Originally Posted by
threepdr
What is a consensus on the exact caliber they should be made in? I?ve heard 678, 680, and 682.
Any suggestions?
Thanks!
Consensus in the N-SSA? That's like a law in Congress where everyone votes their approval. Rare, and usually wrong.
This next is hearsay evidence, not gospel but what I've gleaned from my 10 or so years playing this game. Your results may vary.
Caliber is dependent on bore size. Whoever worked this out decided that 12 thousandths (.012") under bore size is best. For original 69 caliber bores, that means .678, which has proven to be an extremely popular caliber.
Because barrel reamers are not cheap, and .690 is not a standard size, barrel liners are made in the nearest fractional equivalent, 11/16" or .687.
For those guns, .675 is a great choice.
Of course, the ball as it drops from the mould can be a few thousandths different based on the hardness of your lead. Hard lead casts larger than pure by 1 to 2 thou or so.
My Elka ball is .672 diameter. Hard cast, rolled between 2 farriers files and gauged by dropping them through a 6" piece of Hoyt liner, measuring .687. I use this ball in an H&P and a 30" Macon conversion, both with Hoyt produced bores.
Thank you for your efforts to support the N-SSA
Bob Anderson
Company C, 1st Michigan Volunteer Infantry
Small Arms Committee
"I won't be wronged. I won't be insulted. I won't be laid a hand on.
I don't do these things to other people, and I require the same from them."
- John Wayne in "The Shootist", 1976
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