32 Crockett questions

[dan d]

I'm thinking about getting a 32, I copied the info below. What size roundball & patch should I get with this gun ? I realize I might have to experiment, but what size do I start with ? A lot of confusing info on the net.

Thanks !
Dan

CROCKETT PISTOL KIT
By: Traditions
Crockett Pistol Kit .32cal Percussion . A classic hooked breech pistol kit in .32 cal. Designed with the small game hunter in mind. Kit comes select hardwood stock, 10" barrel with a 1 in 48" twist, fixed blade sights, single trigger. It is 15 inches overall and weighs 2  3/4 lb.
Description Order No. Price Order Now
Crockett Pistol Kit
 .32 Caliber Percussion 15-42652 $195.00

 

[Zonie]

It is designed for shooting patched roundballs.
http://www.traditionsfirearms.com/product_info.php?products_id=146

Like all guns that shoot a patched roundball the ball must be smaller than bore size. Usually about .010 inch is selected so a .310 diameter ball should work fine.

One of the nice things about patched roundballs is if a size isn't available, a different size can be used by changing the patch thickness.
I'm not saying a LOT different size but a few thousandths difference won't cause a problem.

Most rifle shooters use fairly thick patches with their roundballs but I don't recommend this for pistols.
With a rifle, there is a lot of mass to the gun and its easy to rest the butt on your shoe top or the ground. That makes getting a tight patch started pretty easy with a short starter.

A pistol is fairly light.
It can be dangerous to rest the grip on a hard surface while starting the ball because often the grain of the wood will shear off at the grip if a hard blow is given to the muzzle.
That's why I don't like tight patch/ball combinations for pistols.

If the patch is equal to or thicker than the rifling depth it will work nicely.

For starters I suggest a .310 diameter ball and a .010 thick patch.
This should load fairly easily and with most rifling it should seal.

For most pistol loads I like to use about half of what a rifle load would be.

You've heard the old, "For a .50 cal, start with 50 grains...", or, "For a .45 cal, start with 45 grains..."?
Those are fine for rifles but you'll be about right if you cut the rifle answer in half.
That would make a starting load for a .50 about 25 grains. For a .45 it would be about 22 grains and for a little .32 it would be about 16 grains.

Use a fast burning powder like a 3Fg or Pyrodex P.
They will give the best velocity and the least fouling.

Have fun!

 

[dan d]

Thanks for all the info !

I will have fun as I am quickly becoming addicted to the blackpowder handgun. They are so much easier to clean as I was always paranoid if I was getting out all the water after cleaning a long rifle. A little handgun barrel is easy to throw in a hot bucket of soap water to clean. I just have a hard time with water near a gun, it just sounds like a recipe for rust. Don't get me wrong, I have owned a 50 cal muzzleloader rifle for over 30 years & it is spotless, but I drive myself crazy making sure it gets dried out after a cleaning.

Thanks again,
Dan

 

[Musketeer]

A bit of a hijack, but does anyone know if there's a small replacement flintlock that will fit these pistols with minimal fitting? Given the drum/nipple setup, it would be easy enough to put a vent liner in. I could swear there was some discussion of this some time ago, but I can't find it. I'd love to have one of these in flint, even if the lock cost as much as the gun itself. :hmm:

 

[Crow Beads]

Where did you find this item for that price if it was online?

 

[dan d]

http://www.possibleshop.com/pistol-kit.html

 

[Shifty]

I wander if the Pirate Pistol lock would work.

 

[Musketeer]

I wander if the Pirate Pistol lock would work.

I don't know how they compare in size. I was thinking of something like one of these :hmm:

 

[Black Jack]

The Traditions service dept. should be able to tell you if the Crockett lock plate is the same size as on the rifle, for which L&R makes a replacement lock. Also, the L&R does not just "drop in". It requires the removal of some wood due to the internals of the lock being somewhat larger. I would be concerned that the pistol stock is thick enough in the area of the lock to allow the wood removal required.