Is a 16 pound ball exactly that OOB?

[earlyrolling]

When you purchase a 16 pound ball, is it 16 lbs exactly or will it be 16 lbs. and some # of ounces?

[charlest]

Balls sold a "16 pounds" will probably range from 15 lb. 12 oz. to 16 lb. 4 oz., more or less. Since drilling (finger and weight holes) can remove as much as 4 oz., the ball can be 16 lb. afterwards, to make it legal. (Personally, I'd like such a ball to be 15 lb. 15 oz., after drilling, because absorbed oil can make it technically illegal at places, like Nationals, where they weigh balls.)

[Juggernaut]

 Charlest is correct. A bowling balls gross undrilled weight can be a few ounces over 16 lbs, as it is only the after drilled weight that matters. 

 

[scrub49]

I have an friend who ball weight 15 lb 15 oz after drilling went to nationals and was told it was illegal I had the same ball had re-weight and mine had also soaked up almost 3 oz of oil.