Speer Lead Round Ball .350 Review

My Honest Thoughts on the Speer Lead Round Ball .350 64 Grain

The Speer Lead Round Ball .350 64 Grain is a classic projectile, a staple for black powder enthusiasts and muzzleloader aficionados. Speer, a Vista Outdoor brand, is well-known for producing quality projectiles, and these round balls aim to deliver consistent performance for traditional firearms. Their simple design belies a careful manufacturing process intended to ensure uniformity and accuracy.

I sought out these round balls because I wanted to get back to the roots of shooting; I was tired of modern cartridges and wanted a more engaging and historical experience. My grandfather always spoke fondly of his muzzleloader and the satisfaction he got from loading his own ammunition. I was hoping to capture some of that magic.

Upon opening the yellow plastic box, the uniformity of the Speer Lead Round Ball .350 64 Grain was immediately apparent. The lead balls were clean, consistent in size, and surprisingly smooth. I’ve handled some rougher cast balls in the past, and these felt a step above.

Compared to pre-lubricated round balls, which are convenient but sometimes pricey, these offer a more economical solution, allowing me to choose my own patch and lubricant combination. Compared to casting my own balls, the Speer offering provides a consistent product without the time and effort required for home casting. My initial impression was positive; these looked like they would perform well, and I was eager to get them to the range.

Real-World Testing: Putting Speer Lead Round Ball .350 64 Grain to the Test

First Use Experience

My first outing with the Speer Lead Round Ball .350 64 Grain was at my local outdoor range, using a .36 caliber percussion muzzleloader. The weather was mild, with a slight breeze. I experimented with different patching materials and powder charges to find the optimal load for my rifle.

The Speer Lead Round Ball .350 64 Grain loaded easily with a properly sized patch. Ignition was consistent, and recoil was manageable with a moderate powder charge. Accuracy was impressive; after dialing in my load, I was consistently hitting a 6-inch target at 50 yards.

Extended Use & Reliability

After several weeks of use and multiple range trips, the Speer Lead Round Ball .350 64 Grain has proven to be reliable and consistent. I’ve noticed no significant deformation or leading in the barrel. These round balls maintain their shape well, ensuring consistent performance.

Cleaning my rifle after shooting these lead balls is relatively straightforward; a good solvent and bore brush easily remove any residue. Compared to some other projectiles I’ve used, the Speer Lead Round Ball .350 64 Grain seems to leave less fouling in the barrel. It consistently outperforms cheaper, less uniform balls in terms of accuracy and ease of loading.

Breaking Down the Features of Speer Lead Round Ball .350 64 Grain

Specifications

The Speer Lead Round Ball .350 64 Grain is a precisely manufactured lead projectile designed for muzzleloading firearms. It is nominally .350 caliber, weighing approximately 64 grains. Speer packages these in quantities of 100 within a yellow plastic box.

The .350 caliber size is appropriate for many .36 caliber muzzleloaders when used with a patch, providing a snug fit for optimal accuracy. The 64-grain weight strikes a good balance between manageable recoil and sufficient energy for target shooting or small game hunting. The consistent weight and diameter, guaranteed by Speer‘s manufacturing process, are key to achieving repeatable results.

Performance & Functionality

The Speer Lead Round Ball .350 64 Grain excels at providing consistent accuracy in muzzleloading firearms when paired with the right powder charge and patching material. When properly loaded, these balls produce tight groupings at moderate ranges. These meet and exceed expectations for accuracy, exceeding that of cheaper, less carefully manufactured round balls.

The primary strength of the Speer Lead Round Ball .350 64 Grain is its uniformity, resulting in consistent velocities and predictable trajectories. A potential weakness, inherent to all round balls, is their limited ballistic coefficient, which causes them to lose velocity and energy relatively quickly at longer ranges. This is not the projectile to use for long distance shooting.

Design & Ergonomics

The simple design of the Speer Lead Round Ball .350 64 Grain is inherently ergonomic; the spherical shape is easy to handle and load. The smooth surface of the ball minimizes friction and ensures consistent seating in the barrel. The lead alloy used is soft enough to easily engage the rifling when fired.

These feel solid and well-made in hand, instilling confidence in their quality. The inherent design means there is no learning curve; loading and shooting these are straightforward. The ease of use makes them an excellent choice for beginners and experienced muzzleloaders alike.

Durability & Maintenance

As a solid lead projectile, the Speer Lead Round Ball .350 64 Grain is inherently durable; it will not shatter or break under normal use. Lead, however, is a relatively soft metal and will deform upon impact. Proper storage is important to prevent oxidation, which can affect the surface and potentially alter ballistic performance over extremely long periods of time.

Maintenance of the Speer Lead Round Ball .350 64 Grain is minimal; simply store them in a dry environment. Any oxidation can typically be removed with a quick polish, though it is unlikely to significantly affect performance. Their longevity depends primarily on proper storage.

Accessories and Customization Options

The Speer Lead Round Ball .350 64 Grain itself doesn’t require accessories, but its performance is heavily influenced by the choice of patching material and lubricant. Popular choices include cotton or linen patches, lubricated with beeswax, tallow, or commercial bore butter. The diameter of the patch will determine the overall projectile size and the tightness of the fit in the bore.

No direct customization is available for the ball itself, as it is a simple sphere. However, the load can be customized with different powder charges and patching combinations to fine-tune accuracy and velocity. This is compatible with any standard .36 caliber muzzleloader.

Pros and Cons of Speer Lead Round Ball .350 64 Grain

Who Should Buy Speer Lead Round Ball .350 64 Grain?

The Speer Lead Round Ball .350 64 Grain is perfect for muzzleloading enthusiasts, black powder shooters, and historical reenactors who value accuracy and consistency in their ammunition. These are also a good choice for small game hunters who use .36 caliber muzzleloaders. Anyone looking for a traditional shooting experience.

Those who primarily shoot at longer ranges or require maximum ballistic performance should skip this product in favor of more modern conical bullets or sabot projectiles. People who are sensitive to handling lead or lack the proper safety precautions should also consider alternatives. A good quality powder measure and a reliable percussion cap are must-have accessories for using these round balls effectively.

Conclusion on Speer Lead Round Ball .350 64 Grain

The Speer Lead Round Ball .350 64 Grain offers excellent value for the price, delivering consistent performance and reliable accuracy in .36 caliber muzzleloaders. Its quality, uniformity, and ease of use make it a standout choice for traditional black powder shooting. If you’re looking to embrace the heritage of muzzleloading and enjoy the simplicity of a well-made round ball, these are an excellent choice.

The price is absolutely justified considering the performance and quality. I wholeheartedly recommend the Speer Lead Round Ball .350 64 Grain to anyone looking for a reliable and accurate projectile for their muzzleloader. Embrace the past, load up your rifle, and experience the satisfaction of traditional shooting!