My Pedersoli 12 bore rifle

[elk hunter]

I recently ordered a Pedersoli 12 bore African hunter rifle from Dixie Gun Works, it arrived Monday and I shot it Tuesday. Attached is a picture of the rifle and the target that I fired the first three shots at. The range was only 25 yards but I wanted to be sure that I hit the paper. The load was 100 grains of F-G Goex powder and a 556 grain .718 diameter soft cast ball with a very thin patch. The ball on the left is the 12 bore the one on the right is .490 for comparison. Considering that with my old eyes the sights and the target are both indistinct blurs I think I may have a keeper. The weather was cold and windy so I only fired a few rounds and gave up and came home. When the weather improves I want to try FF-G powder and work up to 120 grains to see how it shoots at longer ranges. If I draw a muzzle loader elk tag this next year I will give it a try. So what do you think, is it a keeper?

[Reverend Al]

I think it's a real winner. It absolutely has huge "WHAT in the HECK are you SHOOTING?" appeal for when you are shooting at a range with other folks watching you from the sidelines ...

[varsity07840]

It's a keeper. My only suggestion is that for heavier powder charges, you may want to go to a smaller ball and a much thicker patch to prevent burn through. In my .72 flinter, I use a .710 ball and .020 patch and a 12 ga. lubed cushion wad(.740) over 150 gr of 2F GOEX. The patch is protected by the wad. My .72 has Forsythe rifling with shallow grooves.

[elk hunter]

Varsity;

Pedersoli recommends a .715 ball and a .010 patch. Unfortunately the Lyman mould I bought, marked as .715, casts a .718 diameter ball from soft lead, so I had to go to the thinner patch, a very old and thin handkerchief. With that patch it loaded so easy that I thought there was no way it would shoot accurately, boy was I fooled. The next smaller size mould I located was .690 which would be too small. I plan on trying different patch material's as my linen is all .012 thick. I'll have to try a wad under the ball and see how that works. The lady in the fabric store was quite helpful when, micrometer in hand, I explained what I wanted. I'm hoping that I can find a good shooting load at 1200 to 1300 fps. I bought this to use on elk as I don't like the in-line that I've been using, It's just too modern for my taste.

[725]

Man ! Do you ever have a keeper there. Nice shooting. Hope you can recover your lead or have a really good supply . You're going to have some fun.

[Boz330]

Just out of curiosity what are you doing for a ramrod in the field? I have a Gibbs for long range work but that is always with a loading table and accessories. I always thought that a light weight version of the Gibbs for hunting would be an outstanding combination, except for having to carry a separate ramrod.

Bob

[charlie b]

You should refer back to Idahoron's threads on paper patching. Ron has the old Green Mountain fast twist barrels (1:28?) and shoots well out to 300yd.

I have the Lyman Great Plains Hunter with a fairly fast twist (1:32) which will stabilize some 450gn slugs. It also likes the Hornday/Lyman Plains bullets.

PS that 12 bore looks like a nice rifle.

[mazo kid]

Definitely a keeper. Mold makers will make a mold for you; also look up Jeff Tanner molds. I have several he made for me, will cut any size you specify and cost is reasonable with quick shipping.

[elk hunter]

Just out of curiosity what are you doing for a ramrod in the field? I have a Gibbs for long range work but that is always with a loading table and accessories. I always thought that a light weight version of the Gibbs for hunting would be an outstanding combination, except for having to carry a separate ramrod.

Bob

Bob,

My plan, at least for now, is to make a two piece rod that screws together and then carry it in a scabbard, hung from a sling across my shoulder, like some of the early musket bayonets used. If I am hunting and get a shot I will pull the rod, screw it together, reload and then carry the rod in my left hand along the fore-end and barrel during the follow up. The real problem is to draw the muzzle loader elk tag which is getting harder to do without some points.

[GL49]

Could you show a picture of the other side of the rifle? I've got three Hawkens and have had to rework the stocks on them to remove the small cheekpiece/facerest (whatever it's called) from the stocks. For some reason, they just beat up my face until it's painful to pull the trigger.
Does the Pedersoli have just a straight stock on the other side? No cheekpiece? Pedersoli's website wasn't a help. I've got a double barrel Pedersoli Kodiak in 50 caliber, they build fine rifles.

I also hope to draw a muzzleloader Elk tag again this year, and am looking for something with a larger bore than 50 caliber. Not because I need it, but...ummm....just because. I wouldn't have to shoot more than 75 yards, I can't imagine trying 100 yards even with a good solid rest and plenty of time, old eyes and open sights are becoming a problem. I've always told myself if it's farther, I just need to hunt a little closer, time a patience are my friend. My brother and I both shoot 50 caliber Hawkens, I shoot the Lee REAL 320gr. in mine, he swears a round ball in his is better and has used round-ball-only for years. My mould casts both, so we're both happy, now you've got me thinking about two things.

1) Looking at the target, the rifle will shoot better than I can see.
2) Yessir, I do believe that ball will knock 'em down.

