Which Pistol to Buy

[Zonie]

Congratulations.

In a number of posts on this forum about loads you will see the members like to use .018 thick patches.

When reading these posts, keep in mind that most of them are talking about rifle loads.

While the use of a tight patch/ball combination is fine with rifles, where the stock can be placed against the ground it is usually not easily used in a pistol.

I recommend that you start with some .010, .012 and .015 thick patches in that order to save wear and tear from the heavy ball/patch starting pressures needed with the thick patches.
If a fired .010 patch looks burned where the ball contacts the bore then switch to the next thicker patch.

Often a pistol will shoot exceptionally well with the thin patches and they sure are a lot easier to load.

 

[Zoar]

Zonie and all--- 100% agree. I do not comprehend this ultra thick patch penchant and needing a pile driver to get the ramrod down the barrel. I have witnessed this on the muzzleloader range and the end result a high % of the time is---a broken ramrod, profanity, and grief. Man, I can do without all that drama! Besides thin patches work very well. At least, in my experience. :thumbsup:

 

[Seavey]

I appreciate the advice on loading pistols with different patch and ball sizes. I have .005, .010, .015 pre-lubed patches and .490 balls to start with when my pistol arrives. The .015 patch with a .490 ball is a very tight load in my 16 year old CVA rifle but probably won't be in a new pistol. I am eager to try out my first muzzleloading pistol. Should have ordered it next day air, but like I said before my wife says I always go cheap.

Marshall