pedersoli kentucky pistol - what size patch & ball?

[morehops]

Took my new 50 cal. Kentucky pistol out ot the range today. I bought some .490 round balls and .010 paches that I lubed with bore butter. I had to really put a lot of force on the short starter to get the ball passed the crown. Once into the barrel I could get it down and to seat. It concerns nme though about the amount of force I had to use to get it started. I had to give up on one ball when it started to deform before it cleared the crown.
I'm thinking that maybe going to a .457 rb with .015 or .020 patches might be the answer. If any of you have a Pedorsoli 50 cal can you tell me what projectile you're using? I almost hate to look for another load as this one was producing 5 shot groups that measured 3-1/4" at 25 yards!
BTW, I've tried finding a gun shop that can mic my barrels but have struck out so far.
thanks for any help.

 

[Old Charlie]

I have one and have the same problem. I first tried to load it with a .015 patch and that just was not going to happen. I went to .010 patches and can load and fire and very accurately. It is a pain that it is that hard to load but I just live with it.
Old Charlie

 

[R.M.]

I have heard, but not personally seen of some wrong sized balls being mixed in a purchased package. This could be what you've run into.

 

[morehops]

hadn't thought about wrong sized balls. But I first bought 50 cal saboted balls because that's all that they had at the shop near the range. I could not get close to getting a sabot started and ended up using the ball with a thick patch. I think I'm going to have to experiment with various smaller balls and patch combinations.

 

[Powerkicker]

My Pedersoli .50 Kentucky loads easily with .490 and .010 patch.Shoots well too.

 

[Bill Bryan]

I've been shooting my .50 Kentucky Pistol for several years. You are correct that it is really a .49 Cal instead of .50 cal.

 

[Ken Rummer]

I had a similar problem with my .50 KY by Traditions. Bore is .501 on lands and .516 in groove. It was hard to seat. a .490 with .015 patch and it should not have been.

I went to .480 with .018 patch and it seated easier but did not shoot too good. I tried the .480 in the sabot. They went in with thumb pressure but shot wild.

Since the ramrod (5/16) provided by Traditions is worthless I bought a Pistol Short Starter from TotW. It is 10" long and stiff enough (.425 dia) to get some force on it and it lets me load .490 with .018 and .020 patches which shoot great. Cost is less than $10.