This more of a theoretical question, but really, what's wrong with a perfectly round ball as a projectile? The weight seem to be quite respectable, e.g. in .22 its around 15-16gr, and making balls on the industrial scale also ought to be less tricky than a diablo shape.
I understand that the lack of a skirt will prevent a round ball from creating a good seal, and if there are dents/nicks - those will surely affect precision, but assuming a very high quality lead ball can be made (which is likely to be the case, after all we've mastered precision ball bearing manufacturing), what other factors do you know that contribute to round ball's poor performance?
I understand that the lack of a skirt will prevent a round ball from creating a good seal, and if there are dents/nicks - those will surely affect precision, but assuming a very high quality lead ball can be made (which is likely to be the case, after all we've mastered precision ball bearing manufacturing), what other factors do you know that contribute to round ball's poor performance?