Le Page on it's Way!

Well it’s not in my grubby little paws yet but I won an auction on a Pedersoli Le Page, a pistol I have wanted for a longtime. I would have liked a small caliber one but I’ve ended up with the .44 model. The manual is suggesting a load of 18 grains of powder, a .435 ball and a 16/1000 patch. I’m not having a lot of luck finding that size ball. I’ve located .433 or .437’s but the .435 is eluding me so far. .015 patches seem to be the closest too.

Does anyone have one of these in .44 caliber and could tell me if one size ball is better than the other? I imagine I’ll end up with a box of both and just try both with different patching till I get the best shooting combination, but living in a BP black hole I have to order everything through the mail so if one has routinely proven to be the better I’d rather buy them and save some money on freight.

You have come with the joys of dealing with a firearm made to metric measurements. Pedersoli is calling for an 11 mm ball or about 0.43307". You should do just fine with a 0.433" diameter ball with 0.017" thick patching. I like the notion of a smaller ball with thicker patching. I just wish wish my shooting skill matched my shooting notions.

I think it is too soon to be considering casting a custom sized ball before you shoot the gun with a ball that is available. Soon you will be asking about a digital scale to weigh the balls. (Harbor Freight)

The DP LePage is considered a TOP target pistol of the muzzle loading variety.

I predict the OP will love it. I've one of DP's smoothbore Harper's Ferry horseman's pistols and it is a GEM.

I imagine the nipple threads will be metric as well. You bring up a point I never considered I have a Pedersoli Jaeger and I've never been overly pleased with it's accuracy. It delivers good hunting accuracy but I've always believed it had better potential. It was listed as a 54 caliber and I've fed it a normal (read American sized) 54 ball, I should look up the metric suggestion and see if that makes any difference.

Thanks for the tip on the scale. I've been using an arm balance scale and was considering a modern upgrade.

Hmmm. I use my balance beam scale to check the digital one. I only use the digital because of the tare function.

I wonder how many folks here have balance scales or even know how to operate one properly?

I have 2 from days gone by and have one electronic which is really nice, helps in weighing for multiple pistols.

Yes it does. And on the day after, those with 'lectric scales will wish they'd have been as forethoughtful as you.

40 Flint said:

Hmmm. I use my balance beam scale to check the digital one. I only use the digital because of the tare function.

Click to expand...

I use a known weight to check both scales. I have a balance scale for cartridge reloading. And a electronic scale because it's quicker than a balance scale.

Every part of this orginally French, now made in Italy, pistol will be metric. It's completely European.

tac

i shoot one of these. I use a Lee mould in .433 diameter with a linenpatch and 14grn of Swiss no2.
Very accurate.
Fred

Thanks all! I'm so excited about this one, I've wanted it for ages.

I’ve had the pistol for a little over a month and absolutely love it. I wish that I did not procrastinate so long about getting one. The only thing I do not like is the steel loading rod. I have turned a new wooden handle on my lathe and have a machine shop making me a rod in naval brass. Brass can have it’s issues with grit but I believe steel is always unforgiving to rifling.
The .433 ball has worked well for me; I’m still working on the powder load. I started with a 20 grain load and was getting nice tight groups so I dropped it three grains and the groups are just as tight, so I plan to drop another three and see what happens. I figure being a target pistol, as long as I’m grouping tightly the velocity is not a huge issue. I’d like the best group with the least amount of powder, but also to know how hot I can go and still have tight groups for days when the conditions make a quicker ball desirable.

hotoSmile:

While I could go to their website and see one. It just would not be the same! Target results too would be great!

Congrats on what sounds like a great purchase!!

The same but different!
I bought the Pedersoli Charles Moore target pistol.
It is stamped .45 cal, but actually shoots a .437 ball.
Unbelievable to say the least!
The adjustable trigger is infinite.
At fifty yards with a two hand hold on a solid rest, you can keep all shots within a 3" circle.
None of my other center fire hand guns can come even close.
I was shooting 25 grains of 3F, with a 1/8" olive oil & bee's wax felt wad over the powder, followed with a .018 linen patch with olive oil & bees wax rubbed in the patch and a .437 ball.
Other shooters were impressed to see the groups. :shocked2:
Asked if I can do this all the time?? I replied with a grin " sure, all the time" Yeah, right! :bull:
This Pedersoli pistol is the very best shooting hand gun I have ever had, even compared to modern handguns.
Also their "Carleton underhammer" is really good as well.
Good luck with yours.
Fred

I’m very pleased with this Pedersoli pistol I’d certainly be comfortable recommending this model to anyone who asked me. I’m sure the others are just as nice.
I just purchased an under hammer .32 cal small bore rifle, my first venture into that type of action and size bore, I’m excited to see how it performs. I’d consider a pistol in that style somewhere down the line.
I’ve been putting a measure of cornmeal over the powder and have been pleased with the consistency perhaps I’ll give the felt wads a try instead. I also started loading with a funnel with a drop tube and was surprised at the difference that made as well. I only hunt with rifles but if I was target shooting I’d have to consider using one with the rifles as well.

I second Smokey’s comments about the LePage pistols. I’ve both the flint and percussion versions and either one will provide a wonderful afternoon’s shooting at 25 yd targets. If only my part stood up to their accuracy! Enjoy!

Don't ever drop it or it will be toast but then so would a balance beam. I still use both but have been through two electronic scales that got dropped or bumped off the table.

I've always liked them too but they are out of my price range so went with two Yazel's in .36 cal with nine inch barrels, one flint the other percussion. They are marvelously accurate as well and at a price I could handle.
I'm sure it will be a keeper and good for you! :wink:

I’ve thought long and hard on the Charles Moore! Dixie Gun Works sells a blued and color cased version that looks gorgeous. I’ve even been tempted to get the flintlock version since I already have a super Pedersoli percussion pistol, which is also a smoothbore.

I got a ,33 Siber by HEGE, [I think it was made for them by Pedersoli.] It is beautifully accurate. I was delighted to beat 4 RCMP officers on the range recently, and may have made a couple of BP converts! I bought it from a gun-shop in the BC interior for about !/8th the list price.