Pedersoli Kentucky pistol

[pohill]

I'm Patch & Ball Puzzled.
I have a Pedersoli Kentucky pistol in what I thought was .45 caliber (it's marked on the top but now I think it might read .44 caliber). I was using .440 patched roundballs in it but I'm wondering if they're too big. The .440 ball can be pushed in (without a patch) with thumb pressure. The muzzle measures out at .4375 according to my crude measurements which is also what a .440 ball measures out to be.
Would a .430 ball make more sense?

 

[BlackNet]

ball diam + patch thickness = bore diameter

 

[pohill]

I probably could have asked in a simpler way - does anyone know the caliber of Pedersoli Kentucky pistols? .44 or .45.?
I don't think my measurements are very accurate.

 

[Fingers McGee]

A .430 ball with .010 lubed patch would probably be your best bet.

 

[CAMPBELL49T]

Se if a 440 ball will roll down inside your barrel. If it does, try using a .005. If it is to loose work your way up with patches. I have two Pedersoli 45cal. In the book it says to use a 445 and .015 patch. But try to find a box of 445 balls.
I'm sure there is some out there, but not in this town. So I use 440s with a .020 patch. If is a Pedersoli and it is stamped 45 on barrel. That is what it is.

 

[poetgrey]

Ball & Patch

This noob wonders too...I've got a Traditions .50 cal I built from a kit. They say use .490 with a .015 patch and will break a wooden ramrod if one is not careful. Instead I use a .010 if store bought and an old cheap Tee shirt, pretested of course. I discovered a ball easily rammed (thin patch) doesn't print any tighter group than one crammed down with a thick one. If there is a difference, I can't tell or can't shoot or am getting old.

 

[pohill]

I thought it said .45 but now I'm sure it says .44 (the second 4 is almost wiped off).
I put an unpatched .440 in and had to push it all the way down (real pain to get it out with a ball puller).
The gun is accurate as heck with the .440 but I think the .430 and a .010 like F. McGee said will work better.
Thanks.

 

[poetgrey]

question

Is that barrel pinned to the stock? I tried to delete this message and could not. also I was wondering how to put larger photos in my posts and not the thumnails that show up after I reply/post.

 

[poetgrey]

question

Is that barrel pinned to the stock? I like your pistol Pohill

 

[arcticap]

Pohill,
If yours is a .44 then you must have an older Pedersoli Kentucky pistol.
There was a thread about a Harley Davidson 75th Anniversary Commemorative Kentucky pistol that was made by Pedersoli in 1982 and which was also a .44.
And I've seen other older Pedersoli Kentucky .44's for sale on Gunbroker.
Does yours have a date code indicating when it was made?

The Commemorative was discribed on the Harley Collectibles website and in the following THR thread:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=403419&highlight=harley

Item Number: 839 Price: $1,195.00
1983 Harley-Davidson did something very different when they had this Limited Edition Black Powder Replica Pistol made to commemorate the 75th year of the V-Twin engine. This antique REPLICA of a Kentucky Mountain pistol is a 44 cal. with a walnut stock that is hand checkered. The lockplate is engraved with the Anniversary logo and hand styled etching. It is in its original walnut case with all of its accessories.It is in excellent condition.email me for pictures

http://www.harley-collectibles.com/search.asp?search=839&search.x=49&search.y=9

 

[pohill]

Date code = XXV (1969). It's practically an original. I wonder if it was at Woodstock?
Thanks for the info, arcticap.


poetgrey, the barrel is screw-attached to the stock, just like my Hawkins rifle.
To post pics I use Photobucket. You have to create an account but it's free. Also try Tinypics.

 

[rusty from italy]

Actual load for my .45 kentucky is a .445 ball with .01 patch
The same couple i load in my Pedersoly Kentucky rifle.
But is possible load .451 ball with same patch, it's only more tight but not impossible to load.
ciao
Rusty

 

[thunder173]

I have a Pedersoli Kentucky style exas Commemorative that I acquired back in 86,....it's a .44 cal....

 

[lwknight]

This will be my first post on this forum. I'm active on others and just saw no need to post here up to now. I found this thread on a seach and thought I would not start a new one but revive this a bit.
I'm a long time reloader and first time interest in BP muzzle loaders.
I have a (marked on barrel ) "44 Cal" pistol just like in the first pic of the pederosi Kentucky.

I'm having the devil of a time finding out how much BP to use in it. I have real BP called "Elephant FFFG"
So far no lead balls but, can I use a cast bullet in it if its a short enough profile?
I do understand about the patches and such.
So far I have just shot blanks made with powder and wheat flour. It makes a real cool doudle booooMMWoom sound. Now I want to shoot it for real and info is scarce.

Any input would be appreciated.

 

[arcticap]

Pedersoli still makes a number of .44 caliber pistols some of which have either smooth bore or rifled barrels.
According to the Pedersoli manual, the loads listed for .44 rifled pistol barrels generally range between 18 - 30 grains of powder by volume. That's what is specifically listed for both the Mortimer and the LePage .44 target pistols along with a .435 ball and .010 patch.
Pedersoli recommends to load 5 more grains of powder for the flintlock versions of the same pistols.