[Boz330]

Bob,

My plan, at least for now, is to make a two piece rod that screws together and then carry it in a scabbard, hung from a sling across my shoulder, like some of the early musket bayonets used. If I am hunting and get a shot I will pull the rod, screw it together, reload and then carry the rod in my left hand along the fore-end and barrel during the follow up. The real problem is to draw the muzzle loader elk tag which is getting harder to do without some points.

I hear you I've been trying to draw here in KY. Success rate here in KY is 86% if you get drawn but there are only around a 1000 permits and lots of wanters.
I use to guide elk hunters in NM and the odds of killing there were pretty long against you. Permits were also hard to get.

Bob

[elk hunter]

GL49,

The left side of the stock mirrors the right side I.E. no cheek rest. Posting pictures here is a pain. If you will PM me with an e-mail address I'll be happy to send along any pictures you want.

BOZ330,

The success rate in the unit I have hunted elk in for over 50 years is a whopping 3%. I've taken a number of elk over the years and until a few years ago I could say I took a buck and a bull just about every year since I started hunting in 1957. Unfortunately age and health problems the past few years have taken their toll and I can't hunt nearly as hard as I did in the past. I still love being out there even if I don't get anything. Plus, now the area where I have hunted elk with an across the counter tag is a draw area starting this year. It makes me wonder if I have taken my last elk, I sure hope not. Enough whining. May Diana, goddess of the hunt, smile on you with a tag and a shot.

[sharps4590]

That's quite the bore rifle!!! Yes, it looks to me to be a keeper. I was completely ignorant Pedersoli made such a beast. Has to be a hoot just to shoot, let alone get the chance to take an elk with it. I wish you good fortune in both drawing a tag and getting an elk.

I understand there is the possibility of an elk hunt here in Missouri this year. Might be something work looking into....aww..heck yea it is, elk tag or not!!!!

[GL49]

GL49,

The left side of the stock mirrors the right side I.E. no cheek rest. Posting pictures here is a pain. If you will PM me with an e-mail address I'll be happy to send along any pictures you want.

BOZ330,

The success rate in the unit I have hunted elk in for over 50 years is a whopping 3%. I've taken a number of elk over the years and until a few years ago I could say I took a buck and a bull just about every year since I started hunting in 1957. Unfortunately age and health problems the past few years have taken their toll and I can't hunt nearly as hard as I did in the past. I still love being out there even if I don't get anything. Plus, now the area where I have hunted elk with an across the counter tag is a draw area starting this year. It makes me wonder if I have taken my last elk, I sure hope not. Enough whining. May Diana, goddess of the hunt, smile on you with a tag and a shot.

Perfect! I don't know what it is about the doggone cheekpiece, but it'll sure beat the dickens out of me. If it's a straight stock on both sides, that's all I needed to know.

Where my brother and I hunt, it's a "get out and walk", rather than a "sit on a ridge and watch" kind of hunting. It's all timberland, with open spaces here and there, a 75 yard shot would probably be the farthest. At our age, (I'm 70, he'll be 69 in another month), we've found that hunting downhill is a lot more pleasant. Last year he said he'd seen a couple of places we hunt for the last time, he just didn't think he had a need to hike back in there again. I think both of us enjoy the hike and the big trees that are still in some places, as much as we do the hunting. He's always asking "So-o-o, if we get one, how do YOU plan on getting it out?"

He's got two son-in-laws and I've got two sons.....both of us have phones.....problem solved.

I see Dixie Gun Works has the rifle on sale, I just had to check.

[Boz330]

GL49,

The left side of the stock mirrors the right side I.E. no cheek rest. Posting pictures here is a pain. If you will PM me with an e-mail address I'll be happy to send along any pictures you want.

BOZ330,

The success rate in the unit I have hunted elk in for over 50 years is a whopping 3%. I've taken a number of elk over the years and until a few years ago I could say I took a buck and a bull just about every year since I started hunting in 1957. Unfortunately age and health problems the past few years have taken their toll and I can't hunt nearly as hard as I did in the past. I still love being out there even if I don't get anything. Plus, now the area where I have hunted elk with an across the counter tag is a draw area starting this year. It makes me wonder if I have taken my last elk, I sure hope not. Enough whining. May Diana, goddess of the hunt, smile on you with a tag and a shot.

The herd is in Eastern KY which is as rough a country as any to hunt elk. The only advantage over out west is the bottom of the mountains start at 600-700 ft not 7000ft.
Thanks

Bob

[17nut]

Many moons ago a mate of mine had a .54 Hawken that would'nt shoot patched balls worth a hoot. Ended up with a thick greased feltwad on the powder and a plain .535 roundball unpatched. That fart would shoot like a laser within 150 yds.

[Black Jaque Janaviac]

Just out of curiosity what are you doing for a ramrod in the field? I have a Gibbs for long range work but that is always with a loading table and accessories. I always thought that a light weight version of the Gibbs for hunting would be an outstanding combination, except for having to carry a separate ramrod.

Bob

At .72 bore I think you can just cut down a small tree and limb it any time you need to reload.

[smithnframe]

Very nice!

[Jedman]

A 12 ga. Round ball will definitely do the job. Nice rifle, like the rear peep.

Jedman