Let's Talk Ball and Patch Size in a .44 Cal

[arcticap]

And a .433 ball won't fit? Right? Did you even consider calling Pedersoli to find out what they used for .44 caliber. You can look up the time the gun was proofed. It's a letter code. Get any website that has Italian proof marks for the information. Call Pedersoli and tell them the year it was proofed and a .433 ball will not fit. Also, you can pull the breech plug and slug the bore.

Addendum: What do the other marks on the gun look like? That's a Pedersoli?

That's an interesting idea.
But I would not pull the breech plug.
Yes, contact Pedersoli and complain about the bore being out of spec., they have an email.
Also contact the Pedersoli USA warranty & service repair shop, Lee Shavers, and ask him what to do.
If he can measure the bore and finds that it's defective, then maybe he can obtain a replacement barrel or an entire new gun for you free of charge.
He must have specialized equipment to measure and inspect the bore.
Or perhaps Pedersoli will want the gun shipped to them for inspection.
Then they could replace it gratis upon its return.
The squeaky wheel gets the grease and all of that you know......
If the gun won't shoot very well anyway, then what is there to lose by trying?
Explore those options.--->>> https://www.davide-pedersoli.com/distributori-nazione.asp/l_en/idarea_3/idsottoarea_224/distributors-united states.html

SERVICE POINTS & WARRANTY SERVICE
LEE SHAVER GUNSMITH
404 East 17th St. - P.O. Box 570 - 64759 - LAMAR, MO.

• Phone: 001 417 682 3330
  
• fax:
  
• Email: [email protected]

 

[Mowgli Terry]

If you want to: The more specific information the better. Looks like your date code is in Roman Numerals-can't see them very well. Those numerals are on the proof list. For example, my Colt 1862 replica was made in 2014 and is marked CM. Later guns used letters. All you need is the correct dimensions for the balls. Do some calling. I'd look on two or more list . One of those proof list was messed up. Date and model on the gun would be helpful.

Lee Shaver has repaired an 1885 for me. Those guys stay very busy. Might do well to call Pedersoli first. That's a personal bias since I email one company who promised to reply within twenty-hours. That was six years ago and I'm still waiting.

 

[paul harm]

You can buy a dial indicator from harbor Freight for around $15 and measure the bore or one of the balls you pulled out or if they're gone pull another out. Then you'll know what size the bore is. There's no one here who can tell you what size ball patch combination to use without the size of the bore and depth of the rifling.

 

[Mowgli Terry]

You may do better with a caliper or micrometer. Using the difference between lands and groves goes back to before the dawn of time. It works. However, many modern shooters use a near bore size ball and thicker patch. You will have to figure what works best. Also with shallow grooves you may need the thicker patch. Again, this is something you have to work out. With that odd size barrel there are no pat answers.

 

[MEHavey]

Just loaded up new Pedersoli 44 LePage this afternoon/evening.

0.433" ball (HNDY)
0.012" denim (spit patch)

Lay patch on muzzle
Smack ball onto/into patch/down muzzle/flush using rawhide hammer
Cut patch material flush
Short start as normal
Firmly seat down onto powder using standard ramrod ("smoothly stiff")
Cap & fire

Damp wipe bore . . . .

Repeat.
Totally normal loading/process.







Postscript: The LePage does have (considerable) vertical adjustment in the rear sight.

 

[Mowgli Terry]

How about sharing with us how it worked. Pedersoli appears to have done very well in European BP matches. This includes some serious shooting. The LePage is a very nice handgun.

 

[MEHavey]

Today was just get a 6-8 rounds downrange/in the ballpark to get a handle on point of impact/general mechanics/loading process/cleaning, etc.
Tomorrow I'll wring it out in a more disciplined/development fashion.


FWIW: As supplied by the factory, the set trigger was reeeeeeally light.
I backed the adjustment out a 1/3 turn so I could breathe, and still used
just the "normal" trigger for tonight's familarization -- which really was pretty
good in & of itself.

 

[Mowgli Terry]

Wonder if OP ever found out about his handgun. I still have the handgun used in BP matches years ago. It was a Spanish made CVA of decent quality. In this instance the ball was a .440. I was running a .015 ticking patch. We would Murphy's Oil Soap and alcohol for patch lube. That gun also had a single set trigger. My gun was modified with a fixed sight to shoot in traditional class matches. I'd say your gun would shoot into the 90's on a 25 yard target off hand.

 

[riflee]

Pedersoli site says 44cal. uses 435 balls. Pedersoli USA lists all the details about their pistols.

 

[Mowgli Terry]

Wonder what happened to OP? Did he ever find out what caliber ball he should use? OP had to drive the ball down the barrel. It was established beyond a doubt that the gun did not use a .433 ball. The real issue was to resolve OP problem. OP's gun was older and marked 44 caliber. I'm sure any information specific to that particular older 44 marked gun would be helpful.

 

[Blackpowdershooter44]

Wonder what happened to OP? Did he ever find out what caliber ball he should use? OP had to drive the ball down the barrel. It was established beyond a doubt that the gun did not use a .433 ball. The real issue was to resolve OP problem. OP's gun was older and marked 44 caliber. I'm sure any information specific to that particular older 44 marked gun would be helpful.

Nope. I'm giving it back to my buddy that lent it to me to shoot. I could've probably shot bare ball with the tight ball but I didn't want to do that with his gun. thats why I like revolvers lol.

 

[Mowgli Terry]

That's not fair. Give us a mystery and cop out at the last. I don't know about what to think all this Are you going answer your buddies phone calls? Take care and be safe. Remember the amateurs will be out on the Holiday!