New Kentucky 54 Cal Pistol

[BigAl52]

Just picked this up off another site. Brand new and never been shot. Got it for 300 shipped which is about 150.00 off new price. Cant wait to shoot this one. Even got RR and badger to come and take a pic with it.

IMG_1215.JPG (218.6 KiB) Viewed 5646 times

[JEBar]

sleek looking cap & ball ... looking forward to your coming reports

[North Country Gal]

That is one sharp looking BP pistol. With you and PT and others posting about these BP pistols, you're going to get me hooked, too.

[PT7]

Way to go, Al...very nice pistol purchase.

It's hard to leave mine at home even as much as I like shooting my .45LC revolver. There is that extra something about the pace of shooting a single shot muzzleloader, the slow (and enjoyable) concentration needed to load consistently and correctly, and the waft of that black smoke circling around. Plus those RBs sure get hurled downrange and leave those large holes, or loudly clang that steel!

I'm looking forward (weather agreeing) to your range report on how you and the Kentucky .54 get along!

PT7

[RanchRoper]

That is very cool. Maybe one day I will try that.

[Mistered]

Who is the manufacturer of your pistol?

[BigAl52]

Pedersoli Ed

[RanchRoper]

I have a Pedersoli catalog picked up at a gun show last summer....wow is all I can day. Sure builds nice stuff.

[BigAl52]

I have a Pedersoli catalog picked up at a gun show last summer....wow is all I can day. Sure builds nice stuff.

Yes they do. I have one of there Kentucky rifles in a flintlock. Had the lock tuned by Jack Brooks in Denver. Hes also done other work for me on a Lyman great Plains Rifle that I had an upgraded lock put into. Its also a flintlock 54 caliber. Flintlocks are fun but there is a learning curve to shooting them well.

[BigAl52]

Havent shot it yet PJM but next time I get the chance to make some smoke it will go with me. Weather here right now is to cold and Im not as tough as that cowboy from Alberta is.

[Vaquero]

Hey Al what grain ball and powder?
I have a 54 cal Renegade, never shot a 54 Pistola.

RP

[BigAl52]

I use a .530 Hornady ball Randy. I think there around 230 gr. Powder I will use 3f Swiss probably about 30 gr of it. Need to play with the powder charge.

[PT7]

I use a .530 Hornady ball ... around 230 gr.

Found a shortcut formula for calculating the weight of a RB at http://home.insightbb.com/~bspen/math.html, "The Mathematical Shooter" article:

Weight = 1502.6 x (Diameter x Diameter x Diameter)

As an example, here is the calc of Al's .530 RB.
W = 1502.6 × (0.530 x 0.530 x 0.530) = 223.7025802gr

I use .490 RB for my Trapper:
W = 1502.6 × (0.490 x 0.490 x 0.490) = 176.7793874gr

Lots of math info available in the article for shooters; numbers definitely are basic to the sport.
PT7

[BigAl52]

Thats way to much math for me PT around 230 sounds close enough.

[PT7]

Agreed, Al....way too much! Yet was cool to find a shortcut. Your "around 230 sounds close enough" is what I've read in individual articles, and what more is needed? Your Kentucky shoots a .530 which won't change. RB math is done.

Safe and happy shooting with that newbie.
PT7

[JEBar]

I use a .530 Hornady ball Randy. I think there around 230 gr. Powder I will use 3f Swiss probably about 30 gr of it. Need to play with the powder charge.

AL .... in our 50 cal TC Hawkin I used standard round balls pushed by FFF Blackpowder .... its been so many years since I fired it that I have no clue as to the powder charge used .... is there a source for such info ..

[BigAl52]

Jim
Theres no real chart for that, that I am aware of. TC did have some recommendation starting loads in the owners manuals. I typically start with a 2f charge of Swiss at 60 grains and they play with it from there to check accuracy. If I were to use 3f in a 50 which alot of people do I would back off of that by 10 grains and make my starting load 50 grains. Some shoot less some shoot more than that depending on distance and accuracy. I havent used alot of 3f in my rifles although alot of people do that to save buying 2 different powders. Swiss is also hotter and cleaner than the Goex powder.

[JEBar]

info appreciated .... I seem to remember an old standard that said up to twice the caliber .... for 50 caliber, 90 to 100 grains .... but don't have a clue if that is a solid recommendation or not .... all I've ever used is FFF black powder .... no experience whatsoever with FF or Pyrodex .... prior to reading your post I'd never heard of Swiss powder, I have no clue what it is

[BigAl52]

Swiss is just another brand of black. I have heard its better because of the wood they use to make it and its been very consistent over the years. Most people that have been around blackpowder for a longtime will tell you its the best and the most expensive. Goex now has one that supposed to be close called olde eynsford. Ive never used it and have always tuck with Swiss because of my past experience.

[JEBar]

info appreciated .... I have no clue what brand we used .... don't even know if the brand still exist .... do have a can or two back home, will have to look when we get back there