Need advice

[djack]

I have built a .44 flintlock kit. It is a Pennsylvania pistol, but I do not know the manufacturer. I have no documentation or instructions for the kit. Can someone please suggest the correct ball and charge I should use?

 

[Poor Private]

An easy way to find the size of the caliber is use a micrometer at the barrel end.
If it is a .44 the powder load can be subjective. You can use as little as 15 grains or alot more. what you have to do is start small and work your way up in increments of 5 grains until you find what is the most accurate load.

 

[Blizzard of '93]

measure with 'calipers' the groove diameter. a .430 should be about right - patched of course.
and yes Poor Private has it right on powder, use 3F. 15-20 grs is about right for a target load.
and post a photo if you can, I'd like to see your build.

 

[djack]

Thanks fellas. That's good advice. I will follow up with photos soon.

 

[Zonie]

As was suggested, measure your pistols bore, land to land. The ball size should be .010 to .015 smaller than the bore size.

Although patching with thick tight fitting patch/ball combinations is a good idea with a rifle, it can make loading a pistol a bit of a chore.
For that reason, you might want to start with some .010 thick patching (cotton only).

If the recovered .010 patches show that they have torn or burned thru try a little thicker patch.

 

[crockett]

You have a little wiggle room. On a 54 caliber most folks use a .530 ball but some opt for .526 because it loads easier. Without a patch the ball ought to roll into the barrel but with a patch you need to use some pressure and a short starter to seat the ball.
I've never done it but I've heard you can drill through an slightly over sized ball and put it on a threaded rod, nuts on either end to hold the ball. Seat the ball and mike it.