Most available caliber?

Specter · 12-28-2006, 04:10 AM

I'm going to start the long process of getting a custom designed flintlock pistol made. My first question is what caliber would I have an easier time finding? .50 or .54?Actually I have a lot of questions concerning bullets. ”. I was originally thinking of making it a .54 caliber pistol so I could use .54 caliber conical or .50 and .45 caliber bullets in a sabot. Any input would be great.

The sabot thing is what is confusing me….54 caliber sabot with a .45 caliber bullet? Are they only shot with .45 caliber bullets loaded in them or can you put a .50 or .54 caliber in them? Could someone clear that up for me? I’m so interested in sabots because I wont need to use lubricated patches or lubed bullets.

This pistol isn't for any kind of hunting. It's a historical piece with a modern twist, a 16th to late 17th century “pirate pistol”. It’s a lot of trouble for a weapon that, historically, only had an effective accurate range of about 4 or 5 yards but I would like to incorporate modern technology with old world style. Thanks for your time.

Pirates Cove Arms - Custom Muzzleloading, Black Powder Pistols; Sterling Silver Castings (Furniture) for Muzzle Loading Weapons; Custom Jewelry based on Antique Spanish Coins or Cobs; Authentic reproductions for historical reinactments

samuel · 12-28-2006, 06:32 AM

Specter:If you are talking 1in 28 twist you should be able to stabilise anything from round balls to the heaviest sabots.If you drop back to 1in48-1in60 you are stuck with round balls.The ball-patch combo seldom is as accurate as sabots but I had a 1in32 twist that shot them with extreme accuracy.I,ve had little success with conicals.Maybe it,s just me.The crown on muzzleloaders is important as with all firearms,if the projectial starts easy but gets tight on down,dont expect the best accuracy.I like them to have resistance to start but then slide the rest of the way without any tight spots. Sounds like a fun project. samuel.

Specter · 12-28-2006, 10:25 AM

If I'm reading this correctly the barrel I've selected has an even faster rate of twist than that, 1in 20.

I seem to have lost my original question somewhere in my scrap pile up there.

I've seen a lot of .50 caliber ammo and shooting components but not very many .54 caliber ammo and components. Am I simply not looking in the right places or will it in fact be more difficult to go to the gun store/sport shop and find .54 caliber items as opposed to .50?

http://www.gmriflebarrel.com/catalog...els1516Octagon

samuel · 12-28-2006, 11:51 AM

specter:This is only my thoughts on what I understand.You are going to high pressure,possibly 12k with a system meant for low pressure.Originally flintlock was smoothbore without any wad on the ball.Probably below 5k.They came out with riflings and smaller caliber and a linin gas seal.They used a smaller touch hole but created ignition problems plus backfire problems.They probably got up to 10k or so.Fortunatly caplocks came out and they could curb the backfire with orfices.I dont know how you can handle the backfire with conicles and especially sabots,and a fast twist on top which will create more pressure.Meaning more burning powder coming out the wrong end. samuel.

Specter · 12-28-2006, 05:21 PM

Like I said it will "look" like a 16th century pirate's pistol but will blend modern technology in it's design. I know there are flint lock muzzle loading rifles with rifled barrels. There were also flintlock pistols produced with rifled barrels even back in the day before all the modern materials we have today. If its possible to do it safely I'd like to.

I won't use pyrodex or Triple 7. From what I've read about them both they don't ignite well in flintlocks and they create a lot more pressure.

Do you mean the gun would blow up or blow hot gas from the touch hole?

12-28-2006, 04:10 AM	#1
Specter Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 90	Most available caliber? I'm going to start the long process of getting a custom designed flintlock pistol made. My first question is what caliber would I have an easier time finding? .50 or .54?Actually I have a lot of questions concerning bullets. ”. I was originally thinking of making it a .54 caliber pistol so I could use .54 caliber conical or .50 and .45 caliber bullets in a sabot. Any input would be great. The sabot thing is what is confusing me….54 caliber sabot with a .45 caliber bullet? Are they only shot with .45 caliber bullets loaded in them or can you put a .50 or .54 caliber in them? Could someone clear that up for me? I’m so interested in sabots because I wont need to use lubricated patches or lubed bullets. This pistol isn't for any kind of hunting. It's a historical piece with a modern twist, a 16th to late 17th century “pirate pistol”. It’s a lot of trouble for a weapon that, historically, only had an effective accurate range of about 4 or 5 yards but I would like to incorporate modern technology with old world style. Thanks for your time. Pirates Cove Arms - Custom Muzzleloading, Black Powder Pistols; Sterling Silver Castings (Furniture) for Muzzle Loading Weapons; Custom Jewelry based on Antique Spanish Coins or Cobs; Authentic reproductions for historical reinactments Last edited by Specter; 12-28-2006 at 04:13 AM.

12-28-2006, 05:21 PM	#5
Specter Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 90	Like I said it will "look" like a 16th century pirate's pistol but will blend modern technology in it's design. I know there are flint lock muzzle loading rifles with rifled barrels. There were also flintlock pistols produced with rifled barrels even back in the day before all the modern materials we have today. If its possible to do it safely I'd like to. I won't use pyrodex or Triple 7. From what I've read about them both they don't ignite well in flintlocks and they create a lot more pressure. Do you mean the gun would blow up or blow hot gas from the touch hole? Last edited by Specter; 12-28-2006 at 05:28 PM.

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12-28-2006, 06:32 AM	#2
samuel Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 4,376	Specter:If you are talking 1in 28 twist you should be able to stabilise anything from round balls to the heaviest sabots.If you drop back to 1in48-1in60 you are stuck with round balls.The ball-patch combo seldom is as accurate as sabots but I had a 1in32 twist that shot them with extreme accuracy.I,ve had little success with conicals.Maybe it,s just me.The crown on muzzleloaders is important as with all firearms,if the projectial starts easy but gets tight on down,dont expect the best accuracy.I like them to have resistance to start but then slide the rest of the way without any tight spots. Sounds like a fun project. samuel.

12-28-2006, 10:25 AM	#3
Specter Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 90	If I'm reading this correctly the barrel I've selected has an even faster rate of twist than that, 1in 20. I seem to have lost my original question somewhere in my scrap pile up there. I've seen a lot of .50 caliber ammo and shooting components but not very many .54 caliber ammo and components. Am I simply not looking in the right places or will it in fact be more difficult to go to the gun store/sport shop and find .54 caliber items as opposed to .50? http://www.gmriflebarrel.com/catalog...els1516Octagon

12-28-2006, 11:51 AM	#4
samuel Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 4,376	specter:This is only my thoughts on what I understand.You are going to high pressure,possibly 12k with a system meant for low pressure.Originally flintlock was smoothbore without any wad on the ball.Probably below 5k.They came out with riflings and smaller caliber and a linin gas seal.They used a smaller touch hole but created ignition problems plus backfire problems.They probably got up to 10k or so.Fortunatly caplocks came out and they could curb the backfire with orfices.I dont know how you can handle the backfire with conicles and especially sabots,and a fast twist on top which will create more pressure.Meaning more burning powder coming out the wrong end. samuel.