What load for a 62 caliber smooth bore pistol?

[Rolf]

What powder charge would you recommend for a smooth bore caliber 62 flintlock pistol?

Best regards
Rolf

[B.Habermehl]

Since I don't have one take this info with a grain of salt. Due to the large bore I'd suggest 35gr ffg for starters, with 50gr or so being max. I am sure it will take some expirementation to find the best combo.  BJH

[Dphariss]

I would not load it under 35 gr  and would likely use FFF.
Load it too light and balls can fail to penetrate wood targets and can rebound and STRIKE THE SHOOTER.
I can tell you that a 58 caliber ball rebounding from a block of pine WILL hurt when it strikes you shin bone. I think I was using 15 or 20 gr in a perc overcoat pistol.
I loaded it heavier for the next shot.

Dan

[bigbat]

"bouncing balls" can hurt you.  I had one bounce off a pine beam come back past me, bouce off the paneling in my arctic entry and take me in the back.  It smarted and left a black and blue spot.

A school kid dropped a 36 ball in a rifle I was showing, the spru got it stuck. When I got home I pulled the nipple, trickled a  few grains in the drum, seated the bare ball and shot it into a pine beam 15 feet away. Two bounces and a thud to my back.  Even a red neck wouldnt have thought of that stunt.

[Dan'l 1946]

  I used 40 grains of FFFg in my 20 bore pistol and had good results. Once you have been tagged by a bouncing 300+ grain ball, you will never forget it!

[Habu]

Depending on barrel length, I'd probably start with 45-50 grains of FFFg, and go up from there.  I've never had a smooth pistol that did well with light loads. 

[Dan'l 1946]

 I should have mentioned that my pistol had a 12 inch barrel.
                                                                 Dan

[FlyingZebra]

I use 70gr Goex FFg, tightly patched .600 ball in a .62 capplock pistol.
Consistent and accurate.