Ultra-Hi .69 cal smoothbore pistol

[MachIVshooter]

Well, a friend of mine dug this critter up and asked me to clean it up and check it out so he could present it to his dad. I tore it down, cleaned all the rust (surface only) off of the parts, did some minor clearancing to get the action working smoothly and then reassembled it.

Now, I can't seem to find any information on these things, and I'm (He as well) wondering what sort of a load would be appropriate. If these things are known to be unsafe, of course, it'll become a wall hanger. But I can't see any reason it wouldn't shoot fine, just don't know where to start. I was thinking along the lines of 30-35 grains FFFg would prolly be more than safe. This thing is basicallly one big honkin piece of octagonal steel, the barrel wall being .2" thick on the flats.

Any help would be appreciated!

 

[arcticap]

Some guns that Ultra Hi imported were made in Japan by Miroku which is a reputable manufacturer.
It sounds like a Tower pistol.
Is it percussion or flint?
30 - 35 grains should be a safe and low volume loading which is probably less than 1/2 of the maximum load for a safe and well made .69 caliber pistol.

The amount of velocity may depend on how tight the patched round ball is in the bore. An over powder wad can be used to help create more pressure by acting as a gas check. Some folks use filler material like cream of wheat under the ball.
A small ball of newspaper can also be tamped down and compressed with the ramrod to make a homemade over powder wad.

A load can be worked up by increasing the powder in 5 -10 grain increments (by volume) to find the optimum power level to match the distance to the target, for comfortable shooting and performance.

Good luck and let us know how it shoots.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Thanks, arcticap. Yeah, it's a Japan made unit. Flintlock Ignition. Just the way the lockwork castings were kinda rough made me question the quality. I don't know if it was a kit gun or assembled unit, but if the latter, parts fitment left alot to be desired. It functions smoothly now, though.

 

[BHP FAN]

does it spark? I had to have a freind with a torch and some Kasenit compound harden the frizzen on mine.