Howdah Pistol

[burntmypiston]

Hello folks. New here but this site was recommended by a good guy and I feel like I stumbled onto a gold mine. Anyway, I just ordered a Howdah pistol from Cabelas. SxS 20 gauge smoothbores. Should be here day after tomorrow. Anyone have any info on loading one ball in each barrel? I've got powder and caps, but no balls (don't even think about it) and no experience with black powder other than C&B wheelguns. Also,anyone have a good hand surgeon for after I accidentally fire both barrels at the same time?

 

[F.G. Ford]

The new Howdah pistols are really nice pieces, and they do replicate an age gone by.
Ther is not much point in loading the gun to the max...it is smooth bore, and the range would be 20 yds. max
60 grs. 2f, and a well patched .595, would be big medicine.
Touching off both barrels at once, can cause damage to the stock, remember there is not much wood left where the two locks are cut.
Also after shooting one barrel, the second should be checked, in case the ball in the second barrel has slid forward under recoil, which may result in a barrel bulge.
Enjoy your Howdah!
Old Ford

 

[burntmypiston]

Never thought about that. So .595 balls? What size patches? Excuse my ignorance, but 1.powder, 2.patched ball. Any wads or grease? Like I said, my only experience is with C&B wheelguns. Also, any idea on the weight of a 20 gauge ball? Thanks

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

Around 320 grains.

 

[F.G. Ford]

Russ T, answered your question as to weight of ball.
That is a lot of LEAD! That is more lead than a .44mag.
As to patch lube, a mix of bees wax, olive oil,and Murphy's soap.
Melt the bees wax (2 parts) olive oil (1) part, and Murphy's soap (1) part
You can get Murphy's soap in the cleaning supplies at your grocery store, they use it on furniture, and leather ( saddle soap also works)
I cut my patches, pour a little of the lube in a can or container of some kind, and then work the mix into the patches. Don't make the patches too wet, or you will make your powder charge wet.
In most cases, I'm sure you will be be putting shot in your Howdah.
Best Regards
Old Ford

 

[Jumpshot]

...this site was recommended by a good guy...

Glad to see you made it over here. I posted the same pics and info about my Howdahs here as I did at the other place, but you'll find a lot more blackpowder-smart people here. :thumbsup:

 

[jbg]

...this site was recommended by a good guy...

Glad to see you made it over here. I posted the same pics and info about my Howdahs here as I did at the other place, but you'll find a lot more blackpowder-smart people here. :thumbsup:

Have you shot your Howdah yet? I don't recall seeing anything posted.

 

[Jumpshot]

Me? I posted a range report a few months ago. I'll look for it and bump it to the top. I just had to do the same thing at the other site for some people that were inquiring. :grin:

 

[Jumpshot]

Just bumped it, but here's the link to it...
http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/219049/post/544998/hl//fromsearch/1/

The picture threads were posted in the Photo section.

 

[jbg]

Thanks. I don't know how I missed it the first time you posted the pictures. I would say that for a weapon that was designed for close encounters of the deadly kind, the accuracy was pretty good. I seriously doubt the originals were ever used at ranges of more than 10 yards, and most often at ranges considerably less than 5.

Now if I can just pry my credit card from my wife's frugal fingers.

 

[torn moc]

TRY USING A CROW BAR....on her fingers that is..

 

[burntmypiston]

Well, she should be here tomorrow. CAN'T WAIT! Don't have any shooting supplies yet, but I do have a bunch of caps, so the boys and I will be busting them tomorrow afternoon!

 

[burntmypiston]

Okay, the Howdah arrived today. WOW! This thing is a horse! Has to weigh five pounds. It's purdy as well. Maybe I got lucky, but the wood grain is pretty nice. I can't wait to warm it up!

 

[Ron LaClair]

I've been looking at these big doubles with interest for some time now and thinking about getting one. Last weekend at a local Antique Arms show I found an original in .69cal. It's in good shootable condition, in fact I shot it last night,just one shot from each barrel. The left barrel is tighter (choked) and I loaded it with 40gr's of 2FF and 9 (nine) .32 roundballs. The right barrel I loaded with 50gr's of #6 shot over 40gr's of 2FF. From 40' (17yd's) it did very well, in fact the buckshot grouped tight enough to make it a formatable defense load. The #6 would have taken a rabbit or grouse at that range. I've ordered some .678 RB's and am anxious to try them when they come in.

 

[Bob Riegl]

:wink: As I have said to Longhunter "Naow thass a gun---Mate".....But I am confused a bit re: Pedersoli Howdah Hunter as you guys describe it. In the Pedersoli catalog it advertises it as using a .490 ball and you fellows are using .600 + ball--Where does my confusion lay or is the gun sold in several different formats i.e. .50 cal smoothbore or rifled and/or 20ga. smoothbore---in other words what is Cabela's selling ( I like their price), since I will not order a rusted nipple from DGW.

 

[Roy]

cool pistol ya have there :thumbsup:

 

[Jumpshot]

The Pedersoli is available in three versions, a double 20-gauge (which is what mine are), a .50/50 (rifled), and a 20/.50.

 

[torn moc]

thats a fantastic gun! and to get a Bear with it the first time you shoot it is great!
I bet the bear just rolled over dead as soon as he looked down those bores! :rotf: :rotf: :rotf:

 

[Ron LaClair]

That Bear was taken with an osage Longbow. Next time I'll have the Howdah with both barrels loaded with RB's as a backup...just in case.

 

[burntmypiston]

Well folks, the truck just dumped it's transmission.

edit:deleted the remainder of the post.
Sorry but we can't offer things for sale in the regular posts. I would recommend that any offer to sell stuff be made in our Classified Ad section of the forum.
Zonie