Minie Balls & Push Through Sizers

[Semisane]

Do you need a push rod that is form fitted to the base of a Minie ball?

I did. Here's how I made one.

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb264/NavZepol/Useful%20Info/Minie%20Ball%20Push%20Rod/A_zpsgzrssloj.jpg (http://s210.photobucket.com/user/NavZepol/media/Useful%20Info/Minie%20Ball%20Push%20Rod/A_zpsgzrssloj.jpg.html)

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb264/NavZepol/Useful%20Info/Minie%20Ball%20Push%20Rod/B_zpsaftdysot.jpg (http://s210.photobucket.com/user/NavZepol/media/Useful%20Info/Minie%20Ball%20Push%20Rod/B_zpsaftdysot.jpg.html)

NOTE: I used a 30D nail for .577 Minies. A larger size nail, 40D or 50D would be appropriate for larger caliber balls.

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb264/NavZepol/Useful%20Info/Minie%20Ball%20Push%20Rod/C_zpstmeewv3s.jpg (http://s210.photobucket.com/user/NavZepol/media/Useful%20Info/Minie%20Ball%20Push%20Rod/C_zpstmeewv3s.jpg.html)

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb264/NavZepol/Useful%20Info/Minie%20Ball%20Push%20Rod/D_zpshmjzcohh.jpg (http://s210.photobucket.com/user/NavZepol/media/Useful%20Info/Minie%20Ball%20Push%20Rod/D_zpshmjzcohh.jpg.html)

[Semisane]

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb264/NavZepol/Useful%20Info/Minie%20Ball%20Push%20Rod/E_zpsh63odh43.jpg (http://s210.photobucket.com/user/NavZepol/media/Useful%20Info/Minie%20Ball%20Push%20Rod/E_zpsh63odh43.jpg.html)

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb264/NavZepol/Useful%20Info/Minie%20Ball%20Push%20Rod/F_zpskxopvrfu.jpg (http://s210.photobucket.com/user/NavZepol/media/Useful%20Info/Minie%20Ball%20Push%20Rod/F_zpskxopvrfu.jpg.html)

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb264/NavZepol/Useful%20Info/Minie%20Ball%20Push%20Rod/G_zpssn261nmy.jpg (http://s210.photobucket.com/user/NavZepol/media/Useful%20Info/Minie%20Ball%20Push%20Rod/G_zpssn261nmy.jpg.html)

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb264/NavZepol/Useful%20Info/Minie%20Ball%20Push%20Rod/H_zpsbnkcrwjg.jpg (http://s210.photobucket.com/user/NavZepol/media/Useful%20Info/Minie%20Ball%20Push%20Rod/H_zpsbnkcrwjg.jpg.html)

[Semisane]

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb264/NavZepol/Useful%20Info/Minie%20Ball%20Push%20Rod/I_zpsemy9dibm.jpg (http://s210.photobucket.com/user/NavZepol/media/Useful%20Info/Minie%20Ball%20Push%20Rod/I_zpsemy9dibm.jpg.html)

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb264/NavZepol/Useful%20Info/Minie%20Ball%20Push%20Rod/J_zpssvwnfrga.jpg (http://s210.photobucket.com/user/NavZepol/media/Useful%20Info/Minie%20Ball%20Push%20Rod/J_zpssvwnfrga.jpg.html)

[Muley Gil]

That looks good, but time consuming to make.

I just put a piece of hardwood dowel in my drill press and used a file to shape it to fit the base of of a Minie. Took about 5-10 minutes.

[Semisane]

:rolleyes: HA! I always seem to do things the hard way.

[MR. GADGET]

I just pick one or two up at nationals they were .50 to 1.00 in the past.
Made of wood, plastic or even aluminum.

[jonk]

While I moved on to a lube sizer die...

When I used a push through I just 'crowned' the mouth of the push through with an acorn nut and valve grinding compound and pushed through base first, using the flat on the nose, with a flat brass rod.

[Bruce Cobb 1723V]

Just push them thru hollow base end first. That's how Jerry Harmon told folks how to use them.