Chambers 54 Cal. Flintlock Pistol-Range Report

[Fauquier]

A few months ago,when I finished building the pistol,I asked Forum members for advice on loads. Several members replied with helpful advice.
I can now report results. The "best" load seems to be 30gr. of Goex 3F,a.010 patch, and a .530  ball. I prime with 3F also, ignition is instantaneous ! What a lock. Groups run 1-2" at 25 yards over a rest.
Following members advice, I gently seat the patched ball on the charge,avoiding compression, then poke a hole completely through the powder charge using a straight vent pick slightly smaller that the touch hole.Prime is kept well below the touch hole. You would think that it was a cartridge fired gun !

Not bad for 73 year old eyes , a young sprout would get 1" groups easily.

This pistol as an absolute pleasure to shoot.

[Old Ford2]

Hello Fauquier,
Your problem is that the barrel is not long enough. The closer to target the muzzle is, the better the group!
Any pictures on this fine pistol?
The older we get, the more advantage, we have to take. And that's the truth!
Nice to hear the information on fast ignition.
All the best!
Fred

[LH]

Its fun when something works aint it?   Have you tried any 4f or nullB for priming?   I can tell a difference between 3f and 4f in my flintlocks. 

[billd]

I have the same gun.. I was shooting 45 grs. 3F, .018 pillow ticking with bear oil, and a .530 ball.  Off of a sandbag I was cutting clover leaf groups at 30 yards. 50 grs. gave the same results.  Recoil was "noticable".

I used it for deer hunting this year but didn't get a chance to shoot one.

Bill

[Fauquier]

Thanks for your several responses . I tried 25-45 gr. of 3F in 5 grain increments. Since I am only poking holes in paper, I settled on the most accurate/pleasant load:30 grains.Have not tried any prime other than 3F, its so fast that I probably wont complicate things with a different priming powder. A .010 patch is very tight in my bore, hopefully I can go to .015 ,or thicker, as the bore breaks in.Some old Lehigh Valley lube used as patch lube.  ] will try to post a photo of the pistol- if I fail to do so,I can be reached at hillendalefarm@earthlink.net if someone can post it for me. Regards.

[billd]

.018 patch was hard to start in my gun but was smooth to seat.  Did you measure the balls. just because the mold says .530 doesn't mean it is.  How about the hardness of the lead? 

Bill

[Fauquier]

The balls are Hornady swaged balls - I will measure to verify diameter . A couple of times I grabbed two .010 patches at once and there was no way that they were going down. Will give .015  a try next time for starters. Thanks, John

[4ster]

I built one in .50 cal.  I really need to sit down at a bench and see what it will really do.  I get the impression that ANY deviation from the center bull is a problem with me, not the gun.  I seem to get about 50% in the bulls eye and the rest within 6" at 25 yards.

I'm using .18 patch and .490 ball over 30gr of 3f powder.  Same powder for prime.  I've never bothered to pick the vent, it seems pretty instantaneous already. I did build it with a Chambers touch hole liner.

I took it to the local public range yesterday, it always draws an interested crowd.  I like the long barrel since it gets me closer to the target than everyone else!