Pedersoli Ky rifle range report

I'm sorry about no pictures. No magic phone or camera easy to take pictures.

Took the new 45 cal rifle out Sunday morning and shot it at 25 yards. The first two were almost in the same hole. The third was about a half inch to the right, where I had pulled it. All three about four inches low and an inch and a half left of center. I ended up with the sight picture of having the rear sight notch right at the base of the front sight and centered to hit the target at the point of aim. Top of the front sight. I shot two more shots at 103 yards at a metal plate and hit the plate on the left side about the middle. A little sight adjustment is in order but the rifle shoots well.

No problems with misfires. I spit patched in between every shot. 56 grns of GOEX triple X behind a lightly lubed patch and round ball using TOTW mink oil as the lube. Luckily I don't seem to have to change anything or look for a different combo of materials. This is going to be a really fun gun to shoot. All the other BP guns are a lot shorter so it took a little getting used to having to stand really tall all the time to load it. Now all I have to do is get it zero'd for windage. I can live with holding the front sight up.

After 100 or so shots and having found your best load you can file (slowly and testing all the while) the front site and get it dialed in to Exact POA/POI, FUN :thumbsup:

Pretty good first report. Though must admit I'm not a fan of the no pictures deal... :td: :haha:

Gotta find someone to snap a pic for you or something!

hotoSmile:

Why not just adjust the sights to a good zero?

I will probably take a file to the front sight next time out with the rifle. I've done it before but I've never liked filing a sight. Sometimes it's the only answer though.

I would shoot hundred or so rounds through it before I filed AFTER the best load developed. But that's just me :idunno:

I agree.

A lot of people have the idea that they must get the gun shooting to the point of aim before they work up the best, most accurate loads for their guns.

Of course, it isn't necessary for the group to be hitting the point of aim if one is developing their best powder/patch/ball load combination.

So, it's hitting 4 inches low and 2 inches to the right? So what?

If the group size is 3 inches at 25 yards, it's time to find out what is needed to get the group size down to a 1 inch group or smaller.

Once that is done, then is the time to start adjusting the sights.

this is great advice!!

Nothing to fear about filing a sight.
Most were made to be filed down for adjustment.
If you mess it up, buy another one. They always make extras.
And the're cheap.

you may want to look into Dutch Schoultz' method.

Here's a link:
http://blackpowderrifleaccuracy.com/

If yer hitting the plate with a .45 using PRB at 103 yards ,I’d leave well enough alone for now until you get more balls down range! I wouldn’t screw around with yer sight’s at this point!

Respectfully, Cowboy

Mushka,
I agree with most of the comments.
It's too soon to make permanent adjustments to the sights..
Shoot for group. When you fiddling about with your load tightens the group to something consistentlyntight,THEN you might want to move the group to the enter of the target by sight adjustment.
If this was your first day with that rifle at the range I would be mot pleased.

Dutch Schoultz

I picked up an old CVA .45 caliber Kentucky rifle last week and the POI did not coincide with POA. One thing I noticed was that the group hit about 3" to the right of POA at 50 meters when shooting off the bench. When shooting offhand the windage was right on the money.

I agree with those who suggest developing a load that will shoot good groups before breaking out the file. My eyesight is not as good as it was 50 years ago, so I opened up the V notch on the rear sight to allow more daylight on either side of the front sight. Don't be afraid to work the sights down with a file once you have found your most accurate load.

The formula for determining how much to file off the top of the front sight to raise the POI is (Error in Inches x Sight Radius in Inches)/Distance to Target in Inches = Sight Correction. My CVA was hitting 4-3/4" low at 50 meters. (4.75" x 24.75")/1968.48" = 0.0597" Correction. I wound up filing 0.061" off the top of the front sight to center the group at 50 meters when shooting offhand. :2

These black powder rifles are addictive. I am already looking to add a 3rd one to my collection.

I believe the front sights are sent tall so they can be filed down. I have a Pedersoli Dixie Pennsylvania rifle I picked up cheap used. But the gun is clean and the bore is in excellent shape. But I have never shot it. It has been fired though and I expect I will have to adjust the sights on it. The front sight has not been filed but I expect it will need to filed some.

My gun has a 42" barrel. I didn't know that when I bought it off GB. It looked like the 36" barreled version. Its longer than I like. I have gave a lot of thought to shortning the barrel to around 30" or so. Or just sell it. But mine is also in .45 caliber and thats my favorite. So I may keep it. I won't do anything until I shoot it first.

Many years ago I was at the range and a couple of guys were shooting a new BP rifle at 100 yards. They were grouping low. One fellow told the other he just needed to keep adding powder until he was in the bullseye. I started to tell him that the front sight is sent tall so it can be filed but I didn't want to butt in to their conversation.

Very nice! Pedersoli guns are solid.

Thanks smokey. I won this gun on GB for $350.00. I was the only bidder. Dixie sells this gun for $1050.00. So I feel I got a pretty good deal. I just wish it wasn't so dadgum long. :idunno:

burlesontom said:

Thanks smokey. I won this gun on GB for $350.00. I was the only bidder. Dixie sells this gun for $1050.00. So I feel I got a pretty good deal. I just wish it wasn't so dadgum long. :idunno:

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If you want to get rid of that dadgum infernal extra long nuisance, I'll give ya what you paid and pay the freight.....

Thanks griz thats a generous offer. I was thinking more about reselling it on GB for a bit more though. I should be able to get $500 or so. I think.

Then I could put a little extra with it and buy the gun of my dreams. A Pedersoli Scout or if I want a patch box a Dixie Cub. Either one in .45 caliber and percussion and 28" barrel.

Or I can cut off the one I have and make my own version. I'm still thinking. :hmm: