Need A Bullet ID

[Coin Magnet]

I hunted four hours pioneering two new permissions with my newbie cousin who just got his 800 and found only trash and one cool looking bullet. Wasn’t very impressive for the newbie lol.

The good news is we think we now have over 2000 acres of new area to hunt. so now the research really starts.

I think this bullet is an older one. It looks similar to a minieball but way different too. And it has the white lead oxide on it like they do.

I would appreciate your thoughts on it!

 

[WV62]

For sure it looks to be old and is a black powder bullet based on the lube groves. I would guess it is a smaller caliber hunting type bullet maybe in the range of a .36cal.
Just going from what I can see.
For sure it is setting on top of a nice 1987 penny. LOL

 

[fastdraw]

1. It's not a bullet....
2. Certainly not a mini ball..!
3. Certainly not a maxi ball..!
4. The grease grooves are way too large
5. No rifling grooves to show it was fired
6. Top Rim is larger than base rim
7. Flat base to not Hollow base

If...? (The Big Question)
8. The top rim "Appears" larger than the base of the bullet,.. It will NOT fly..! So it's not a bullet. It would rattle down the bore. Based upon the picture..?

I measured the bullet picture with my calipers, compared to the penny and it's not consistent.

Yep... It does look like a bullet,..!! And I have seen a few bullets I cannot explain.
Maybe this is one of them..?

 

[sgoss66]

Looks like a "modern" black-powder maxi ball, to me.

Steve

 

[fastdraw]

Looks like a "modern" black-powder maxi ball, to me.

View attachment 15474
Steve

Maybe..?

 

[fwcrawford]

I looked through my Civil War Projectile book, but did not see anything like it.
Could it possibly be a weight?

 

[JCR TX]

Can you measure the diameter and weight?

 

[fastdraw]

Can you measure the diameter and weight?

JCR TX said it... Measure the base and the upper rim. That tells the story. The base CAN be smaller, but only if it's a hollow base, so it can expand upon firing. Yours is flat base..!! But if it's not a bullet... What is it...?

 

[JCR TX]

JCR TX said it... Measure the base and the upper rim. That tells the story. The base CAN be smaller, but only if it's a hollow base, so it can expand upon firing. Yours is flat base..!! But if it's not a bullet... What is it...?

Or a heeled bullet.

 

[jayhop]

I've never seen one exactly like it but its similar to some that were made at the NC arsenal.
I'm thinking it's a bullet and the patina looks too old for it to be modern. But it's very similar to some that are modern.

 

[JCR TX]

Perhaps a "Button" style for indoor gallery practice. I would like to know the size & weight.

 

[Coin Magnet]

I’ll round up some calipers and a scale and let you know. Great responses!

 

[fastdraw]

Perhaps a "Button" style for indoor gallery practice. I would like to know the size & weight.

Button style.... I'm getting old but that's a possibility

 

[hunter12]

Looks like a 38 cal wad cutter. No expert.

 

[Coin Magnet]

I hunted four hours pioneering two new permissions with my newbie cousin who just got his 800 and found only trash and one cool looking bullet. Wasn’t very impressive for the newbie lol.

The good news is we think we now have over 2000 acres of new area to hunt. so now the research really starts.

I think this bullet is an older one. It looks similar to a minieball but way different too. And it has the white lead oxide on it like they do.

I would appreciate your thoughts on it!

View attachment 15473View attachment 15472View attachment 15471

I was finally able to take measurements today. The top ring OD is .543-.547” and the bottom base is .533-.537”. The weight is 20 grams on my eBay scale.

 

[JCR TX]

I checked what references I have and can't find anything definite. I am almost positive it is not from a muzzle loading rifle. There was a wide variety of early cartridge ammunition made in the middle 19th century. Some of it quite strange looking compared to more modern designs. What you found is definitely old. The patina shows that. My guess is a .54 caliber heel type bullet. The weight is 300 grains. Someone more knowledgeable would recognize it. Maybe some Civil War or Indian War relic hunters. Thanks for reporting back!

 

[fastdraw]

The top is measuring like a 54 caliber bullet... but the base of the bullet is a little over ten thousands of an inch smaller. This Cannot be,... at least not for a bullet... unless it's a hollow base bullet. The weight of the bullet is a little over 300 grains which is much too light for a 54 caliber bullet. If it is a bullet...? It's like no other bullet I've ever seen before,.. and I've been a serious cartridge collector for well over 40 years. But it might be.? He'll... I have bullets that are in the shape of a triangle

 

[Coin Magnet]

I checked what references I have and can't find anything definite. I am almost positive it is not from a muzzle loading rifle. There was a wide variety of early cartridge ammunition made in the middle 19th century. Some of it quite strange looking compared to more modern designs. What you found is definitely old. The patina shows that. My guess is a .54 caliber heel type bullet. The weight is 300 grains. Someone more knowledgeable would recognize it. Maybe some Civil War or Indian War relic hunters. Thanks for reporting back!

Thank you for the input!! I love these kind of mysteries!

 

[JCR TX]

I have almost as much fun trying to ID some finds as digging them. I enjoy piecing a site's story together.

 

[Ronstar]

Could it be some type type of a lead stopper? Trying to think outside the box......”grease grooves” could seal the hole and the flared top would set depth????