Would you compare the breech of the pistol to the breech of the rifle, and tell me if it looks like it is the same breech and barrel...except for the pistol barrel being shorter of course. ??
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Thanks In Advance.
Rat
While this isn't the .50 cal; I can tell you that the .54 cal GPR Rifle, AND the GP Pistol appear (at least externally) to be identical at the breech. I can't verify if they are the same internally--the breech plug may be longer or shorter by a fraction in one. I don't have an x-ray machine to tell.
IF you want me to, I will try to take some measurements using dowels and ramrods to see if I can get a rough comparison of internal length.
I really don't think there is going to be a difference though... AND I really doubt if the .50cal barrels are going to be different from each other either.
I hope that my info. was helpful in your situation.
Something else that might be useful. I remember a Guns Digest article by K. Ramage(sp?) that told of his using a .54 cal Great Plains pistol at a shooting match (and from what I can recall), he had it loaded up with 70gr charges (with round ball) to regulate P.O.I. vs. P.O.A. rather than file the sights.
That's a pretty stout load in a handgun to be sure. I really think that much more than that and the powder would be wasted by burning it outside the barrel.
Again, I'm not recommending a load or charge weight as all these guns are "different critters" and may not handle the same loads. Just do some thorough testing with safety first, and then decide if it will handle what you want. If there's the least doubt, then switch to a different (bigger!) gun.
FYI, I believe Blue Grouse will custom build an 8 bore underhammer pistol if you want something that can REALLY handle LOTS of powder AND a BIG lead round ball... if you're wanting to have a "last-chance" pistol.
Shoot Safely!
WV_Hillbilly