What Load to start?

[PIKELAKE]

I have just built my first pistol and don't have a clue as to how much powder to start with. The barrel is 10 inches long, 50 cal and smooth. Rifles I know, pistols not so much. Thanks for any help.   JZ

[Daryl]

25 to 30 grains 3F will work just fine in a .50 cal. smoothbore pistol.

[MuskratMike]

What Daryl says is spot on. My .54 likes 40 grains of Goex 3f. If you get to 30 you might try 35 or 40 grains but try different lubes and patch thickness before moving up in powder charges. Good luck and have fun, oh and build a loading stand makes pistols much more fun and easy to load.

[PIKELAKE]

Thanks fellas. If I shoot it more than once, I may make that stand. Thanks again and 25 grains is a start.  JZ

[Daryl]

It's a good place to start and also the finishing place for Taylor's .60 calibre pistol(rifled).
In that gun & with that load, the .595" round ball is trudging along at 630fps of so, but is VERY accurate.