.45 Pedersoli Kentucky shooting

[Stantheman86]

Today I learned that Pedersoli does indeed ship their pistols with sights that hit way low.

I love this pistol , today was my first time firing this one. Despite the super heavy trigger pull and having to hold the front sight blade halfway up in the rear notch, I was able to get something resembling a group at 25 yards.

It seemed to like .15 patches lubed with Mr Flintlocks patch lube. with .440 round balls, 20 gr of Old Eynesford 3f. With a .45 felt wad.

.10 patches did "ok" but were no easier loading than the .15 patches.

It was my first time using glass bottles with a pre measured charge , really no advantage vs using a flask and powder measure but it made me feel cool I guess. They work and you can get 50 of them for like $5 off Ebay, they kind of add that "Period correct target shoot" feel.

The loading stand was a God Send. Made shooting so much more fun and also helped with cleaning. The stand is a must for target shooting in my opinion. Clean up was a breeze, the Old Eynesford seems cleaner burning and pistols are always so much easier to clean than rifles. A bottle full of water and Dawn followed by a Murphys patch then Eezox for protection, done. Super easy.

Overall a fun day, I may replace the front blade with a Lyman globe sight I have sitting on my table full of random items.

 

[Gene L]

My Pedersoli also shot way low. I had to file down the front sight considerably. I think they all do.

 

[Stantheman86]

I installed a William's adjustable semi buckhorn rear sight, kept the stock front sight. Works perfect, however I discovered that my rear dovetail is slightly crooked. No big deal , we're talking a $350 mass produced pistol not a Colonial Williamsburg produced $9,000 Flintlock.

 

[Bill Bryan]

Same here. I replaced the front sight and installed a set trigger. It's much nicer to shoot now. Bill

 

[Stony Broke]

I shoot one of these in a club match once a month...and won a plaque for the year again. It has surprised me how well it shoots. I use the 445 balls in it though with 20 gr. FFF. I have other pistols that have seen considerable competition use with me, but this Pedersoli is doing well. I changed out both sights with a set of California Sights as they are something that has worked for me a lot on other guns.
I actually bought a new Pedersoli Charles Moore model months ago and have never gotten around to even shooting it. Just haven't had the need so far.

 

[Stantheman86]

I can definitely see the potential for these to be fun match pistols, they have the ability.

I am going to try the .445 balls in it the next time I order round balls.

I had the pistol out yesterday again, so far it seems to like the .440 ball with a .15 patch and Mr Flintlocks lube. Also a wool wad under the ball. When I did my part, from a rest, I was shooting 5 shot ragged holes right through the bull at 25 yards.

As the day wore on and fatigue set in I started pulling to the left. I put about 100 balls through it yesterday.

Had a few caps that failed to pop, but I am using Treso nipples made for a T/C,they might be a bit short.

This pistol does not like the little .45 Minies either, they didn't even hit the paper.

.440 ball with .10 patches did OK but by the time I tried those it was late in the day so didn't get a good "fresh" target with them.

.433 balls with .15 patches grouped like a buckshot Pattern, no good.

I ordered a Marbles buckhorn rear sight tonight from Midway, that Williams rear sight looked "farby" and it bugged me. At least the Marbles has some kind of vintage look to it.

The trigger pull is heavy but manageable, the gun has the capability to put them through the same hole at 25. The fundamentals have to come together and it's not very forgiving with that heavy pull.

 

[Treestalker]

Stan, I'm working on a long barreled Kentucky and looking for ideas, could you please tell me where to obtain a set of bottles like yours and what the Marbles sight looks like? I have an adjustable sight on this barrel, but I don't know what it is. I don't like it because it folds forward. Thank You for your post, your set up really looks traditional and good. George.

 

[Stantheman86]

Thank You

This is a pic of the Williams sight (in the thumbnail) but I don't like how it looks, plus its aluminum.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/3...r-confirmation&utm_content=product-image-link

This is a link to the Marble's full Buckhorn rear sight that fits the 3/8 dovetail. It's shorter than the William's I have on now so it will fit the pistol. Since these are pretty much the same sights that Marbles has made since the 1870s they at least look like they might belong on the gun while allowing more utility as a fun range shooter.

The bottles I get dirt cheap off Ebay, these are the 2ml size , but I have larger ones for my .451 Volunteer rifle and smaller ones. Just search for "small glass bottles with cork" and use a US seller so shipping doesnt take forever.

They're actually "craft bottles" or for using for decorative use etc but they are perfect "period " looking charge bottles. They're like $6 per 50 so if you lose or break some it's no big deal but they seem pretty durable actually.

The loading stand is hand made by a man who sells on Ebay, for $20 plus shipping he makes them to order. Its not 100% "authentic " since he uses a modern hinge and Phillip's screws, if it matters to anyone , but it's a good , solid range stand that makes it so much more fun to shoot.

 

[johnfrommd]

Same here. I replaced the front sight and installed a set trigger. It's much nicer to shoot now. Bill

Hi, where did you get the front sight? I have a Pedersoli Benjamin Moore pistol and the dovetail is the narrowest that I have ever seen. Unlike the OP's Kentucky, my Moore sight is too low and shoots about 10 inches above POA. I don't want to file down the rear sight until I am sure I can't get a higher front sight. I know I can open the dovetails to 3/8" but that is a last resort.

 

[Stantheman86]

I'm surprised that an expensive target pistol like the Moore isnt regulated better. I believe the rear sights are fixed to meet Competition rules.

Maybe contact Pedersoli and ask for a higher front sight.

 

[FishDFly]

Hi, where did you get the front sight? I have a Pedersoli Benjamin Moore pistol and the dovetail is the narrowest that I have ever seen. Unlike the OP's Kentucky, my Moore sight is too low and shoots about 10 inches above POA. I don't want to file down the rear sight until I am sure I can't get a higher front sight. I know I can open the dovetails to 3/8" but that is a last resort.

Contact Richard at Flintlocks Etc. about the proper front sight. Pedersoli for some time put the wrong front sights on the Moore's. Both of mine shot 12 inches high at 25 yards.

Another option is below:

LEE SHAVER GUNSMITH
404 East 17th St. - P.O. Box 570 - 64759 - LAMAR, MO.

• Phone: 001 417 682 3330
• fax:
• Email: [email protected]