I used a .311 ball because that is what Lee makes a dbl cavity mold in. 0.010" patch. It loved 20 to 35 grains of 3F. It would put them all in a quarter at 25 yards, which was enough for me. At first I was dissappointed when I saw the group, then I realized that the same sized group, with a bigger ball would be one ragged hole.
The lock time was very, very fast. I was really pleased with that.
The Pedersolis have one of those "patent breeches" which has a sort of narrowing at the breech. After numerous shots, the fouling would build up and you could get the powder to bridge at the breech. This would cause misfires. To clear it, I'd simply work a few grains of 3F into the touch hole. In general I'd only encounter this problem during range sessions, while hunting I'd limit out before I'd shoot enough to build the fouling that thick - it was that accurate.
The lock also ate flints rather severely. If I recall well enough, Track-of-the-Wolf had a special 5/8"x1/2" flint that worked best and lasted much longer than the 5/8" square flints. I also would cut a small groove out of the leather flint holder so the flint would fit farther back in the jaws. Compared to my Jim Chambers lock the Pedersoli was faster, but less reliable. For squirrel hunting reliability wasn't quite as crucial. If I had a misfire, I just had to wait another 10 minutes for the next squirrel. However, whatever I'm aiming my .54 at generally took a lot more effort to hunt, so I prefer my Chambers lock. I sometimes wonder if my Chambers lock wouldn't be equally fast if the builder hadn't necessitated filing the mainspring down in order to clear the lock bolt.
The .32 was just perfect for squirrels. Well maybe it was too much, depends on what you like. I like to see the squirrels curl up and fall immediately. For that kind of performance I don't mind mangling the occasional front quarters. I don't like to see a squirrel cling to a branch only to expire while resting in a crotch, or limp its way into a knot-hole.
Oh, and if you get a flinter, wear shooting glasses while hunting squirrels. I learned that when you aim up like at a squirrel, the pan residue will fall into your eye. Aiming on the level is no problem.
