Figuring out my smoothbore pistol

[The Goose]

I am relatively new to shooting muzzleloaders, compared to most folks here. And I am really new to shooting a flintlock pistol. I got this one from TOW, it is .60 smoothbore and is marked M.A. Taylor, Sheffield. It is my first ML pistol. Now that the weather is warmer I have been shooting more and I really enjoy this pistol. Initially I found that a .600 Lee ball was way too tight. I could not get even the thinnest patch to work. So I went to a .595 ball with a .015 patch and 50 grains of Goex 2F. It was extremely tight  to the point that after a few shots I could barely get the ball down the barrel. I tried a bare .595 ball, but if I lowered the barrel it would just roll out. I figured that was not a great idea. I tried a .010 patch and that seemed perfect, but for the heck of it I tried a .600 ball without any patch. It seated firmly and did not roll out, but it seemed a bit erratic in terms of accuracy. Today I hit the range and played around again. I think I am beginning to get close. At a friends advice I lowered the charge to 40 grains of Goex 3F under a .595 ball and a .010 patch. The group below is 10 shots at about 25 feet. All else aside I am just having a great time with this pistol. A lot of fun!

[wattlebuster]

Good looking gun and group. Have you tried any shot loads yet

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

I am happy for your acquisition, and the joy it has given you.  I'd like to suggest the following:

Try a .570" - .575" lead ball (meant for a .58 cal rifle!) and a good cotton patch minimum .018" thickness.  This will give you enough compression of the patch material to give a decently tight load, and enough cloth to carry lots of lubricant to give you no fouling issues at all, and respectable accuracy.

[old george]

That group, with that size ball would really give somebody a heartache

gro

[Daryl]

Like Taylor, I would favour a smaller ball and thick patch.  30gr. is probably a good load for plinking, but for bear or self defence I'd want a stiffer charge of powder- probably in the 50 to 60gr. range, just because.

[The Goose]

Thanks for the advice. I have some .58 balls. I will give it a try.

[Daryl]

Buck and ball is fun, too.  Silhouette target at 10 paces is a good range for that type of testing.