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Frontier .50 Nov 22nd, pre-1840...

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RanchRoper
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Frontier .50 Nov 22nd, pre-1840...

Post by RanchRoper » Sun Nov 22, 2020 6:14 pm

Ok. Here we go. This target was shot at 50 yds, off hand standing. I was very impressed with the accuracy. Very impressed. I have never shot a BP rifle before. This is 50 gn of Triple 7 measured by volume, and it sounds like a cannon going off. WAY different than the 45 Colts. It's a big kaboom. And smoke. :D ....this is with a 30mph wind today too. I would not want to be on the receiving end of a .50 ball.

You will note there is only 1 hole in the target. That's because after the first shot I swabbed the bore with the fiberglass range rod I bought with it. A couple of passes with T/C #13 bore cleaner. Then a dry patch to soak up the stuff. Once the dry patch went in, the rod would not come out. At all. Not even budge a hair. I pulled, and pulled, and turned, and pulled. Every which way you could imagine. Now, I have arthritis in both hands, real bad in the thumbs and wrists too. So I thought, ok I'll just go home and take it out in the shed. I only live 10 minutes from the range, no big deal. Got home, put the rifle in the workmate vise table and pulled. And pulled. Foot against the table and pulled with both hands. Had to get a rubber hammer and tap over and over on the jag on the end sticking out (jags on both ends)....FINALLY it went "thunk" as the suction let go and the rod came out. I feel better knowing it was not just my arthritis...this thing was STUCK. Anyhow, my own fault as obviously the barrel is new and was not lubed enough. I spent the afternoon cleaning and lubing the barrel with bore butter. Stuff slides in and out pretty good now, but it's still a lot of suction in there. So here is my 1 shot target for today and will try again in a few days when I can get back to the range. It's pretty easy to clean though, just used some Ballistol liquid, some #13 and the little copper brush I bought fits the patent breech real good to clear it out.
So for a first outing I am pretty happy...learning curve I guess. Sure is a fun rifle to shoot and amazingly well balanced. Sights are primitive but cool. 8-) I'm hooked.



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PhotoFunia-1606085605.jpg (91.89 KiB) Viewed 2074 times


Shoot safe, RR
Last edited by RanchRoper on Sun Nov 22, 2020 7:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Pedersoli Frontier Flintlock .50

Ohkínohkomit - Shoot skillfully

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JEBar
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Re: Frontier .50 Nov 22nd, pre-1840...

Post by JEBar » Sun Nov 22, 2020 6:20 pm

you need to frame the target showing your first shot .... tip that might help, after each shot, put the hammer on half cock and remove the cap .... that will open up the airway into the rear of the barrel .... hopefully, that will relieve future vacuum locks

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Re: Frontier .50 Nov 22nd, pre-1840...

Post by CT_Shooter » Sun Nov 22, 2020 6:46 pm

Great first shot, RR. No one is surprised, though. I think Jim's idea of framing that target as a trophy is as accurate as your first shot. Awesome.
H006M Big Boy Brass .357 - H001 Classic .22LR - Uberti / Taylors & Co. SmokeWagon .357 5.5" - Uberti / Taylors & Co. RanchHand .22LR 5.5"

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Re: Frontier .50 Nov 22nd, pre-1840...

Post by BigAl52 » Sun Nov 22, 2020 6:56 pm

Told ya
Don't let the old man in


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BigAl52
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Re: Frontier .50 Nov 22nd, pre-1840...

Post by BigAl52 » Sun Nov 22, 2020 7:00 pm

Just a heads up RR you can use ballistol for patch lube lots of guys do that. Straight or mix it with some water. Spit works to do it all the time in the pistolas
Don't let the old man in


H001T .22LR
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Ernie
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Re: Frontier .50 Nov 22nd, pre-1840...

Post by Ernie » Sun Nov 22, 2020 7:11 pm

One shot a day can be a real savings on powder and shot but could get a little expensive on targets.
Thanks for the story....I got a good visual picture and a good chuckle.
Last edited by Ernie on Sun Nov 22, 2020 7:17 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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RanchRoper
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Re: Frontier .50 Nov 22nd, pre-1840...

Post by RanchRoper » Sun Nov 22, 2020 7:13 pm

Thanks guys. Can't wait to shoot again. I did remove the cap but perhaps not in the right sequence to avoid the suction. The Ballistol I bought is in little bottles. Bought 4 of them, $15 each. Not cheap stuff. The rifle sounds like a 45-70 going off. Surprised me a little. I used the set trigger. Have to be REALLY careful with it as it only requires a touch to fire. It is a unique experience shooting it though. Very old timey.

Pedersoli Frontier Flintlock .50

Ohkínohkomit - Shoot skillfully

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CT_Shooter
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Re: Frontier .50 Nov 22nd, pre-1840...

Post by CT_Shooter » Sun Nov 22, 2020 8:13 pm

RanchRoper wrote:
Sun Nov 22, 2020 7:13 pm
The Ballistol I bought is in little bottles. Bought 4 of them, $15 each. Not cheap stuff.
The last time I bought a sixteen ounce can it cost $17.59 US.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001O2L80E/
H006M Big Boy Brass .357 - H001 Classic .22LR - Uberti / Taylors & Co. SmokeWagon .357 5.5" - Uberti / Taylors & Co. RanchHand .22LR 5.5"

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RanchRoper
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Re: Frontier .50 Nov 22nd, pre-1840...

Post by RanchRoper » Sun Nov 22, 2020 8:27 pm

The guy I bought the rifle from said he had more trouble getting Ballistol into Canada than the rifle from Italy. Weird country we live in here....

Pedersoli Frontier Flintlock .50

Ohkínohkomit - Shoot skillfully

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North Country Gal
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Re: Frontier .50 Nov 22nd, pre-1840...

Post by North Country Gal » Sun Nov 22, 2020 8:35 pm

Not surprised at all with that first shot. I knew that both the gun and the shooter could do it. Glad you got the rod out.

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