The Hornady Lead Round Ball in .45 caliber is a traditional patched round ball for black powder rifles and pistols. It leaves the factory measuring .440" in diameter and is cold swaged from pure lead. That swaging eliminates the air pockets and voids common to cast balls so every ball in the 100-count box carries uniform weight and a smoother rounder surface for consistent shots downrange.

The .440" diameter is sized for .45 caliber bores that you load with a cloth patch. The patch grips the rifling and seals the bore behind the ball so the ball and patch does much of the work in a traditional muzzleloader. Before you buy check your firearm's bore size and the patch thickness you shoot since a snug combination loads cleanly and helps the ball hold zero.

Cold swaging is what separates these from cast balls. Pouring molten lead into a mold can leaves tiny voids that throw off weight and balance while swaging forms each ball under pressure for a denser rounder result. The smoother surface helps the ball rotate evenly down the bore which Hornady credits for better rotation and consistency and the uniform weight keeps your point of impact repeatable once you settle on a powder charge and patch.

Soft pure lead also seats readily and deforms on impact which is part of why the patched round ball has stayed a standard for .45 caliber black powder shooting. It loads ahead of traditional black powder or a modern substitute seated behind the patch on your chosen charge.

Product Specifications

• .45 caliber round ball .440" diameter
• Cold swaged from 100% pure lead
• Swaging eliminates the air pockets and voids common to cast balls
• Smoother rounder surface for better rotation and shot-to-shot consistency
• Uniform weight and roundness for a repeatable point of impact
• 100 balls per box
• Hornady manufacturer part number 6040
• Item number HO6040 UPC 090255260403

For anyone shooting a traditional .45 caliber muzzleloader the Hornady Lead Round Ball is a dependable proven projectile with a long track record. Match it to your bore with the right patch and you have a round ready for the range or the woods.