Question on loading a single shot pistol

[pilgrim]

     I just finished cleaning, polishing and oiling my single shot pistols.    While buffing off the wax,  a thought came to me and figured that I would ask your opinion and advice  before I do something that may harm the barrel.  I m thinking of using the Kentuckian cap lock pistol without any patch material.  The barrel is marked .44 caliber, so I figured to use a .454 round ball  without any patch.  Will this work or is it pure folly on my part.  Maybe use a .451 round ball.  I have molds for .451,  .454 & .457.  I checked with a .454  round ball  and it looks like it is a near perfect fit to match to the grooves.  Now I need to get out the caliper and do some measurements of lands and grooves.  Just concerned if the pure lead will damage the barrel  by not using a patch?  Will the lead ball leave any lead deposits in the barrel?    Also curious how this will effect accuracy?

    Any and all advice will be greatly appreciated.   Thanks

     ps     Cabin fever is already setting in.  looking forward to warmer weather.

[beowulf]

dont think pure lead will harm the barrel , but accuracy may go out the window ! might be a tad tougher to clean .

[Patocazador]

I'd mic' the barrel just to be sure. You don't want to generate real high pressures.

[Dogshirt]

Leading may also be an issue.

[graybear]

Haven't tried it myself but from what I've read, it's probably not a good idea. To prevent gas from escaping around the ball,, you would have to use a ball that would have to be hammered down the barrel, deforming the ball and wrecking accuracy. You could increase the chance of leading either through hot gasses escaping around the ball, or from friction from an unpatched ball depositing lead in the bore. In the cartridge rounds (they'll never catch on), you can't use pure lead and have to use a lube to help prevent leading. Just my opinion. If you do try it, let us know how it turns out.

[beowulf]

thought about it , and I dont think round balls would work all that well ,  a conical , would seem to be the better choice  .

[Hanshi]

I agree with beowulf; a conical would most likely be preferable.  And I'm confused as to why you would want to load without a patch.  Leading with a round ball is a given; and even a conical will need a lot of lube.  I see no upside.

[russell shaffer]

If you are looking for an easier way to load I bet you would be better off with a .440 ball and a thin patch.  Forcing an oversize ball down the barrel sounds like a lot of work.  It's hard enough to start a slightly larger ball into a revolver cylinder with a lever and It would be much worse pushing one down a rifled bore.

[Red Badger]

According to what I can find - there are several issues with going without a patch... #1 is leading, and after that is loss of accuracy and everything else.  The only times I can see documented are when reloading was so hurried because of attack that powder was just poured into a barrel and a ball was pushed down onto the powder and the  trigger was pulled to get as much lead downrange as possible in as short a period of time as possible.  Not the recommended course of action unless you were trying to keep your topknot....  I would suggest using the proper ball and patch combination for your pistol.

[pilgrim]

     Thanks to all who replied.  I  have decided to stick with the patch as ball,  per the advise from this post.   I do not want to ruin the pistols.  Besides,  I already have a nice well built loading stand for a single shot pistol.  Thanks again for all your advise. 

[Watauga]

Lots of folks use a mallet to start the balls on rifles and someone  said you could shoot a 45 with a 451 ball and no patch but it had to be started with a mallet....I never got brave or curious enough to try it.....