When will I be strong enough to push RB down a Plains .54 single shot pistol?

[YJake]

My Pedersoli .54 Kentucky loves a .530 ball with .015 lubed patch. I can thumb start if I want to but usually use a short starter at the range.

-Jake

 

[Notchy Bob]

I agree with Grenadier. I think at this point we want to get Tony burning powder and making smoke, shooting safely and enjoying his pistols. I think he'll have more fun if his pistols are easier to load. Most people contend that a very tight ball and patch combination give best accuracy in most rifled muzzleloaders, but may be more difficult to load. I've shot .480" balls in my .50 caliber rifles and they are good enough at shorter ranges.

Tony, you may want to invest in some balls. Track of the Wolf has .480" round balls for your .50 caliber pistol, and .520" and .526" balls for your .54. Graf & Sons has round balls in .487" and .528", from Missouri Bullet Company, as well as .480" Hornaday round balls.

Good luck!

Notchy Bob

 

[flintsteel]

Coning the muzzle of your pistol makes loading much easier. No pounding of the ball to get it started and accuracy is not hurt. Search “muzzle coning tool” on this forum.

 

[ormond tony]

Just went to range today with my two pistols. The .54 pistol: I got 520 RB with .018 patch down the barrel with just the starter and ramrod and me. GREAT!!! The 50 pistol: I got a .440 RB with the same .018 patch down the same way. GREAT!!!! It felt WONDERFUL. Hit the target at 21 feet so now I need to find out aim and windage. I used 30gr of triple 7 for both.
Thanks for all the help and info. Be safe and have a great holiday season!!!!!!

 

[Notchy Bob]

Good going there, Ormond Tony! Thanks for the update!

Notchy Bob