Pedersoli Questions

First some background. I first shot a BP gun in the early 70s. It was an antigue shotgun. We cut open modern shells for the shot and used toilet paper for wadding.

In the late 70s I got a TC. Through the 80s I shot various makes and calibers then slowly dropped out. Wanting a different challenge in 2000 or so I picked up a Crockett and started squirrel hunting again. Hurricane Katrina took most things in 05 and I didn't have the heart to restore so I gave away everything that didn't have some significant sentimental value.

I'm thinking it may be time for another squirrel gun. There is a Pedersoli on GunBroker that appeals to me. It is .32 cal full stock with no patchbox. Except for the brass furniture it is rather plain like a Southern rifle which is a style I like. I know nothing about the quality of this maker. Are these rifle generally accurate with the correct load and components? Are there issues I should consider? What is the general consensus regarding this maker and this model rifle?

Pedersoli guns, IMHO, are the best made commercial production guns now available. To get better quality, you would have to go to a custom made gun.
There are very few traditional style gun makers out there today. The demand is not high for traditional styled guns.

I have a pedersoli deluxe cub rifle in .32 , and I find it to be a high quality and accurate rifle. My .32 load is 20 grains of FFFg with a .310 ball and a .015 pillow tick patch, sparked off with a cci cap. With this the shots off a bench are often touching at 25 yards..............watch yer top knot..............

The only negative regarding Pedersoli ML rifles in my opinion, is that the rifling is quite shallow. It is very easy to have patch lube that is too slippery, won't grip the rifling resulting in very poor accuracy. I have yet to switch my Pedersoli over to "Dutch's system". I suspect once that is done my Ped will shoot well. Your mileage will likely vary.

Thanks for the responses. I have a few days until the auction ends to make up my mind.

I have the Pedersoli frontier in .36 flint, same basic rifle as the rifle on GB, mine is deadly accurate on squirrels, it is a little muzzle heavy and the .32 may be a tad heavier, my be an issue if you shoot a lot off hand but it's not too bad, overall it's a really nice rifle.

Thanks. First hand info like this is invaluble.

I have a number of Pedersoli’s in both flint and percussion. As already mentioned, it’s definitely the best production gun that can be bought on the market today and just under custom built in quality. I would go as far to say that they’re equal to if not better than some custom builds! Of course that depends on who the builder is?

As far as groove depths, I will partially disagree with the to shallow statement. Depends on the model. A prime example would be, I have a Pedersoli Rocky Mountain Hawken with a 34” barrel, 1:65 twist, and groove depth of ( .011 ) That rifle is a tack driver!!

In closing, for the most part, Pedersoli can’t be beat for a production gun. They’re a little pricey but you get what you pay for. That statement is definitely true when it comes to Pedersoli.

Respectfully, Cowboy

RD,
Too slippery a patchlube has ittle to do with grabing the rifling, It has to do with the patched ball zipping out of the barrel as soon as the powder begins to burn..
Gives you the same effect a too weak a powder charge.
Gripping rifling hasmore to do with the tightness of the fit caused by having the proper thickness of patching.

In my opinion
In all my years , about 45, I ave never heard any criticism of Pedersoli riles, or Lyman, or even T/C\s that was easily explained as "Pilot error" blaming his oversight on the rifle.

There used to be a lot of abuse about CVA's but seems to have died downer out
When coaching at the range I was faced with some really beat up rifles but did well with the them. I had come to the conclusion that ANY rifle with a straight unbulged barrel could accurate.

I'm sure there must be exception but I have never come across. Some can be puzzles but artful thought can usually solve

The only exception, I thought, was my cheap flintlock that I couldn't dolve but which a reverend in Florida spotted the wee fleck of steel impeding the muzzle and solved it right away.

They are all fun. The bigger the obstination a rifle gives you, the greater the joy of solving it.

Dutch Schoultz

I have owned a number of Pedersoli's...still have three. They are all tack drivers. They vary in cosmetics based on price, but they all do the job and do it well. I would agree that they are a top production traditional muzzleloader maker.

RD Strain,
I answered this at some length yesterday or earlier but the post never showed up as posted. Another sign of old age, I guess.

In 45 or so years of being involved in ML and BP I have never come across anything negative about Pedersoli, Lyman Great plains , Thompson/Center that wasn't attributal to "Pilot Error.. There used to be some complaints about CVA rifles but that seems to have died down or stopped.

Sliperiness has little to do with the patched ball engaginging the rifling. It has to do with the patched ball starting out of the barrel as soon as the powder begins to burn. This gives you the same effect as too weak a powder charge, To thin a patch which allows some of the oomph to bypass the patched ball.
Grasping or engaging the rifling is perfected by having the correct thickness of the patch material when compressed between ball and barrel wall.

I have sen amazing accuracy from rifle barrel with extremely shallow rifling with proper patch thickness and I have seen some wretched inaccuracy from beautifully rifled barrels with inawqate thickness of patching.


I have heard numerous riflemen say, "IIt loads easy, I don't now why I can't get any kinde of groups>"
The answer to their problem is in that statement.

Nag Nag

Dutch Schoultz

Like I said, your mileage will likely vary.

I've got a Pedersoli .32. It's quite accurate and IMO a good-looking rifle. It's a Southern style rifle. I replaced the furniture on mine with iron "poor boy" from DGW after the brass trigger-guard broke. My only complaint with the brass; I can't remember now what was odd about it; I think it was in the front of the attachment. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them.

I wanted to update any who were interested in my quest for a new squirrel rifle. The Used Pedersoli on GB would be about $650 shipped. It does have a few extras like a leather gun sleeve, balls and bag, measure and flask to ease the price a bit. A new one will run $750-$800 plus shipping etc.

That price puts me within striking range of a TVM Tenessee or Southern rifle. Natchez is just a few hours from here and my wife and I have spent a few weekends there. We like to play tourist to what the home state has to offer a couple of times a year. I just never thought about stopping in at the TVM shop.

She is amicable to doing that so we are planning a spring trip, maybe around the middle of March or first of April. My soccer coaching responsibilities should be over by then, my girls don't have a chance at making district or regionals. I will let you know what I decide then.

Thanks again for the advice!

Check cherry's fine guns, they've had a few sales on pedersoli lately