Round Ball Molds

[35 shooter]

Anyone have any experience with .180 or .220 shot molds here?
If so, did they pour a consistent dia. in .177 or .22 cal?

Someone posted on another forum that (reloaders network . com) has these size molds.

The reason I ask is I have a 397 and Winchester 1977 that shoot gamo round balls extremely well... in the larger size balls in the tins(.177.5 to .179”). There are lots of smaller dia. Balls in the tins that shoot lousy of course.
A .180” ball should fill the bore better and shoot very well... same with a .220” for 22 cal. since the nominal bore dia. for .177 is .180 to .182” and 22 cal. air rifles at .220” from what i’ve read.

I have’nt slugged my bores, but from my testing, the more the balls aproach .180”, the better they shoot.
My Winchester 1977 will keep the larger .177.5 to .179 gamo balls in a half inch from the bench at 20 yds.
I have a 392 that will do the same with them.

Just thought maybe someone here had some experience with one of these .180” or .220” round ball molds.

Btw, best accuracy in each gun with the balls has been at 580 to just over 600 FPS. so far.
I was hoping a better fitting ball would allow a bit more speed.

[EdinGa]

I haven't used this style mold, but I've cast and shot a lot of round balls with lee molds. There's always a flat spot from the sprue cut, but they're still surprisingly accurate. I would think you could use curved clippers and have an even smaller imperfection than I get.

[35 shooter]

Yeah, I wish Lee made one in the sizes I need.
I’ve had good luck with Lee in the past.

[EdinGa]

I'm a member of the Reloader's Network and I chat on their Discord server. I've heard good things about the Marty's Arms molds.

[35 shooter]

Thanks, that’s good to know!
I just got through shooting my Winchester 1977 at 10 pumps and about 750 FPS. with the random sized gamo balls.
It’s still shooting just over a inch at 20 yds. with most in 5/8” unsorted for size.

With balls that ride the bore, should do much better.
Think i’ll pick one of these molds up in the near future. 

Of course the other thing that would really be an improvement would be a slow twist bbl.

I’ll report on it once i’ve tried it.

[EdinGa]

I shoot the .454 round balls at airgun velocities and airgun noise levels. They're a hoot to shoot and they really tear up tin cans. Maybe I need to look into one for my airguns too.