✅ SOLVED Question For Black Powder Guys

[Older The Better]

ive been hunting a field while there are no crops in and ive found at least 20 lead balls in the last couple weekends, ive noticed many of them have this small hole in them. I'm a bit suspicious that there are really that many true musket balls. i was wondering if the small hole might indicate a more recent factory made ball or a deer slug? or maybe its the other way around these are from being poured in a mold and the ones with the hole absent are new?

 

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[releventchair]

A " ball puller" is like a screw that attaches to the ramrod ,( or a longer rod for ease of use when luxury allows) to pull a ball.
Handy to have if some one forgets to add gunpowder first.......
Also, in bad weather ,( rain or high humidity ect.)a ball can be pulled and powder dumped to allow having a fresh charge.
Or if preparing for storage or transport ( like packing them in crates) loads could be pulled from loaded guns without firing them. Less clean up that way.

IF some one deliberately bored a hole for other reasons ,how that hole is lined up in relation to the bore would affect the performance of the round ball on impact.
Pulled balls are usually discarded. But could/ should be re melted .

A ball cast in a mold has a sprue. ( a belly button of sorts). It is usually trimmed to just a nub.
Your picture could show a void in the sprue from not pouring enough lead when filling the mould to fully displace air.
Or the flatspot could be from shoulders of the ball puller/ screw or the rod it was attached to.
Your other finds with holes should show consistent hole diameters if screw made. Varied sized holes if voids from casting technique.

 

[Older The Better]

good call. after you say that it seems pretty clear, i was hung up on manufacturing processes and wasn't even thinking about pulled bullets. thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

 

[releventchair]

A careful cleaning and inspection should show threaded marks on inner hole edges if pulled.