I read in a book that it is OK to shoot a lead ball in 1-in-28 rifled barrel. (The book also says lead balls are better in the longer guns with slow rifling). I was just wondering if it makes the bore really hard to clean? I would think it leaves more lead in the rifling when the rifling is faster. Is it really a big deal to clean? All I have for solvent is the presaturated T/C cleaning patches. Do I need another type of solvent with wetter patches?

I have some Hornady sabots but only two boxes and I want to save most of them for hunting. Plus the lighter powder loads of a ball might make shooting less painful, for my shoulder and my wallet. Any thoughts?

(CVA Optima, black with synthetic stock thumbhole from WallyMart)

if shooting a lead round ball it will have a lubed cloth patch around it, which engages the rifling not the lead ball. Most likely your accuracy will suffer trying to shoot lead balls from a fast twist barrel. A compromise barrel twist is 1-48" as it will shoot conicals or round balls fairly well. Stick with sabots from the fast twist barrel. Try several brands of bullets with 209 Black Horn powder and you will be very pleased with the results.

Thank you; that makes sense.

its ok to shoot them with the fast twist but you'll have to use a low powder charge to keep from stripping the patch out of the rifling.

Good for cheap fun and practice but when it comes close to hunting, get a good conical or sabot load in the rifle.

yes, you can have fun with them in the fast twist barrel, if you want to burn up powder, purchase patches or pillow ticking, buy or make lead balls you'll need a mold too. Just don't expect to win any matches. You can enjoy your rifle this way or purchase cheap sabots/bullets and be close to your hunting set-up combination.

Good for squirrels. I wouldn't try any big game.