.45 Pedersoli Pennsylvania

[higene]

I hate this BP shooting sport. Yesterday a .45 Pennsylvania followed me home. This poor gun has been abused. It was locked in a closet for 25-30 years! I have been petting it and talking to it for two days. It seems to be recovering from its traumatic experience well.

It is very similar to a Traditions Crockett .32 that I have. It does have a full stock. A lot of the parts look like they would be interchangeable. The .45 is a Pedersoli made in Italy, the .32 is a Traditions made in Spain. The .45 has about a 20 lb trigger pull which is disconcerting but it shoots well, albeit low.

I have a Pedersoli manual that I got with my Howdah. In it they put the Max load Pennsylvania .45 at 38 grains of BP. That seems a tad low to me.

My questions are:

1. Does anyone know the twist rate on these guns (Pedersoli .45 produced in the late ' 70s or early eighties)?

2. Does anyone know if I can buy a replacement set trigger for a gun this old?

3. Recommended loads for this gun (I can't find the deer loads link on this site).

Higene

 

[Ratdog68]

You poor soul you...

Sorry, can't offer ya any wisdom (that'll be enough outta da peanut gallery fixin' to jump in)... but I can offer ya some congrats on the acquisition.

 

[arcticap]

1. This post describes how to measure the rate of twist which is the only way to be sure what of it is:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=5022417&postcount=11

2. This is the oldest and largest Pedersoli distributor to ask about parts.

http://www.flintlocksetc.com/

Also, an outfit by the name of either Lee Shaver or Lee Shavers Gunsmithing is [or was] the warrany repair station for Pedersoli USA. Their phone number is 417-682-3330, PO box 570, La Mar, Missouri, 64759. They may be able to order parts and will also do the gunsmithing work if necessary.

If all else fails, try emailing Pedersoli directly through their website. At least they should be able tell you who is actively ordering parts. However they don't always carry replacement parts for older guns.

3. The rule of thumb for starting loads is to load the number of grains of powder to match the caliber, although short range target loads can sometimes be slightly less.
Then work up the most accurate load by increasing the powder charge in increments of 5-10 grains.
BTW, I like to use fffg powder in the .45's.