.32 Kentucky rifle and water jug test

David LaPell · Sep 26, 2024

I did a test was with the Pedersoli Kentucky Rifle using 1 gallon water jugs. four of them lined up, again, same load as before, 25 grains of FFFG Schutzen, and a .010" patch. The .311" roundballs I used were cast from .570" Hornady balls I recycled and melted down. The jugs were shot from about 7 yards away, the .311" ball went through the first three jugs, entered the fourth and bounced off the backside of the fourth creating a slight dimple. The roundball suffered no deformation at all.

The four water jugs right as the .311" ball hits the first jug.

The dimple in the back of the fourth jug.

The .311" ball after the water jug test.

longcruise · Sep 26, 2024

The lack of deformation is very interesting. Wonder what would happen as the charge increases??

stubshaft · Sep 27, 2024

What's interesting is that there are no indentations or marks showing that the patch was in contact with the ball.

kyron4 · Sep 27, 2024

Saw your video on YouTube, interesting results. Any idea on the velocity with this load ? I would have thought some deformation. However, with my 50 cal pistol with 25 grains of 3F, the ball don't deform either. I estimate velocity at around 700-750 fps out of my pistol.

Rifleman1776 · Sep 27, 2024

Interesting but not sure what it proves.

David LaPell · Sep 27, 2024

Rifleman1776 said:
Interesting but not sure what it proves.

Not necessarily anything, but the only difference between science and screwing around is writing it down.

mtman2k · Sep 28, 2024

For my 32 Pedersoli Kentucky, I found that a .315" ball and a .010" patch worked best. With a hand cast .311" ball I didnt get the accuracy AND the load of 25g of FFF Swiss seemed 'lite'. Then I read that Pedersoli recommends the .315 ball and .010 patch. Tried it and the groups are now one holers and the shots sound more like a bang and not a pfffft. The patches also show full engagement now.

.32 Kentucky rifle and water jug test

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