Pedersoli Rolling Block Preliminary Range Report

[doubs43]

My new Pedersoli Rolling Block rifle is a pistol grip model with double set triggers and a 30" octagon barrel. It is marketed as the "Silhouette" by Pedersoli but Dixie Gun Works sells it as a "Sporting" model. Mine is chambered in .40-65 WCF. It can be seen here:

http://www.davide-pedersoli.com/scheda-prodotto.asp/l_en/idpr_186/rifles-rolling-block-rolling-block-silhouette.html

I added a Pedersoli globe front sight with post & ball insert plus a Model #431 long range Creedmoor Vernier rear sight.

First impressions: Very good fit & finish. Nicely blued barrel and color case hardening attractive. Wood is nice. Double set triggers very nice. Main spring is heavy but that's par for a Rolling Block rifle. Action works smoothly.

On the range. The following targets say it better than I can explain it. Shot at 100 yards, each group is 10 shots. In each case, the first shot is in the white. The best group is obviously the 30.0 grains of H-4895 with the last 9 shots going into 1.75". Using 31.0 grains of H-4895 opened things up a bit but the one high shot was called so it's not as bad as it looks.

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i99/doubs43/PedRBTargets.jpg

Brass has been formed from 45-70 Remington cases and the mold is the Lyman #410678, a tapered Paul Matthews design that drops from my mold at 384 grains. The cartridge and as-cast bullet look like this:

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i99/doubs43/40-65CartridgeBullet.jpg

As soon as I get a calm day I'll fine tune my sight settings but my first trip to the range was successful IMO and I do like the rifle.

[6.5 mike]

Looking good

[Flintlockrecord]

That's a nice looking gun. Wish mine had the set triggers.

[leadman]

I use the Lyman Snover and 24grs of 5744 in my Pedersoli RB in 40-65. 100 yard groups are usually around an inch if I can do my part. Do not like the fact the price of 5744 is much higher than other powders so will search for a replacement when I am out.

I have tried 4895 but the accuracy was not quite as good.

Looks like your rifle might like it though!

[doubs43]

Thanks for the comments guys. The rifle is everything I had hoped it would be.

Leadman, I've looked at the Lyman Snover boolit. Is it tapered to allow seating it out like the Paul Matthews' 395 grain boolit that I'm now using? I'd like to try 5744 but it's not sold locally. Maybe I can get some when a friend orders powder. I elected to try H-4895 for two reasons; I have an 8# jug of it and Lyman's new #4 Cast Bullet Handbook shows it giving the best accuracy with the three heaviest boolits they list.