Newbie with a ?

[Ethan Grotheer]

Hello all,
Stumbled across this forum yesterday and it looks pretty nice.
I haven't had much time to play with any of my muzzleloaders for a while, but yesterday I picked a Traditions Kentucky pistol in .50 cal that has really got my mind to spinning again with blackpowder. Problem is I picked it up used so I dont have an owner's manual. I just bought a can of Pyrodex FFG that I use in my percussion cap rifles, so I'm wondering what is my safe limit as far as my charge goes out of this pistol with this powder? I plan on shooting 240gr. Buffalo Bullets I picked up yesterday, that I believe would do the trick on whitetails within closer range out of this pistol.
I would appreciate any input.

THanks,
Ethan

 

[Don]

I'm not an expert on pistol hunting so I'll leave that to someone else. I have a CVA Kentucky pistol in 50 cal and have shot 40 grains of Pyrodex RS under a patched round ball. That load is stiff but safe. I would imagine that a conical bullet would need a smaller load in order to avoid excessive pressure. Maybe 30 or 35 grains would be OK but I'm not completely sure of that.

Don

 

[Billnpatti]

Here ya go!!
http://www.traditionsfirearms.com/eshop/products/TRADITIONS SIDELOCK BOOK1.pdf