First Smoothbore, need advice

[Minute_Of_Torso]

Been shooting BP for a few years, mostly .50 and .54 flintlock rifles but I was at a gunshow in FL recently and saw something I absolutely couldn't live without: A reproduction 69 caliber Charleville smoothbore pistol.

This is my first smoothbore and I'm having a hard time getting consistent advice on powder loads, ball size, and patch size.

I'm leaning towards using a trial load of 90 grns of FFG with a .680 roundball, and .018" lubed patch. If this doesn't kill me then I can fine tune the load from there.

Anyone have any suggestions?

 

[Iggy]

I would back it off a bit!!

Try starting with a load under the size of the ball and work up...

There isn't a lot of barrel between you and that charge..

Just my .02 cents worth..

 

[Ryder]

I agree

Pistols shoot a lot lower quanity of power than the rifles you are used to. I hunt with 85gr of 2F in my 64cal smoothbore shotgun. I think 90gr would be a heap big boomer in a pistol!

Check out this link I searched up for you. They mention 69 cal smoothbore pistol using a 25gr max 3F powder loading. Now that sounds like a pistol load.

http://www.schietsport.com/dutchmuzzleloaders/swiss-lading.htm