Black powder revolver question after debate

**c_brutsche** · July 12th, 2010, 09:59 PM

To start off, I am 23 and have been shooting black powder revolvers for quite some time. I have at least 4-5K rounds under my belt. Not an unimaginable amount, but not a little either I feel. Anyways I have always loaded my pair of .44's with powder, wad, then tight fitting ball. I have NEVER had any problems with this loading method. HOWEVER, I came across a person that said to me not putting any grease over the balls to seal the cylinder is a time bomb for a chain fire. But I have never had any problems using lubed wads under the ball. So my question is am I being nieve or am I perfectly safe using the method I have been with the lubed wads? It just got me thinking...

**Statkowski** · July 12th, 2010, 10:23 PM

I don't think Wild Bill Hickock stuff grease in the cylinders over the ball ammunition to prevent a chain fire. Apart from getting shot in the head from behind, I'd say what was good enough for him ought to be good enough for you.

**c_brutsche** · July 12th, 2010, 10:42 PM

Originally Posted by Statkowski

I don't think Wild Bill Hickock stuff grease in the cylinders over the ball ammunition to prevent a chain fire. Apart from getting shot in the head from behind, I'd say what was good enough for him ought to be good enough for you.

that is what i was thinking...thank you sir...ironic enough one of my bp revolvers is the wild bill engraved model lol

**surbat6** · July 13th, 2010, 08:44 AM

If the balls are sized so that there's a thin ring of lead shaved off at the edge of the chamber when they're rammed home, there is no chance of a chain fire caused by flashover at the front of the cylinder, wad or no wad. You may possibly get multiple discharge due to flashover at the REAR of the cylinder due to poor-fitting or missing caps.
The grease is not added for the purpose of preventing multiple discharges. It's there to keep fouling soft...and make a mess of your holster!

**Karl/PA** · July 13th, 2010, 10:23 AM

Chain fires have indeed occurred on some BP revolvers, invariably Colts or Colt reproductions. Remingtons and most others have the nipples seated in a well like depression making chain fires highly unlikely. The rear of a Colt cylinder is flat with the nipples protruding. Should a cap fall off it is entirely possible for fire to flash from one nipple to another. Properly size and seating of caps is crucial.

Remingtons have another quirk that many shooters experience. Pieces of used cap can fall and jam the cylinder rotation. This is usually caused by using the larger caps used on Colts and trying to pinch them tight. Rems use a smaller #10 cap and a capper is almost mandatory unless you have very small fingers.

Grease on the front of the cylinder is used as a lube and to help keep fouling soft.

**Pete D.** · July 13th, 2010, 02:34 PM

I have always loaded my pair of .44's with powder, wad, then tight fitting ball. I have NEVER had any problems with this loading method.

Yep. Me too.

The grease is not added for the purpose of preventing multiple discharges. It's there to keep fouling soft...and make a mess of your holster!

Note: I understand and agree (though I do not do it) that grease on the front of the cylinder is there as a lube, a way of keeping the fouling soft. BUT.....there are plenty of shooters who believe fervently that it is put there to prevent chainfires.
Pete

**phill** · July 13th, 2010, 05:24 PM

I have had one chain fire in my life, happened with a 36 Navy repop. First round with wonder wads, seated tight ball and Crisco seal. The problem in MHO was using the common wisdom to bite the #11 caps to make them stay on the nipple.
Since that time with a little education from a re-print in American Rifleman stating that #10 caps should be used on Colt repops., no more problems.
I have no idea where the grease story started but it is firmly set in stone.