Questions and answers from Facebook
“What size patches do I need for a 44 caliber revolver and .454 round balls ?”
Here are some of the most informative comments from the post.
John M. “use wads over the ball, the ball will seat nicely with about a .010 ring on the outside of the cylinder when it's pressed in it. Or you can put lard or bore butter over the ball once it's in the cylinder as well. so long as it prevents a chain fire.
J.D “You don’t need a patch. When you seat the ball over the powder, it should shave a ring of lead on the cylinder mouth. Then grease over the top to fill up the cylinder. The grease helps stop chain firing”
Editor’s Note: NMLRA Education and Training Charman Marty Murphy wanted us to note that extensive studies have been done about chain fires at the NMLRA. Marty mentioned that the concern with “Chain Fires” doesn’t come from the front but from the rear. During the explosion, embers may exit through the nipple, igniting another cylinder IF it is not covered by a percussion cap. When loading more than one cylinder, it’s important to cap every loaded cylinder. The grease used on top of the ball is only useful for lubing the bore if your roundball is too tight.
Robert V “Since the ball is larger than the bore, a patch isn’t needed. I put 22grains of 3F, then a 22lr casing full of cream of wheat on top of that as a filler, a lubed was on top of that, and then press the ball in flush with the end of the cylinder. If it goes in deeper, use more cream of wheat.”
James B “I am a fan of wonder wads”
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