My Hawken GRRW .54 Cal.

[Rick Mulhern]

Bought me some pillow ticking a while back; washed it and dried it twice! It still measures .025" thickness and I attempted to start a ball with it today and....NO GO....not without what I thought would be beating on the ball such that I would be shooting something oval shaped! I tried a regular cleaning patch and it went but not tight enough! This is the result as below! I only shot 5 shots but I'm still hoping I didn't lead the barrel with those five!

Untitled by Rick Mulhern, on Flickr

I'm taking my Mic with me tomorrow to Wally World and see if I can't find some ticking somewhat thinner!

Just my luck!!

[Kurt]

Rick.

When you get ticking make sure that it's 100% cotton. Wally has some that I looked at that is a synthetic ticking and it will not compress like cotton.
Also when you wash cotton ticking it will shrink some and thicken up. you might try to iron a small piece maybe it will stretch out again a little. You want a thick tight patch for the very deep grooves your rifle has looking at your photo or you will blow past the patch cutting it like the cleaning patch you used. Those grooves look like they are .010" or .012" deep on your barrel.
Get a good short ball starter that fits the ball and you might have to palm the starter to get it moving down the barrel. Deforming the ball slightly wont make that much difference at the ranges your going to shoot that rifle. The ball will also get bumped in the hinder when the charge goes off like a cartridge rifle and expand some into the lands. I have some balls I picked up. If I find them I will post a picture. It's surprising just how much they knead like putty.
Don't worry to much about using a little force starting a round ball. It's a different game from slug guns compared to round ball. I see guys using a rubber mallet starting round balls and shoot very tight groups.

[Rick Mulhern]

Thanks Kurt! Your and the Rdnck's statements run congruent!!

[Caprock]

Track of Wolf has ticking in several thicknesses. Depends on your purpose! A target load for my 50 is a .498 ball and .018 patch and yes it has to be pounded in but its a one ragged hole. Hunting loads are .495 and .018 patch for the first shot and is loaded with the aid of a range rod. Follow up loads are a .490 ball and .015 patch that can be loaded with the regular ramrod. Its still ple ty accurate.