Percussion Pistol Questions

[BarberSurgeon]

Hi all.

I picked this Percussion cap pistol up a few years ago to fill out a pirate costume. Never got around to shooting it before, but always meant to get to know about black powder and muzzle loading so finally did.

It is Marked "F.I.E. Italy 433" on the barrel. I picked up some Speer .433 round balls, #11 primers, and 777 FFFg powder. Also .015 lubed patches.

Tried to start a patched ball, and it seemed reallly tight. So tried a naked ball. was snug enough, so shot it without patches for about 20 rounds. I was hitting the target at 15-20 yards but not a tack driver. (Loaded with 25 grains 777)

Later I got out the caliper and measured the bore. I think I was getting .439 on the grooves. So Should I try to pound a ball and patch in next time? The next smallest ball I can find seems like it would be too small to be snug with a patch.

Also the caps were fairly loose on the nipple. Suggestions?

 

[CoyoteJoe]

That is definitely an odd bore size. If a naked .433" ball is snug then maybe try the thinnest cloth you can find, well lubricated. I found cotton sheeting at Walmart which measures only .008" and something like that might not be too hard to load with a ball starter. Since you mentioned you were new to this I will mention that you don't have to buy pre cut and packaged patches, just get some thin cloth and cut your own, square or round or cut at the muzzle. I'd start with about 15 grains of 3f or Pyrodex "P". If caps tend to fall off just squeeze them a bit out of round. Above all, have fun!

 

[cynthialee]

I was thinking a smaller ball and thicker patch might do the trick? Maybe a .420 round ball.
Never had one of them one shot pistols, revolvers are my forte`.

 

[zimmerstutzen]

Looks like an older Pedersoli Kentucky pistol. The earlier Italian pistols were sold as 44 caliber guns, but I think were technically a bit smaller, like 11mm. I have three such Italian single shots and with a extremely thin Muslin Patch, I still bruise a hand starting a .433 ball.

I am not aware of any common over the counter supplier for proper size balls, so I continue to mash the .433's.

30 years ago, Lee sold a .429 caliber round ball mold. Might be possible to find one. There are a few reasonably priced custom mold makers who just a CNC machine to cut the mold rather than making a cherry. I heard of one that charges about $35 but don't have a name or contact info.

 

[Don]

The next size smaller that can be purchased is a .395 diameter. With a thicker patch this combo might work well.

Don

 

[BarberSurgeon]

I'll try to cut some thin patch material an see how that feels in the muzzle.

Thanks for all the help guys.