Which round ball for Pietta Army?

[Bob Dwyer]

So. I am new to the black powder pistol scene though ive been shooting black powder in my Great Plains quite some time. Some people say to shoot .451 round balls in my Army, others say .454 is better. How do I know which is right for my Pietta?
Bob

[ShotgunDave]

Bob, you'll have to start by knowing what size you chambers are. If you have a caliper, take a nominal measurement and go from there. You want the ball to be big enough to fit tightly in the chamber without moving under recoil. It should shave a little lead off when you push it into the chamber with the lever.

If it helps, I use .454 in my Pietta Army revolvers.

[Hawg]

just go with .454 and fuggetaboutit.

[mazo kid]

You won't go wrong with .454"  round balls. I think it may depend somewhat on the vintage of your gun; I have some older gun boxes that say .451" round ball.

[Lyle]

A velocity chart is listed in the link below. For 44’s it shows a velocity difference simply by using a larger ball.

http://poconoshooting.com/blackpowderballistics.html

[mazo kid]

Yes, a definite difference. Is this because of the weight, the tighter fit in the chamber or the wider "belt" on the round ball? Maybe a combination of all 3.

[Bob Dwyer]

You gents were right on the money. I bought 3 sizes; .451, .454 and .457 from Track of the wolf and found the 451 shaved no lead ring and seated with very little pressure. The 457 seated and shaved a nice thick ring but I was afraid the ramrod would break. 454 was just right!
Bob