Reccomended load for Harpers Ferry Pistol

[ChairForce1]

What is the reccomended load for a .58 Harpers?

/edit: Oops...thought I was posting in the smoothbore section.

 

[Zonie]

I don't know what the original loads were for the Harpers Ferry pistol but Dixie Gunworks catalog says the load for the .58 U.S. Springfield Pistol Model 1855 was a .570-.575 ball over 40 grains of FFg powder.

That gun was a "Pistol-Carbine" with a 12 inch barrel but I would think the load would work quite well in your pistol.

 

[nkbj]

You may find that adjusting the charge for elevation is beneficial. Lots of muzzle climb with that punkin.
Mine's rifled.

Nice lady in Italy mailed me a new spring for free. Big thumbs up for Pedersoli.

 

[flibuste]

Hello,

I have just resumed tests with my HF pistol after the cock had been modified ( cutting the front arc, bending it and welding);

what an improvement ! before the cock modification the flint was destroyed before any serious shooting could occur ; but today I shot 15 balls with only one or 2 flash in the pan (not due to the lock by the way) and the flint is like new...........

This makes a huge difference between a wall-hanger and a shooter !!

The load was : 45 gr BP, 20gr cornmeal and 560 patched ball

regards

 

[Zoar]

Cool! I'm glad to hear you converted that wall hanger into a shooter!

40 grains of 3F under a patched .570 punkin ball.

 

[ChairForce1]

I should be breaking her in tomorrow. Will post pics. Any advice on shooting since the "front sight only" concept is new to me?

 

[ChairForce1]

I don't know what the original loads were for the Harpers Ferry pistol but Dixie Gunworks catalog says the load for the .58 U.S. Springfield Pistol Model 1855 was a .570-.575 ball over 40 grains of FFg powder.

That gun was a "Pistol-Carbine" with a 12 inch barrel but I would think the load would work quite well in your pistol.

pistol carbine...you mean there's a stock attachment for it?

 

[flintlock75]

I have a Harpers ferry pistol in .54 cal.I use a load of 35gr of 3F and a patched .530 ball. It is a fun gun to shoot.
The trick to the front sight only is aim low.
At 20 yards on a b27 silouete i aim at the belt buckle and the rounds hit center mass ie 18" above POA. Each gun is different but this meathod has worked with several simalar guns.

 

[Zonie]

With the .58 U.S. Springfield Pistol Model 1855, yes. It had a removable stock and a 12 inch barrel.

It was a Calvary gun and the idea was that the mounted troops could use it for medium range fighting while on foot.

I don't think the idea was very popular with the troops.

 

[nkbj]

For front sight only shooting it's just a matter of practice and being as consistent as you can. Those were really saber fighting days. The pistol was like having a pike with a little longer reach.

Dangit, I need more range time.

 

[ChairForce1]

30gr seems to be working best for me.