Got the Black Powder Revolver Bug

[Berks_Iraq_Vet]

Picked up a Pietta 1851 Navy Revolver at Cabelas in the Bargain Cave for $103.00 and an 1860 Army for $130.00. Both are .44 cal. Took them out on Friday and I have to say, they are the most accurate pistols I have ever fired. Used .451 round balls and 25 grains of FFFg powder. Also used #11 caps since there were no #10's in stock. The#11's worked fine. Man was it fun shooting them. The only part that was messy was greasing the business end of the cylinder. Cannot wait to get back out there (and pick up a few more pistols).

[J.W.]

I heart the bargain cave!! I'll keep my eye open for a pirate hat and an eye patch next time i go.

[knight0334]

Just be warned, the Pietta max load is 15grs of FFFg for the 44cal revolvers. The arbors(AKA -loading lever latch pin) have been known to pull from the receiver with the brass frame models with higher loads. Once that happens, most guns become nothing more than paperweights or clubs.

Page 20:
http://www.pietta.us/pdf/Manuale_Avancarica_ENG.pdf

Steel frames will take a bit more than the Pietta spec'd max. I've put about 300 balls through my brass 1851 Pietta though with about 21-23gr of FFFg and Pyrodex Pistol without any signs of harm(knocks on wood).

[brian]

cap and balls are a good time.
you'll get mixed feelings over the need to grease the cylinder.
i'm in the no need to camp....you get fire past the ball, you have problems.

[Bib]

Wonder wads eliminate the need to grease. You seat them BETWEEN the powder and the ball....makes for a lot neater range outing, IMO. Are you getting a thin lead ring when you seat your balls? (!) If your balls are undersized they might back out and tie up the cylinder. The revolver I have says .44 cal on it but takes .457 balls.

[knight0334]

Wonder wads eliminate the need to grease. You seat them BETWEEN the powder and the ball....makes for a lot neater range outing, IMO. Are you getting a thin lead ring when you seat your balls? (!) If your balls are undersized they might back out and tie up the cylinder. The revolver I have says .44 cal on it but takes .457 balls.

So long as it is shaving and swaging the ball, he is fine. Cylinder bore dimensions range from .439" to .454" between manufacturers.

Most of the "44" cap & ball barrel bores are about .440" land to land, and .449-.450" groove to groove. ...with some variances between manufacturers.

[Berks_Iraq_Vet]

Wonder wads eliminate the need to grease. You seat them BETWEEN the powder and the ball....makes for a lot neater range outing, IMO. Are you getting a thin lead ring when you seat your balls? (!) If your balls are undersized they might back out and tie up the cylinder. The revolver I have says .44 cal on it but takes .457 balls.

I don't get a thin lead ring when I seat the ball. They do seat tight in each cylinder.

[knight0334]

I don't get a thin lead ring when I seat the ball. They do seat tight in each cylinder.

You need bigger balls then.

You want that lead ring and the swaging for sealing the chambers and providing enough resistance for the blackpowder to ignite properly. Blackpowder does nasty things if there is air behind the projectile or if there isn't enough resistance against the explosion.

[justashooter]

you need bigger balls, my friend.

[djturnz]

you need bigger balls, my friend.

Nuff Said!