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Patch and ball combo for Pedersoli 45cal rifle

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Henry Miles

40 Cal
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I found a new unfired 45cal Frontier rifle made by D.Pedersoli and am trying to shoot some 0.433 dia Hornady balls with heavy pillow ticking. 60-70gr of 3F T7 seems to be about right. Pushing the ball down the barrel is not difficult and feels about right. I was wondering if 0.440 balls would be better and what patch I would need?
 
Usually a .45 uses a .440 ball, so you will probably find that it shoots quite well with your current patches, although it may load a little harder.
 
.433 is really small. Pedersoli recommends a .445 ball and .010 patch.

I usually use a .440 ball with a .015 patch, or pillow ticking- both of which load quite comfortably with the guns ramrod. I generally use pillow ticking because it works well in several rifles I own. Not sure about T7, but 3F black shoots that combo well from 55 grains to 85, with a real sweet spot in the 65 range. Hoppes #9 Plus, or more commonly 3-1 Ballistol as a lube.

Sometimes for fun/plinking etc I will use a .010 EMS brand precut patch with Ballistol. It opens groups up about 1" @ 50yds, but once started you can literally place your index finger over the end of the ramrod and seat it with one long push.
 
The .433 diameter ball is really made for the guns that are marked, 44 caliber.
Back in the late 1960's and thru the 1970's several Italian companies produced 44 caliber guns, both rifles and single shot pistols. By the end of the 1970's the Italians seemed to figure out that a 45 caliber would sell better, especially in America.
 
Thanks for the input! This may be an older rifle, I'm not really sure. The 0.433 ball with pillow ticking is tight in the bore and requires moderate force to push the ball after using a ball starter. A 0.440 ball would be difficult to push. I am getting excellent results with this ball/patch combo and 70gr of T7 so I'm going to keep working with this. I can hit the 8" gong @ 100yds and groups are nice and tight @ 40yds when I hold right. My eyes aren't what they once were...
 
Best to get bore measurement. Then you can narrow it down. Typically - .010 less than bore and as thick a lubed patch that will start without beating on it. A thick as possible patch will form to and grab the riflings well and with the charge load that it likes will produce best accuracy.
 
Bang makes an excellent point. I use a .440" ball and either a .019" cotton duck patch or a .024" canvas patch and can load both with the wood rod. I uses TOW mink oil, Hoppes #9 BP Lube and a couple of others.
 
Sometimes the first part of what should I use to load my rifle has to begin with the measurement of the bore. Here, in Henry's case he has a Pedersoli Frontier rifle. This is an advantage in that the Pedersoli is a factory made rifle and Pedersoli has a recommendation of a 0.440" ball and 0.015" thick patches. Patch lubricant can be a variety of mixes or store bought concoctions. 60 to 79 grains, black powder volume measure should be good for that rifle and caliber.

I am also hearing that Henry likes his load using a 0.433" ball and heavy pillow ticking. It is easy for him to load. Henry, have you tried using a 0.440" ball? How thick is the patch?

However, if the accuracy you are getting with your load combo is working, then I don't necessarily have a recommendation.
 
My pillow ticking is 0.019" thk. When used with a 0.433 ball, the total diameter of patch and ball is 0.471, which equals the 0.440 ball and 0.15 patch combo. I lube the patch lightly with Balistol and swab with a damp mildly soapy water patch between shots for clean bore conditions each shot. I like the results I am seeing, especially the consistency. I plan to hunt with this rifle this season and need 'first shot' conditions when I practice. I may even pick off a few bushy tails for some squirrel and rice table fare. Head shots of course!
 
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My pillow ticking is 0.019" thk. When used with a 0.433 ball, the total diameter of patch and ball is 0.471, which equals the 0.440 ball and 0.15 patch combo. I lube the patch lightly with Balistol and swab with a damp mildly soapy water patch between shots for clean bore conditions each shot

Great you are liking the results you are getting- but then I'm not sure why you asked about diameter in the first place then?

Are you mixing the Ballistol with water? Straight Ballistol is a lousy patch lube.
 
Great you are liking the results you are getting- but then I'm not sure why you asked about diameter in the first place then?

Are you mixing the Ballistol with water? Straight Ballistol is a lousy patch lube.

I shot it for the first times Friday, not sure what would work best. I'm new to 45cal MLing. Saturday morning shoot proved the combo was working well, after going up to 70gr of T7. What ratio of water and Balistol should I be using?
 
What ratio of water and Balistol should I be using?

Anywhere between 3 parts water to 10 parts water to 1 part Ballistol. I like 3-1 but I like to use it to clean up as well. If you were using straight Ballistol on your patches you will find once it is mixed with water it will load easier. I don't know enough about T7, but with real Black Powder and Ballistol/water mix on your patches you should not have to wipe between shots at all.

Frontier's a good rifle.
 
While I am a user of real black powder, since I mostly shoot flintlocks, T7 substitute black powder will leave markedly less particulate fouling in the barrel compared to real black powder. Therefore, using a ball with a slightly dampened patch may not require wiping between shots. The dampened patch holding the ball will wipe away most of the fouling left from T7 so that wiping after every shot is not required. In your case, you want to fire a round and establish accuracy from a clean bore to better prepare for that first shot on game. Your method to clean is understandable. Be aware that even with the minimal fouling from T7, you can push fouling into the flash channel, so fire a cap to blow that fouling out and dry up the flash channel when you wipe the bore.
 
With respect to patch lubricants, I would recommend a solution of one part Ballistol to 7 parts of water. In freezing temperatures, it would be 1 part of Ballistol, 6 parts of water and 1 part of 91% rubbing alcohol to minimize freezing.
 

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