[vega]

Hi guys,

I'll be getting my first C&B revolver from Midway on Monday. What powder should I use? I ordered some .454 dia Speer and Hornady too. I'm not sure if they have the same weight. Is there a book out there for black powder loading or just follow some simple steps? I load for my pistols and rifle so I coud say I'm pretty much adept.

As I understanf it, first put the measured powder then the lubricated wad then the ball. I'm getting confused with some forum as they suggest putting the ball on a patch. The video I saw doesn't recommend that.

BTW, I didn't get any fancy revolver, I bought the CVA. Any idea how it would hold up? No competition for me, just creative shooting.

TIA,
vega

[mcneill]

You have the loading procedure correct - powder, lubed wad, and ball. Most folks put some form of grease over the ball to help soften/reduce fouling. I use Thompson Center Bore Butter for this purpose.

You do not need a patch with the ball because you are already using an oversized ball. When you seat the ball there should be a small ring of lead shaved off as the ball is pressed into the chamber mouth. This will result in the ball sealing the chamber from the front and will also give more surface to react with the rifling when the gun is fired.

Powder - I use Goex FFFg.

Books - Both the NRA and NMLRA have basic instructional manuals available.

Hope this helps and welcome aboard. But, be warned - this stuff is addictive.

Jim

[Mark whiz]

don't worry, Vega..........
you done good and you're on the right track.

You're 100% correct on the loading procedure.............pour in the measured amount of powder, put in the lubed wad, compress the ball into the cylinder (make sure the ball is centered over the hole - as it's pressed in, a little ring of excess lead will be trimmed off of the ball......make sure you pull that out of the way), then cap the nipples, & make some smoke. :D

That last little bit explains why you DON'T use a patch in a revolver. Here you are squeezing an OVER-caliber ball into the cylinder in order to get a good seal over the powder...................while single shot rifles & pistols shoot an UNDER-caliber ball and need a patch to take up the extra space and create a good seal.

As far as powder goes, you'll need to use a 3fg (fffg) cut of powder. This can be Pyrodex "P" or 3fg cuts of Goex Black, Triple Seven, Clear Shot, or American Pioneer Powders. Personally I prefer to use the Triple Seven powder.....................it's more powerful & easier to clean than the rest (except maybe American Pioneer). I have the CVA brass-framed 1858 Rem replica and load it with 25 to 27gr of 3fg 777 powder and get excellent results. Since 777 is about 15% more powerful, you have to reduce the manufacturer's suggested max load by 15% if you use the 777 powder.

[4v50 Gary]

check out what member Gatofeo (ugly cat) suggests at this link here. (http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=94592)

[vega]

Thanks for the replies and link. I've been following uglycat's posts here, TFL and Frontier. Now I've been thinking, I should have gotten the steel frame...well perhaps another time.

vega