed. I think Lee used to offer molds to order like this.

will be good if lee still makes the custom made moulds...you are right a short conical bullet would beat the round ball in accurcy....this old reloading stuff is really getting in my blood now....charlie

have been hunting hard for a round ball orconical bullet for the 8 guage but have not found one yet...will keep looking..have found that the round ball would measure at .835 down to .820....charlie

Charlie,

Just read this and thought it might be a start on where to find bullets. http://www.calpappas.com/id77.html

Harry

Charlie,

Try Jeffery Tanner in the UK for a round ball mold: http://www.jt-bullet-moulds.co.uk/

I believe a round ball mould up to .850 were $45 the last time I checked, and he will make them larger than that if needed. The moulds fit the inexpensive, standard Lee handles.

I ordered a specially sized ball mould from him for a flintlock breechloading rifle I built, and his service to the U.S. is very quick and efficient.

the gent in the uk does indeed have the round ball mold for the 8 gauge...all ive got todo tommorrow is measure the bore and get intouch with the maker...this was a answer to my prays thanks for the info fellas...this gent makes about any sizeround ball or cannon ball a person needs..if i get every thing in high gear i should be able to have a round ball load to be able to hunt with soon....thanks charlie

Great news Charlie and I look forward to read the recap of your results with this 8 ga round ball load!