Kentucky pistol range report

[deermanok]

Had the Kentucky pistol out this morning for my first 3 shots. 45 cal. Patched round ball over 25 grains of Swiss 3f.
Range 20 yards, shooting off the sticks.
Made short work of this pesky watermelon.

 

[michiganmuzzy]

Nice! PRB made quite a mess of that. Nothing better than a watermelon infestation.

 

[deermanok]

Nice! PRB made quite a mess of that. Nothing better than a watermelon infestation.

I think I have at least 2 more in the garden, if my wife doesn't mind.

 

[deermanok]

Not sure how stout of a load to put in this pistol. 25 grains seemed a bit mild. Accurate though. Anybody else shooting a 45 cal. ?

 

[Matthew323]

What is the barrel length?

 

[deermanok]

What is the barrel length?

Not sure, haven't measured it but 9 or 10 inches.

 

[Matthew323]

If it is 9"-10" of actual bore length, then you should be able to use a 50-60 grain charge for hunting with a tightly patched ball. What is the depth of the rifling? If Dixie Gun Works sells your pistol, then they will list the bore, and groove diameters for the barrel. Subtract bore from groove and divide by 2 to get rifling depth.

If the rifling is deep enough, you should be able to find a patch/lube/ball diameter that will seal the grooves completely, to allow for hunting weight power charges.

Get close enough, and it will kill a deer, just like a rifle.

 

[deermanok]

If it is 9"-10" of actual bore length, then you should be able to use a 50-60 grain charge for hunting with a tightly patched ball. What is the depth of the rifling? If Dixie Gun Works sells your pistol, then they will list the bore, and groove diameters for the barrel. Subtract bore from groove and divide by 2 to get rifling depth.

If the rifling is deep enough, you should be able to find a patch/lube/ball diameter that will seal the grooves completely, to allow for hunting weight power charges.

Get close enough, and it will kill a deer, just like a rifle.

Thanks for the info, I will check into it more.
My buddy has the same gun but a flintlock. He said he uses 40 grains of powder. He killed at least 2 deer in Vermont with his.

 

[Matthew323]

Thanks for the info, I will check into it more.
My buddy has the same gun but a flintlock. He said he uses 40 grains of powder. He killed at least 2 deer in Vermont with his.

Just increase the powder charge until unburnt grains are ejected from the muzzle, then back off 5 grains, or so. That will be your maximum charge, but best accuracy will probably come from an even smaller charge.

 

[NIGHTWOLF1974]

Thanks for the info, I will check into it more.
My buddy has the same gun but a flintlock. He said he uses 40 grains of powder. He killed at least 2 deer in Vermont with his.

Is his an older gun like yours? I'd do MORE research before putting 40 grns. in it.

 

[deermanok]

Is his an older gun like yours? I'd do MORE research before putting 40 grns. in it.

My buddy's gun is old like mine.
I might push my charge up to 30 grains, 35 max, I think.

 

[NIGHTWOLF1974]

My buddy's gun is old like mine.
I might push my charge up to 30 grains, 35 max, I think.

That's a good idea!

 

[MrTom]

I shot 40 grains of 2f with a .45 rb with no problems when I still had mine. I shot a .45 maxi out of it at 40 grains. Little bit of a buck to it but it handled it just fine.

 

[deermanok]

Not sure if I'll hunt with it yet. It's a nice handling piece. A lot lighter than the CVA Optima pistol, that's for sure.