Pedersoli Blue Ridge Flint Rifle

[Maj Dad]

I am about to hit "Send" on the buy button on a Cabela's Pedersoli Blue Ridge Flintlock rifle in 50 cal. Before I do, I thought I would ask if anyone has any negatives about it? There were 17 reviews on their website, all favorable and most 5/5. I also am ignorant of what all I need beyond the obvious things, like a powder measure, flash hole pick (?) and a possibles bag (or old fanny pack). I went through the BP essentials sticky but didn't see anything that looked pertinent (doesn't meant it ain't there ) I know I need patches, better if lubed, but what size for a .490 Hornady round ball? They list thicknesses of .05", .10", and .20" but I am a complete BP neophyte (at least for flintlocks). I truly would appreciate any guidance on these basics, and I will get into the details as I go. I have several ancestors who fought in the Revolution, two at Kings Mountain, SC, and I have been wanting to walk in their moccasins, so to say...
Thanks,
George J.
Sumter, SC

 

[BigG]

I'd try the .010 thick cotton patch material assuming from experience that a 50 caliber barrel is .500 bore and .510 groove diameter. The .010 patch doubled as it must be to cover the ball would just fill the bill. I'll leave the other questions for somebody who will be here shortly. Enjoy the smokepole!

 

[Hanshi]

I recommend : black powder, .490" lead balls, .015" ticking patches, an adjustable powder measure, extra flints, leather to hold flints in the cock and Hoppes #9 BP Lube. Also don't forget to clean it with plain water (maybe a drop of dish detergent if you like), dry thoroughly and coat, not slather, the bore with a good rust preventative. These are suppose to be very nice shooters, by the way.

 

[Maj Dad]

Bought It

"Click"
"Thank you for your order..."

Finally joined the BP society! Really excited to get started. And now comes the Accessorizing

Looking forward to learning from you guys, and having fun shooting these guns.

 

[davepool]

Welcome to your new addiction.
I gave muzzle loaders a try a year and a half ago and have become thoroughly engrossed in it. What started out as one 1858 remington has turned into 6 cap & ball revolvers, one flintlock pistol, two caplock pistols and 5 rifles....and of course all of the necessary accouterments.

 

[eastbank]

i shoot and hunt with one and its a very fine rifle, i use black english flints with 65grs fff and a .494 home cast RB with a very tight patch.. i did have to change the front sight to get it zeroed at 75yds.eastbank

 

[Maj Dad]

Got It!

Came last Friday - shipped on Wednesday. Everything looks very nice, no wood-metal misfitting or apparent metal defects. Trigger works well, set trigger seems to be about 8 ounces or so. Now I have to start accumulating the accouterments that go with it - I feel like I need a little cart to haul it all in! Luckily I have a friend who is into BP in a big way and he has just about everything I need including powder. Really looking forward to getting set up and starting to burn charcoal again - been over 40 years since I used it in my old Trapdoor! I have been reading all the posts here, and elsewhere, and there is a wealth of information thanks to you guys - hats off to you
Cheers,
George J.
(I _have_ determined that I will be back in the gym or in the garage doing upper body exercises - that sucker puts a strain on your left arm )

 

[BCRider]

Yep, I've got the big heavy Lyman Hawken style and it does make that left arm shake a little.... Just be sure to work both sides so you don't end up looking like Popeye on the left arm....

And let's see some pictures of you new smoke pole when you get a moment.

 

[Crawdad1]

I shot competition with one, I had an older version of yours made by 'Hatfield Rifle Works’ that had a premium Pedersoli straight barrel on her, like yours. I shot competition with her and put hundreds of rounds through her every month and she never missed a beat and held up well against the ‘custom” rifles that a lot of guys were shooting.

Good luck with yours!! You bought yourself a good quality rifle.

 

[Crawdad1]

I never won however. :banghead:

 

[4v50 Gary]

Crawdad1 - you're better than I. I bought a used Hatfield and when I went to shoot it, couldn't find my possibles bag.

 

[Crawdad1]

Gary, don't ya hate when that happens!!!

 

[tark]

BC rider, I have a Pedersoli Double rifle in 50 cal which I was having trouble with, which was the subject of a parallel thread. Thanks to you guys, it is running fine now. And you ought to try holding that 11 pound baby to your shoulder for any length of time.....

 

[Pancho]

Your bp savvy friend probably told you already but I'll repeat.
Don't even try using anything but black powder in a flinter. I tried using 4f bp in the pan and Pyrodex in the charge, it fired and it was reliable but it was sloooooooooooooow.
The "flinch factor" with a flinter is hard enough to overcome.
I tip my hat to the competitors at events like "Friendship" I'm still trying to make my way through it.