Powder type, charge and ball for 1805 Harpers Ferry

[Snowdog]

I'm nearly certainly my wife has purchase a Pedersoli 1805 .58 caliber Harpers Ferry for me (for Christmas).

I'm planning to purchase some FFG Goex black powder for my Zoli Zouave that I purchased last week. Can I use this same stuff for the Harpers Ferry if I do indeed receive one? How about for priming the pan?

Also, I plan to use the .570 round ball I purchased for the Zouave for the Harpers Ferry, but could I also use the 515gr Minie Ball I have for it as well?

This will (might) be my first flintlock, so this is all foreign territory to me. I've Googled this, but it seems not too many have posted info about this pistol when it comes to how it's fed.

Thanks in advance!

 

[[email protected]]

Yes, Load it the same as the Zouave except the powder charge. About 30-
40 grs. should do it. You can prime the pan with FFF and it will work OK.

 

[4v50 Gary]

You can certainly shoot a minie through it, but minies are expensive and round ball, by comparison, are cheaper. You won't get any accuracy advantage by using the minie in a smoothbore pistol.

 

[Snowdog]

Thanks for the information, guys.

I've read that unlike the original .54 caliber Harpers Ferry pistol, the 10" barrel of the Pedersoli reproduction is indeed rifled.
However, even if it is, I'm not certain if the recommended powder charge would be hot enough to reliably expand the skirt to the rifling anyway.

While I assemble this pistol, I'll be sure to take some pictures for a follow-up post on the assembly and range test. Man, will I ever be bummed if I end up getting some socks and a shirt instead this Christmas. Oh well, there's a reason for the season and it's not about receiving gifts....