Load Data Required - British New Land Pattern Pistol

[Weapontech]

Picked this up recently.........
It's a typical repro available through either Military Heritage, or Loyalist Arms. This version is made in India according to proof marks. Construction/assembly is quite good, compared to some I have seen or fired. Advertised as a .62 cal, 9 inch barrel.

Digital calipers revealed that the bore is a tad over .597, and muzzle to breechplug is almost 8.5 inches.

I have a fairly extensive knowledge base for BP rifles/revolvers, but I'm lacking a little info on these larger bore hand-flinters.

Should I be looking at a .58 cal ball, with a .015+ thou patch......and a starting load of about 30-35 grns of FFg? Any other suggestions,
ideas or experience with these pieces would be greatly appreciated.

 

[mooncoon]

Normally you would go .010" under bore diameter but in this case using .570 balls, it is a standard size and to compensate use a heavy patch and I am guessing .020" although conceivably you might have to go a bit heavier. The heaviest denims run close to .030"
I would start with at least 35 gr of 3F and probably go up to 40 or 45. With the relatively large bore, you lose pressure quickly

cheers mooncoon

 

[green]

British ammunition list 1864 says ctg pistol for carbine bore pistol (.65") was 2drams powder and .60" 350 gr bt.