1773 pistol

[Columbus]

Was curious as to what an original load for this pistol would be. I've only shot it with a single ball load and up to 50 gr of FF. Of all the black powder guns I've owned it's probably the most fun to shoot and always generates questions at the range. It's a handful for sure as the comparison to my 1st model Dragoon shows.

 

[Zonie]

You didn't give the caliber of your gun in your post and without knowing it, it is difficult to suggest a good load for it.

I can say that the Dixie Gun Works catalog gives some original loads for a couple of pistols somewhat similar to yours.

.67 Tower Flint Pistol = .650 ball/35 grains FFFg powder

.58 US Springfield Pistols Model 1855 = .570-.575 ball/40 grains FFg powder

That's about the best I can do except to say I would use about 1/2 of the bore size as a rough guide. For instance, a 50 caliber would use about 25 grains of powder. A 69 caliber would use about 35 grains of powder. The ball size would be slightly smaller than the bore and cotton cloth patches under/around the ball would be used to bring it up to a snug fit in the bore.

 

[PluggedNickel]

Nice gun 1773 Charleville Pistol! I like your Dragoon as well!

 

[Columbus]

You didn't give the caliber of your gun in your post and without knowing it, it is difficult to suggest a good load for it.

I can say that the Dixie Gun Works catalog gives some original loads for a couple of pistols somewhat similar to yours.

.67 Tower Flint Pistol = .650 ball/35 grains FFFg powder

.58 US Springfield Pistols Model 1855 = .570-.575 ball/40 grains FFg powder

That's about the best I can do except to say I would use about 1/2 of the bore size as a rough guide. For instance, a 50 caliber would use about 25 grains of powder. A 69 caliber would use about 35 grains of powder. The ball size would be slightly smaller than the bore and cotton cloth patches under/around the ball would be used to bring it up to a snug fit in the bore.

The bore measures .709" and the bbl is 8.5" from breech face to muzzle. I was using a .678 rb and 40gr of FFg. Surprised to see DGW recommend FFFg in a .67 bore.