[dgray64]

Hi, I just ordered an 1851 Confederate .44 from Cabelas. I've been shooting semi-auto, but have been bitten by the BP bug. Since I don't have it yet, I can't check the cyl size with calipers for the ball size needed. That should be easy. What about primers though. Some have said that elevens are good, some use 10's. At the price of primers, I cant' see buying a box of a size that doesn't fit. Is there a size that the calipers would help me with this determination or can you make a "too small" primer cap fit well enough to use them up and get the larger size? Also, when are you guys "pinching" your caps? Do you do it after you get them on to hold them? Do you use your fingers or pliers? Thanks for your patience. I'm really looking forward to this gun and fun; also the way the price of ammo and supplies are going up, loading my own will reduce the cost some. Happy Easter!

Dave :neener:

[scrat]

Happy easter Dave. I think for the most part it seems as though everything is using a number 10 or smaller. Over there in italy they have a number 9 which you really cant find here to easy. I dont know if id go out and order 1000 or more without really knowing though. If you have a local range or gun shop you should try the number 10's first. They should fit tight. a lot of people even with the 10's have to crimp them a hair to get them to fit tight. As for the ball be carefull. If you measure your cylinder and figure its a .452 a 452 ball is not acceptable. Most 44's including Uberti. work well witha .454 ball. Now when seating the ball you will have a nice round ring of lead. This shaving actually will indicate a properly loaded ball. If you were to use a .452 and did not get a shaving of lead then chances are the ball is not of proper size as the ball wont seal the cylinder all the way. This will effect the performance of the ball shooting at full power. Now if you get too big a ball you will have an extremely hard time loading the ball almost feeling like your going to break your loading lever. Which you will eventually or cut up your hand. Also the shaved ring will be very big.

[mykeal]

.451 or .454 should work on a Pietta .44 cal 1851.

Cap size is a different story - total crap shoot here. Buy a tin of 100 and try it. Too small and it will not fit fully onto the nipple, and two hammer strikes may be necessary to set it off (the first on seating it on the nipple, the second actually setting it off). Too large and it will be loose. Pinching it may solve the 'looseness' problem - pinch it with your fingers after it's on the nipple (this is NOT unsafe, but keep the gun pointed down or downrange just because you're supposed to). If that tin doesn't work, buy another and try it.

CCI No. 10's are not the same size as Remington No. 10's, and neither is the same size as RSW No. 1075's. Likewise the No. 11's, which are generally (but not always!) a bit larger than No. 10's of the same brand.

[Im283]

I believe I have the same gun as you. I use .451 balls, they seat just fine. .454 will work too, they seat a little harder and you can feel the difference in compression when you shoot it.
I am ssuming it is brass frame so keep the charge less than 30 grains of fff or equivilant.

Number 10 caps will fit but I have found that on numerous occassions it takes two hammer strikes to set them off. I switched to a Number 11 cap ( either Remington or CCI) and pinch it out of round before putting it on the nipple. It will stay put and fire on the first try. I pinch it using my finger and thumb. CCI caps seem harder to me, Remington seem easier to pinch. But it is not like the CCI is not workable.

I use Crisco over the ball after the cylinder is loaded and I have no troubles with fouling or binding. Of course I have not put much more than fifty rounds through the gun at one time.
when you get you next revolver, ( trust me, you will get another heh) you might not even put fifty through it at one shooting. 30 rounds takes me over an hour to shoot normally.

[Pancho]

I don't think there is anyway to avoid having both #10 and #11 caps in your shooting box. If the gun's nipple starts out needing #10 subsequent shooting will slowly mushroom the nipple and the #11 will start to fit better. Having both will lengthen the time until you need to replace or sharpen the nipples.
Keep your eye open when opening things that you have bought. Occasionally the manufacture will pack the item with a little packet of desiccant, keep it with your caps to insure they stay dry.
One last thing, make sure you read the stickies at the beginning of the forum before you shoot the gun they will answer a lot of questions.

[pohill]

I just posted this on the Voy forum. I think this info can help:
From an old Colt Industries pamphlet:
"Percussion caps are now made in sizes from nine to thirteen. Ten and eleven are the best numbers for the small and medium-sized arms, and twelve for the larger sizes, although, as different-sized nipples are sometimes met in specimens of the same model, no hard and fast rule can be given. It is better to have caps slightly too large than too small, as large caps can be pinched together at the bottom enough so they will stay on the nipples, but small ones must be driven down on the nipple by the blow of the hammer, and this process frequently cushions the blow to the extent of producing a misfire."

[dgray64]

Thanks all. I can't wait to get it. I read all of the stickies reports on both this site and the firing line site. Great info!! I will clean it very well and get used to it before I buy powder and ball and go for a blast. Have a Great Easter!

Dave :)