Load for a Kentucky Pistol

[iloco]

I have a 50 Caliber Kentucky Flintlock style pistol.  I bought it off another site.  The builder said he had shot the pistol.   
 I didn't ask him how much powder he used in the pistol.  It has a 5 1/2 inch barrel.
What would be a good starting load for a pistol of this type. 
 This pistol does not have a rear sight.  I am thinking about having one added.  I do see a lot of pistols that do not have a rear sight.  Guess they were made for close shooting.

[bob in the woods]

Would that have been known as a " pocket pistol " back in the day ?
Most of the pieces I've seen had barrels in the 10 inch range.  I have shot a .50 cal flintlock pistol with a 9 inch barrel, with 40 gr FFFg and it was OK.   Not sure about 5 1/2 in

[SCLoyalist]

I'd start with a load around 25 gr 3F, a patched roundball,  and work up towards 40 to 45 gr.    Where in that range you settle would depend on accuracy vs. energy obtained or needed for whatever you're shooting at.   I'd expect you to get about the same results as the .50 lyman plains pistol, and for it (if memory serves) 40 gr of 3F was good for around 800 fps muzzle velocity.

[hanshi]

The .50 I shoot has a 9" barrel.  30 grains of 3F shoots very well with prb.  I've shot 50 grains a fair amount, and other than heavy recoil the load's a winner.

[iloco]

Thanks everyone for the help.  I need to get some 3f as I dont have any.

 What would happen if I were to use 2f. 

This is my first black powder pistol.

[Dphariss]

FF will produce some velocity loss, for a given charge weight, but other than that it should work fine.
I used 45 of FFF in my 6" 50 cal but it was for using not paper punching.

Dan

[Ezra]

I'd start with a load around 25 gr 3F, a patched roundball,  and work up towards 40 to 45 gr.    Where in that range you settle would depend on accuracy vs. energy obtained or needed for whatever you're shooting at.   I'd expect you to get about the same results as the .50 lyman plains pistol, and for it (if memory serves) 40 gr of 3F was good for around 800 fps muzzle velocity.

That sounds about right.

Ez