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Author Topic: .492 roundball  (Read 3718 times)

tom buckley

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.492 roundball
« on: July 28, 2016, 09:24:19 AM »
Does anyone have an idea what a .492 diameter roundball would be for? A couple of weeks ago, I stopped at the Antietam Gallery in Sharpsburg and, among other things, I bought this roundball that I thought was a .44 ball. I believe that a ball for a .44 revolver would be around .46 but this one is .492. Possibly for a .50 "country rifle"?
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misipirelichtr

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Re: .492 roundball
« Reply #1 on: July 28, 2016, 10:10:59 AM »
Tom, I have several with similar diameters, and yes, I believe they were fired in 50 caliber guns.  Modern round balls are typically .490 in diameter and at least in my T/C .50 Hawken, perform best when fired with patches .1 thick.
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tom buckley

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Re: .492 roundball
« Reply #2 on: July 28, 2016, 02:30:44 PM »
Thanks for the reply, Misipirelichtr.
Other than the diameter, another thing that makes me think it could be for a civilian rifle is that  it looks like extra care was taken in cutting off the casting sprue.
« Last Edit: July 28, 2016, 05:24:46 PM by tom buckley »
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