Loading for a sidelock pistol

[RobertsGunsmithing]

Finding supplies is a chore. Buddy has a .45 CVA trapper replica. Load info says a .440 ball and a .015 patch.
What about using a .45 wad over the powder and a .454 ball? ( just happen to have those)
OR... powder, wad, shot, and a shot card?

 

[andy52]

How ever you do it the ball has to engage the rifling if you don't use a patch.

 

[D Yager]

.440 ball for the .45 with an.012 to .018 patch. A 454 ball will need to be beaten into the bore to get it started.

 

[RobertsGunsmithing]

A 454 ball will need to be beaten into the bore to get it started.

I thought that may be the case. Best if he waits for the right balls, or we could load it with shot.