Undersized bore

[JasonM]

I have a Kentucky style flintlock pistol, barrel made by Pedersoli, which I was trying to shoot with a patched .440 ball last weekend, but couldn't get the patched ball into the barrel. So I did away with the patch and just used the ball.
Don't really know what sort of accuracy I was getting because I just pointed it at the berm and shot to see whether it functioned (I'd never shot it before).
I got it used from a guy who bought it in the early 90's.
Anyway, since I couldn't get the patched ball in, I decided to slug the bore, and I'm getting .443 from land to groove.
So I'm thinking I'll have to either buy a .435 ball mould in order to shoot this with patched balls. Anyone have any suggestions?

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

Before you spend money on a mold, try some different size balls to be sure of what size you want. You really need at least a .015" patch. With pistol size charges, you might get by with .012" material and not burn or tear them, and you can try it if you want. I'd start with some .433 balls and see how they work. Use a good, non-petroleum based lube. You want a nice snug load but not so tight that you work up a sweat loading. These guns can be very accurate so have a little patience. Dan

 

[JasonM]

Good point; I'll pick up a box of .433s and see how those work. I was using straight beef tallow as a lube, seemed like it would have worked pretty well.

 

[Don]

I agree with Russ. A .433 ball with a patch will work fine.

Don

 

[luieb45]

I have had the exact same problem with my old foreign made .45 cal kentucky rifle. I couldn't get the ball started with a .440 ball with a .010 patch. I switched to the .433 ball and had good luck with it and a .010 patch. Just keep trying different things. I know how you feel it the process was frustrating to me.

 

[biliff]

.44 caliber Pedersoli's typically take a .433 ball so you're on the right track. I've been using a .010 patch with light charges (15 grains for percussion, 20 grains for flint) in mine.