Black Powder 44 revolver

**65mustang** · February 14th, 2009, 08:02 PM

Hi I have this black powder 44 revolver and I need to know what I will need to shoot it. I seen the shooting kits but is this the best way to go or is there better components to buy individually? Here is a pic of it. thanks

**brian** · February 14th, 2009, 08:18 PM

looks like an 1860 army clone, colt made them.
you need:
3f black powder
.454 lead round balls, either cast or swagged.
#10 or #11 percusion caps, just by one tin of each(100 per tin), to figure out which works best with your gun, since it did'nt come with a manaul.

that's what you need. here's other stuff that really helps.
powder flask with a 20-30grn spout
45cal greased wads.
thompson center bore butter.

black powder and oil do not mix at all.
the bore butter is just a fancy crisco, but in stead of oiling the bore after cleaning you use the butter.
if you oil the bore, clean up will be much worse.
the butter will "season" the barrel, like the way the old cast iron pan is seasoned.
clean up is done with simple HOT water, just water. scrub bore wipe everything down, and butter the works.
the action will need opened every so often and oiled. yes it;s a double edged sword there, but some things do need lubed.
the butter can be used to lube the cylinder pin, as that will see lots of bp build up during use.

you will hear talk of greasing the cylinders after loading to prevent chain fires....that step is not needed, the ball seals the front.
chain fires come from the rear due to the wrong size cap.

it's sounds like alot of work, and it is, but it's loads of fun as well.

i see you're in lebanon, i shoot at jonestown regularly, maybe we could meet up.
i'm a closet black powder junky.
muzzleloader, cap and ball or cartridge it all smokes the same.

when dealing wiht black powder, dixon's is the only shop you will need.

**knight0334** · February 14th, 2009, 09:38 PM

Thats a 1851 Confederate Navy replica. Brass frames are the Confederate model.

Like Brian said above:
fffg blackpowder
#10 or #11 caps
.452" to .454" round balls
optional is a grease wad/patch

You can use kitchen Crisco grease to seal the front of the balls after loading to prevent a chain-fire. Just set it out in the sun, or pre-warm it in some other means, then use a squirt tube or a Q-tip to swirl some infront of each ball.

With the brass frame I'd stay under 30grs of powder. Somewhere between 20 and 25 grains. And remember, blackpowder and it's substitutes are measure by volume, NOT by weight. Your powder scale will do you no good. You need a fixed or variable nozzle between 20 and 30grs.

Always fully seat a projectile on blackpowder, otherwise you will have a bomb in your hands. Air between a ball and powder will make for nasty events.

Loading:
1. insert powder
2. load and seat a ball
3. repeat for all chambers
4. grease the front of each ball
5. put on percussion caps
6. shoot and enjoy

fully clean when done. blackpowder, and pyrodex too, will rust your gun up in no time flat.

**phill** · February 14th, 2009, 11:46 PM

Try the #10 caps first most of the chainfires are caused by using #11 caps on Colt and clones. The worst that happens is they may be a little tight. Clean with soap and water and be sure to dry everything well then oil.

**65mustang** · February 15th, 2009, 08:38 AM

Thanks for all the info. I didn't complain about not getting a manual since it was given to be by my wife's cousin.

**65mustang** · November 14th, 2009, 01:41 PM

I know it has been a while but I finally shot it Thursday. I started with 25 grains and then got brave with 30 grains after 12 rounds. The #10 caps worked perfect. It worked fine with 30 grains besides that is what size the flask nozzle was. It was very accurate as far as groups (2" at 12 yards) but all of the shots were a little high and to the left.
I ended up getting a Traditions shooters kit. Midway had them for $52 and with the $10 off 50 or more that was a reasonable deal. I was gonna get a Cabelas kit but I am glad I didn't as the Traditions came with cleaning kit and better made stuff IMO. Thanks for everyones help in getting me started in another aspect of shooting. But then again now I want another to add another one to the collection.

**phill** · November 14th, 2009, 01:48 PM

The smoke the smell and that soft boom are very cool. Nothing takes you back to the b-westerns like playing witk a b-powder gun.
Your next step should be a Sharps or a Smith CW carbine.

**Matthew Temkin** · November 14th, 2009, 02:07 PM

Just remember that the brass guns are not as robust as the all steel versions.
I would keep it at 20-25 grains of powder.
I have replicas of the Colt 1860 and 1851 (.36) as well as the Ruger Old Army.
All shoot great and are very accurate.