New smoothbore pistol

[The Goose]

I acquired this pistol about 2 weeks ago from TOW. It is a .60 smoothbore marked M.A. Taylor, Sheffield on the top of the barrel. This is my first muzzle loading handgun and my first smoothbore.
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l299/sgoselin/Taylor60_zps92222865.jpg (http://s99.photobucket.com/user/sgoselin/media/Taylor60_zps92222865.jpg.html)
I had a Lee .60 ball mold so I cast a bunch in anticipation, but they were too big. I bought a bag of .595 balls to see how they would fit and they are just right with a .010 patch. It was finally nice enough and I had some time to get to the range the other day. I loaded it up with 50 grains of Goex 2F. I had no idea what to expect. A smoothbore with no rear sight was just totally new to me. I wanted to try it out at 20 feet or so, but some recent rains followed by freezing temps had frozen the target stand to the ground at 50 feet. So I put up a 8" Shoot N C and gave it a whirl. I fired a couple of shots just to get the feel then swabbed out the bore and shot the 5 shot group below. I don't know if this is good or not, but I think with a little work it can get a lot better. Man, what a hoot!!
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l299/sgoselin/20150123_125348_zpsm0r6ioyy.jpg (http://s99.photobucket.com/user/sgoselin/media/20150123_125348_zpsm0r6ioyy.jpg.html)

[fouronesix]

Smooth bore pistols are short range guns by definition. 50 ft is plenty long and looking at the target, that is well within what can be expected and likely beyond what the "normal use" range would have been. Think "Pirates of the Caribbean" :)

Without sights (save for some that have a bead or small blade front) they are an instinctive point and shoot affair but can be bench rested, using a consistent sight picture, for accuracy testing.

I have an original 54 cal smoothbore pistol and load about 40 gr BP w/ patched roundball to simulate an "original" full load. I was surprised at how well it shot. For most shooting with less recoil and less stress on the gun, I've settled on about 25 gr FF BP under the PRB.

I'd say that target looks very good!

[Dframe]

Looks to me like you did very well. Those old style "rock scratchers" are just pure fun

[1Shirt]

Ya did good! Would maybe go down 5 gr of pdr.
1Shirt!

[doc1876]

for giggles, try some "buck and ball"

[3leggedturtle]

Nice looking piece, Are you going to try any shot loads with it? How was the recoil.