Pedersoli Philadelphia Derringer - correct loads?

[Naphtali]

A few days ago when the weather was delightful I had intended to take my unfired Pedersoli Philadelphia Derringer (percussion) to the range for its first shots. I checked my downloaded Pedersoli SUGGESTED BLACK POWDER LOADS Acrobat file - nothing listed for this derringer or their screw barrel box lock Liège Derringer. I emailed Pedersoli for load data.

Pedersoli's load recommendation is: .451" round ball with .010" patch, 9 grs. of FFFFg

While my experience with Pedersoli's recommended loads for their Kodiak Safari is that loads are extremely modest, this derringer recommendation seems unusually modest.
***
Their Philadelphia Derringer is about one-half the weight of the common Jukar derringer, nearly identical in size to original Henry Deringer pistol used to murder Lincoln - but .45-caliber rather than .41-caliber. Quality of assembly and fit is excellent.

Those who have experience with this derringer, or comparably small Italian-made derringers, such as Palmetto of the turn of the millenium, please furnish safe, but less modest loading data.

I request data because I had intended loading with 15-20 grains Goex FFFg with .451-inch RB before it began snowing again. Now I'm unsure what to load.

[bigsmoke]

Over the years, it has been my observation that their load recommendations are terribly modest as well.

I would think it is their lawyers who are writing their data rather than their ballisticians.

So, I would think it is off to the range time.  Start with the 9 grains and shoot groups of three shots.  then increase it by a couple of grains and try it again.  Frankly, I would be going for manageable recoil rather than accuracy.

The .45 Colt cartridge was designed for minimal loads of 28 grains, so that is where I believe I would top off.  Sorry to say I do not have any real world experience with that pistol, but I am thinking that 15 grains would no doubt be a pretty nice load for the little firearm.

Looking forward to a range report on this little gem.

John

[T*O*F]

I used to have one and loaded it with 15 grains of 3f.  Aiming dead center at one of those 1/2 man sized pistol targets, it sprayed balls all over the place and many times missed the whole target.  This was at only 10 yards.  It's a belly gun.  I peddled it off knowing it would never be my carry gun for close up work.

[Daryl]

LOL - Dave -

My Deringer is .45 and I useabout 35gr. of 3F and a tightly patched round ball, of course.

At 10', the ball bounced off a 2x4 and hit me in the chest.

 According to the US Army of 1800, a dent 3/8" deep in pine could produce a lethal wound in a man. The dent in the pine was a good 3/8" deep, however this gun would not be my first choice as a 'carry gun' either.

[Old Ford2]

If all a .45 derringer will do is dent a piece of pine at ten yards.
I would carry two rocks.
Faster follow up shots, more energy, same accuracy.
The only real use for a derringer, is to neuter one's self.
(Edited to meet ALR rules)
Fred

[Ky-Flinter]

Gentlemen,

I have removed several off-topic replies from this thread.  This is the Black Powder Shooting forum and the original post asked for load data for a .45 caliber derringer.  Please confine your responses to loading and shooting info.  Thanks.

-Ron
ALR Moderator

[Naphtali]

Many thanks to all of you. The weather has turned delightful. Tomorrow will be interesting. I will be wearing a leather welding glove and shooting the first shots right-handed rather than leftie because you never can tell.

[J Henry]

  Don't feel I could get along with missing either hand!!!!!Would make loading a challenge at best, and what says all the barrel chunks go down range or off in a direction away from me..NO when in doubt DON'T.

[WadePatton]

Many thanks to all of you. The weather has turned delightful. Tomorrow will be interesting. I will be wearing a leather welding glove and shooting the first shots right-handed rather than leftie because you never can tell.

tie it down and remote trip it is an option too.