:confused: I am really new to muzzle loaders. I have a used Kentucky style that I have no history on, (no brand name or literature) it is a percussion gun in .45 caliber. Question is how tight should the bullet and patch fit into the muzzle and down the bore?
I purchased some speer .440 round balls and some prelubed CVA patches that are .015, the way I do math, that would be .455 inches and I think that is too large for the bore, but I also know from reloading for modern smokeless that it is not as my .45 ACP fire a .458 bullet,
I would appreciate any advise or help, like I said, I am really new to muzzle loaders.
Thanks for all your time. :)

The bore of that percussion should be between .456-.458"; some early reproductions were tighter than that.

Take one round ball...drill a dimple in it with a 1/8" drill bit...run a 2" long wood screw into the ball to about the center. Patch and seat this ball-on-a-screw into the bore (the screw lets you yank it back out). Look at the impressions on the patch. If the lands have cut the patch, it's too tight. Look at the ball: if there are impressions of the lands on the ball (pressed in by the ptach..will probably even make out the weave of the patch in the impressions) it's probably optimal.

That's all I look for: undamaged/cut patching and a slight impression fo the lands lbeing pressed into the ball by the patch. The quilaity of the patch lubve really descides how much fouling is going to build. You may have to swab the bore after 4-5 shots...or it may go 10-12 shots, depends on the lube used...load used...and powder used.

Thanks for the info, I will try that

You will be alright with the 440 and .015 patch, the rifle you have is an early import made in spain and should have a chrome bore, these are the same gun as the early CVAs and have the better bbl as I stated chromed bore. Use between 25 and 40gns of 3f for in formal target shooting up to 65gns for deer. It also should have a real good trigger sear adjustment just take off the lock and you will see a small screw tinker until you feel it is right and safe. Take care and have fun. Swany