Shot my kentucky .54 today for the first time.

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BlackNet

40 Cal.
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took my newly made pistol kit over to the range today to try it out. seems to be quite good. some of the patched balls didn't want to seat properly as it was very hard while others went it smoothly. most were abit on the hard side.

I have these quick shot plastic tubes to hold everything and i'm not to fond of one style.

My shots were going low about 6-7 inches and i was using 30 grains of goex. tried 35, 40 and 45 grains with the same results. Looks like it's front sight shaving time.

Ed
 
Ed,

You do not give the distance for the high shots. Shooting high is generally a good thing, since filing the front sight is a lot easier than making it grow back!

Pedersoli bores seem a tad tight -- you might try a smaller ball or thinner patch before you get to the filing process.

CS.
 
excellent point. I have decided to wait and NOT file it but to try a few things first. Didn't think about the ball or patch but was thinking more in terms of powder.

I am using speer 0.530" round balls and some 0.15" patches that's prelubed. I had some difficulty getting some down the bore, 2 didn't want to go down all the way but lucky I did my homework and marked the ramrod and measured it often.

Another possibility of shooting low is trigger control, since this was the first time I shot it it could very well have been something I was doing incorrectly.

Ed
 
excellent point. I have decided to wait and NOT file it but to try a few things first. Didn't think about the ball or patch but was thinking more in terms of powder.

I am using speer 0.530" round balls and some 0.15" patches that's prelubed. I had some difficulty getting some down the bore, 2 didn't want to go down all the way but lucky I did my homework and marked the ramrod and measured it often.

Another possibility of shooting low is trigger control, since this was the first time I shot it it could very well have been something I was doing incorrectly.

Ed
:imo:You should shoot about 200 rounds out of it before you do any fileing . :results: :m2c:
 
Are You wipeing the bore between shots? Have You checked the condition of the fired patches to see if they show signs of being cut by the rifleing when loading?As was suggested,fire several rounds before attempting to adjust the sight(s).Remember to only change one componet at a time.30grns.should be a good basic load for sighting in,I'd drop back to a thinner patch untill the bore gets burnished some.
 
You didn't say if Your useing real BP or a subistute for propellent.If You fired several shots with a heavy load,and went back to 30grns.without wipeing the bore the crud ring from the heavy loads woud tend to short stop the PRB from seating all the way.
 
Hello,

I am using goex FFFg. I was unable to locate any of the patches to check them. As for the 200 rounds that sounds like a swell idea to me.

Patch thickness is 0.15 and ball size is 0.530 speer.

Ed
 
the shots are low, around 6 to 7 inches low. range is around 25 yards I think, am not good at the pacing thing. I will pick up some smaller balls and see how they handle.

Ed
 
Hello,

I am using goex FFFg. I was unable to locate any of the patches to check them. As for the 200 rounds that sounds like a swell idea to me.

Patch thickness is 0.15 and ball size is 0.530 speer.

Ed
Not only will shooting 200 rounds help to break in the barrel , you will gain an intimite knowledge of how your pistol shoots and should have your load worked out . when you do start fileing , go SLOW . It's easier to take more metal off , than it is to put metal back on . I read in another post here , about using a piece of cardboard with a slot cut in it for the front sight to go through , to protect the barrel when the file slips off the sight (not if , when) . Sounds like a good idea to me . :thumbsup:
 
I bought a Dixie hair curler mold that throws an undersized ball (between .486 and .487) which I use in my Pedersoli Kentucky .50. This has made loading easier and is fairly accurate. It also shoots a bit low, but I am just holding high for now. I have been shooting at 15 yards. I am going to pound in some of my .490s and .495s just to lay those sizes to rest, but suspect that I will finally go with the undersized Dixie for this gun.

CS
 
Sounds like a job for masking tape to me. I can live with 200 rounds.

I noticed in many movies when they loaded there were no patches used and using round balls. Not sure what size and all that either.

Ed
 
Shooting high is generally a good thing, since filing the front sight is a lot easier than making it grow back!
Isn't filing the front sight going to raise the POI?

??sse??
 
>>>Isn't filing the front sight going to raise the POI?<<<

Yup

<<<since filing the front sight is a lot easier than making it grow back!>>>

I must have confused people with:

<<<Shooting high is generally a good thing, since filing the front sight is a lot easier than making it grow back!>>>

By this I meant that holding high (commonly refered to as a 12 o'clock hold) as you shoot can allow you to continue load development. This is far better than removing some of the sights prematurely.

<<<It also shoots a bit low, but I am just holding high for now.>>>

The key words in my sentence were "for now." As I am still working up a load, it would not be wise to file anything for now. I can hold high and shoot for goup until satisfied with my load. Once I have the most accurate and consistent load, I will again think about sights.

CS
 
Yeh, what Crackstock said... I think.

Now what was I thinking? Doughnuts the worlds most perfect food.

If you shoot low and have no adjustment in the rear you have to lower the front sight to get it to shoot higher. As bad as it sounds it works ok. Just make sure you protect the barrel from your file I didn't a couple of times and scared brand new guns.

You live and you learn. At least they shot higher afterwards :youcrazy:
 
Try blacking the front sight with a perment ink pen then put a drop of whiteout as the front sight you can scrape it off and reapply if it to high or to low.This will give you a quick referance.RunningBear. :m2c:
 
Why use a sharpie pen when I have this?

carbide_flame.sized.jpg


Ed
 
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