Load for .42 smoothbore boxlock

[Coot]

Looking for info on what would be a service load for a little .42 cal boxlock. Short smoothbore barrel - about 3.25 inches. I am guessing 15-20 grains. Any thoughts?

 

[Don]

Sounds right for that kind of pistol. If its an antique or vintage repro I'd keep it on the lighter side.

Don

 

[bwhoffman]

I got a .41 smoothie short barrel.10 gr 3F barks fairly good!
on the other spectrum...I shoot 15 gr 3F in my .50 for target work. yesterday that load and gun produced a 98xxxxx at 25 yards.
Relation here is that that .42 is gunna have a little bit of jump when you touch her off in the 15-20 gr range I'm thinking!

 

[mazo kid]

Brett, that is some nice shooting. I'm thinking the .42 cal boxlock is not going to be anywhere near a target pistol and as such would be relegated to being a self defense type of pistol. Yeah, it would bark and jump with 20 gr. of powder but that is probably about what would have been loaded in it originally. Just my thoughts....

 

[Coot]

Mazo Kid - Your thinking that these guns are self defense & not target is correct. There is no sight at all & the lock is going to block any attempt to sight down the barrel which is cannon shaped just to make it worse. Think 18c version of snubby .38 special! My reason for asking about a "service" load is to properly size a measure to put in the case that I have been asked to make for a pair of these rascals.

 

[mazo kid]

Yep, I have 6 of the muff/vest pocket pistols- 4 flintlock (one matched pair) and 2 percussion. Have not shot any of them....yet. I have made one barrel wrench for the pair, and have cleaned them internally so they work nicely now. One trigger still sticks when cocking though, won't completely drop out. I would love to see your finished case, will you post pictures when done?

 

[arquebus]

Coot, is the pistol a true muzzleloader or a turn-off barrel? If it's the latter, the powder charge is pretty much determined by the cavity on which the ball sits before screwing the barrel back on. Just a thought.

 

[Coot]

It's a true muzzleloader - not a screw-on barrel. That helps drive the need for a measure - possibly a little brass cylinder with a wire handle.

 

[mckutzy]

take a cut off rifle shell and solder a handle on it

 

[Coot]

take a cut off rifle shell and solder a handle on it

Very practical suggestion (Dixie Gun Works even lists volume for a number of casings) but not 18th c style. The pistols that I will be making the case for are $$ and I can't cut any corners on the case contents. I will need to solder a tube & make a little disc & solder that in as a base.

 

[cdg]

I cannot but agree with the 10 grain recommendations here.

I have one of those cheap brass derringers from Dixie that I shoot at 9 grains to great effect. In fact I'm surprised at how much so little powder can do to propel that roundball...