First shot card

Yesterday was the first time I managed to get to the range to shoot the Mortimer muzzle-loading percussion pistol. Using the load details blogged previously, I shot a single card at 25m using an NSRA UIT Precision Pistol Target [PL7].

 

The final score was 83 ex 100 [17 off], with a reasonable group just high of center. The point of aim was at 6 o'clock, just below the black. Later on I might adjust the windage by drifting the foresight to the right.

 

In competitions the detail duration is 30 minutes, with the best 10 shots scoring from 13 shots fired. 50% of shot hole to be over the line for the higher score to count [hence only two x 10 scores and not three as hoped for]. This is to allow for different calibres being shot.

 

Stats

 

Detail scores: 83

Average score: 83.0

Personal best: 83

Barrel count: 13

More information:

National Smallbore Rifle Association
 



Loading

Having researched all the available information on the loading recommendations for the Mortimer muzzle-loading black powder pistol, I finally managed to get to the range and to try out some different loads.

 

I found that the following combination gave good groupings, low recoil/noise and reasonable scores [for a first attempt]:

 

Black Powder make: Henry Krank's Fine [FFFg]

Black Powder Load: 10.0 grains

Ball make: Pedersoli

Ball size: 0.354

Patch make: Henry Krank's

Patch size: 0.005 oiled

Percussion cap make: Dynamit Nobel

Percussion cap type: 1075

 

I also tried 0.010 oiled patches, but found that the balls were a lot harder to seat, and that pieces of the patch were being torn off. I also tried 12.0 grains of black powder, but found the recoil was worse, the noise louder, and the shots went low/right.

 

Plans for the future include trying out combinations of Hornady 0.350 balls, 0.015 oiled patches, 8.0 grains of black powder and CCI No.11 percussion caps.

 

I am also hoping to try some Swiss No.1 powder.

 

More information:

 

Henry Krank

Dynamit Nobel
Swiss blackpowders

Mortimer percussion pistol

This is my new muzzle-loading black powder pistol

 

It is a modern Pedersoli copy of a P. Mortimer percussion pistol, circa 1800.

 

The technical specifications are: .36 calibre with a 10 1/16 inch 1:18twist 7-groove barrel.

 

Full details at www.davide-pedersoli.com

Greetings!

Welcome to the "Charcoal Burner" blog.

 

It is devoted to my loading and shooting of a muzzle-loading black powder pistol. As time goes on, I will blog details of loads used, procedures being followed, competitions entered and even scores obtained.

 

Graeme