Ball ammo???
I was thinking of getting some #3 horandy buckshot for target practice.
Does anyone know if ball ammo is affected by supersonic speeds like diablo pellets and how is accuracy?
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Viewing 6 replies - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)
Nice post Hoot. Very informative. The most accurate RB shooter i had WAS the DS50 cal.
Back when matchlocks, flintlocks, and percussion cap rifles were the only game in town, the round ball was used to good effect.
The reason the mini-ball was invented was to improve accuracy at long range, flight stability en-route to its target…and as several hundred thousand Civil War soldiers experienced, it was deadly accurate.
A mini-ball will spin on its center axis due to the effect of the rifled barrel on the elongated projectile. A simple round ball will do somewhat the same, but since its shape is equi-distant from its center of mass to all points on its outside diameter, and the rotational force is equal all around the ball, there is much more tendency for it to ‘wobble’ erratically in flight, most notiably over long distances. No counter-force exists, as with the long projectiles, where the rotation along its greater length applies overwhelming force to keep the projectile stable and in horizontal flight.
It is the shape of the projectile, which allows the rotational forces to stabilize the bullet enroute to its target. Move away from that directed rotational force and A round shape behaves erratically by comparison.
The key to the success of the smooth and rifled barrels used for round ball in early firearm history was low velocity, short range shooting, and very large diameter of ball mass, all of which allowed it to provide adequate flight characteristics out to 100 yards, or less. Shorter shooting distances gave even better accuracy due to less projectile flight time. This is also one reason they used those huge .75 caliber balls for some of those early guns. Greater projectile mass/minimal flight time = less reaction of the ball to counter-rotational forces in flight.
In air gun distances, and power, very respectable accuracy can be expected if the ball is of high quality and you are not shooting extremely long distances.
Try your various power settings, various distances, and ball weights, and you will easily see where accuracy begins to suffer. Make sure you weigh each ball, trying to keep them identical in weight. Just one more variable to be eliminated.
Daniel B. Hoot 😯
Probably so 80. Read an article about a guy that handloaded some 45 grain 310 RB’s in the venerable old 30-30 cartridge. he was pushing them around 1150 fps or so. He was getting 1 – 1/4″ groups at only 30 yards with them. The speed wasn’t bad but i’m sure the 1-10 or 1-12 twist rate was all wrong for the projectile.
Round ball or balls cannot tumble like a bullets can, its round. Think of a basketball (rb) vs a football (bullet). I’ve never TRULY liked the RB accuracy in small bores vs big bores. It’s my belief the biggest difference accuracy wise is because small bore twist rates are FASTER than big bore twist rates. 1-14/1-18 vs 1-20/1-48. Slower twist rates like 1-20 or 1-22 or even 1-48 are meant for RB’s. I’ve always read many reports of ONLY DECENT accuracy IIRC in small bores with the greatest accuracy coming in at closer ranges like 30-35 yards. I also don’t remember many of those reports being in the supersonic range. Most seems to keep the velocity at about the same as what their favorite pellet shoots. But in POWDERBURNERS, RB’s are accurate past supersonic speeds.
As i always say though, buy a box and try em out for yourself cause only you know whats acceptable to you accuracy wise. I’m sure most folks are gonna tell you to stick to pellets
Kind of like when a pitcher throws a curve ball or a slider. That fast twist rate in the barrel contributes to the “ball” moving off its line of trajectory. Makes sense 🙂
1st off, that avatar is crazy. No doggie for her…lol
Round ball or balls cannot tumble like a bullets can, its round. Think of a basketball (rb) vs a football (bullet). I’ve never TRULY liked the RB accuracy in small bores vs big bores. It’s my belief the biggest difference accuracy wise is because small bore twist rates are FASTER than big bore twist rates. 1-14/1-18 vs 1-20/1-48. Slower twist rates like 1-20 or 1-22 or even 1-48 are meant for RB’s. I’ve always read many reports of ONLY DECENT accuracy IIRC in small bores with the greatest accuracy coming in at closer ranges like 30-35 yards. I also don’t remember many of those reports being in the supersonic range. Most seems to keep the velocity at about the same as what their favorite pellet shoots. But in POWDERBURNERS, RB’s are accurate past supersonic speeds.
As i always say though, buy a box and try em out for yourself cause only you know whats acceptable to you accuracy wise. I’m sure most folks are gonna tell you to stick to pellets
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I was going to purchase some horandy #3 buckshot, but it seems as though they have discontinued that size. I use to see it for less than $25 for 5lbs. I guess if I want to play around with it, its going to be a bit more pricy.