The .31 caliber 1849 Pocket Pistol typically uses a .315" to .323" diameter soft lead round ball (often sized .319" or .321"), typically powered by 9–15 grains of FFFg black powder. The balls are seated over the powder, usually with bore butter, and capped with No. 10 or No. 11 percussion caps.
Recommended Components
Balls/Bullets: .319" or .321" lead balls are standard, but .323" can be used for a tighter fit. Specialized .31 cal. conicals are available.
Powder: FFFg or FFFFg (4Fg) black powder or substitutes like Pyrodex.
Caps: No. 10 or No. 11 percussion caps.
Lubricant: Bore butter or similar black powder grease to seal chambers.
Where to Find Ammo and Components
Specialty Online Retailers: Track of the Wolf offers .319", .320", and .323" lead balls. Buffalo Arms is another source for black powder supplies.
Bullet Molds: Casting your own is popular; Eras Gone Bullet Molds provides specific molds for this caliber.
General Sporting Goods: MidwayUSA frequently carries Hornady .315 lead balls.
Alternative: 00 buckshot is sometimes used as an inexpensive, ready-made alternative, as it is often roughly the correct diameter, though pure lead is preferred for loading.

Hi Russ and welcome. The 1849 Pocket Pistol is a .31 caliber percussion revolver requiring pure lead, soft round balls (typically .315" to .323" diameter) or conical bullets, FFFg black powder (approx. (10text{--}12) grains), and #10 or #11 percussion caps. ------------------- trackofthewolf.com/parts/detail/2976/1/ammo-31-revolver --------------------------------------------------- Conical bullets;-- https://cartridgekits.com/products/31-cal-lead-bullet?srsltid=AfmBOopZS-8E6zctw5IB8gLZ3IsFdKB8BP0ZGOsCTEv8Z8G41rofN7Vf ------------------------------- Excellent info here as well; - reddit.com/r/blackpowder/comments/1i9v3qq/finding_31_caliber_ammo/ ------------ Cheers, stay safe and enjoy!