Lee Round Ball Mold

[Nicioli]

Hi my daughter living in France will come to Brazil next november and I must tell her the right size mold to buy.
I saw two, #90436 .440 cal and #90438 .445 cal.
Which one should be correct for the .45 TC Patriot Pistol.
Thanks, regards, Nicioli

 

[Fyrstyk]

Either one would work, it would require different patch thickness depending on the barrel. Most target shooters prefer a tight ball with thinner patch, but your barrel will tell you what it prefers. For ease of loading, I would go with the .440 ball and start with a .015 lubed patch. You can always get thicker or thinner patches if need be.

 

[Nicioli]

Thanks, wouldn´t a .445 with a thinner patch, say an old cotton T shirt be better than a .440 with a thicker patch?
Thanks,regards, Nicioli

 

[HC]

Thinner patches burn up more readily than the thicker patches.

 

[Fyrstyk]

A cotton "T" shirt makes a terrible patch that will shred and cause fouling and poor accuracy. A .445 ball will load much harder, and I have seen several T/C Patriot guns that were broken at the grip by people trying to start & force tight fitting balls down the bore. My advice would be to go with the .440 ball and a .015 patch.

 

[deermanok]

That's a tough decision. I have a 45 caliber rifle that shoots a .445 ball more accurately than the .440.
I use a .010 thick patch with the 445.
Any chance you can get both molds?

 

[eekjellander]

That's a tough decision. I have a 45 caliber rifle that shoots a .445 ball more accurately than the .440.
I use a .010 thick patch with the 445.
Any chance you can get both molds?

Not a rifle but a pistol and 440 will work every time especially with a new shooter who likes to make smoke and kill cans ! If pursued accuracy will come down the road ,we are talking newby here

 

[Nicioli]

Hi folks not a chance to buy both sizes, they only have the .440 so this will have to do.
Tnanks, regards Nicioli

 

[eekjellander]

Hi folks not a chance to buy both sizes, they only have the .440 so this will have to do.
Tnanks, regards Nicioli

GREAT CHOICE!/Ed

 

[Swamp]

I'd go with .440 hands down. It gives you way more room for different patch thickness's to play around with.

 

[Bert621]

The .440 is going to be your easiest to work with, IMHO

 

[Nicioli]

OK folks thanks for all the answers,regards, Nicioli