[bigboat]

I see that they have powder "pellets" for pistols. I see from Cabella's they have 44 cal pellets but I may be getting a 36 cal. So, 1) are the pellets easier to use and 2) where can I get 36 cal. pellets?

[Donny]

I have not used the pellets but they sound like they would be more convenient than loose powder. However, I have read mixed reviews on this board and others about their reliability and tendancy to crush when loading a ball on top of them. I'm going to stick to loose powder until I start seeing rave reviews about the pellets.

Don

[mainmech48]

I've used a few boxes of the Pyrodex 30 gr. pellets in my repro Colt and Remington C&B revolvers. They're convenient, but the results I've gotten otherwise have been mixed.

I've never had any significant ignition problems with them. I use Remington and CCI #10-#11 caps (depending on which fits the particular nipple best) and they've worked just as well as they have with loose powder.

The main reason that I stick to powder and my flask is that, with one exception, all of my revolvers shoot better groups with smaller charges whether RB or conicals are used.

The single exception so far is my Pietta .44 Colt 1860 with a 5 1/2" barrel. It not only shoots its best groups with a pellet, Ox Yoke Wonder Wad and Buffalo conical, it also puts them dead-on POA at 25 yds. Put a RB or Dixie repro conical on top of the same combo and I get 'patterns' high and to the right.

Put 24 gr. of Pyrodex P under either of them and they turn back into groups, still a bit high, but centered.

For the kind of shooting I like to do with C&B revolvers the old metering flask and loose powder works out better. I can tailor a tube to throw the optimum charge for a particular piece, mark it and swap them off as need arises.

I don't know of anyone making a pellet in .36 cal. Doesn't mean that there isn't one; just that I've never seen them. Dixie Gun Works would have them if anyone would.

[husker]

i have had probs with the nipples pluging up. the first round of loadings is ok. but the next round of loading= 1 or 2 will hang fire or not go off at all. and we all no what that means. never have this prob with powder

[WilliamFeldmann]

When I got my first C&B (Pietta Remington from Cabelas) several years ago, I got the .44 30gr Pyrodex pellets because it was a whole lot easier and cheaper than buying a whole pound of black powder and a flask and measure, and I didn't have any BP experience or anyone to turn to for advice.

Does it shoot the ball? yes
Is it accurate? it can be, just like bp, but I find the load too big my Remington, and too small for my Ruger
Is it easy? oh yeah, quick and simple

If you just wanna make noise and puch holes in big sheets of cardboard or plywood, they work well. If you are only going to fire it once in a while, they are probably the way to go. If you are going to shoot say more than 100 shots a year, read on.

Now here is why I still have around 100 of the original 200 and why I have gone through a can each of 777, Pyrodex P, and Goex.

If you want to dial in a load for accuracy, The pellets are fixed at 30. I have never seen a .36 pellet. Doesn't mean they don't exist, but I have a BP store 10 minutes away that I find rivals Dixie, and they don't have them. I tried using a pill splitter to split the pellets, DON'T, the wife will come home and start squaking about the "bleaping explosive all over her kitchen table" and it didn't work worth a darn anyway. She still loves me but wonders what goes through my head.

Pellets are messy, there just isn't enough barrel on a C&B to burn it all. And after a few cylinders full, they tend to leave something in the bottoms of your chambers, so cleaning becomes necessary earlier.

The loose substitues allow you compact the powder for a tighter and more consistent load. BP doesn't really compress and is even more consistent. The pellets have that hole through them. I am sure that it aides in ignition, but you can't compact the thing either.

Loose is WAY cheaper. Even real BP for a single can is cheaper than the pellets.

I have used them all and will not buy the pellets again. I am planning on firing through them this spring, and when they are gone they are gone.

[husker]

i second that=I have used them all and will not buy the pellets again. I am planning on firing through them this spring, and when they are gone they are gone.:barf:

[DoubleDeuce 1]

A few months ago I was watching a gentleman at the range shooting his cap and ball revolver. He showed me his bag of powder/ pellets he was using. I stood off to the side with a few other people while this guy did some shooting. Several times we saw burning chunks of pellet material coming out of the revolver and land about 10-15 yards out. The pellet material was on the ground and still burning for a few quick seconds before it went out. It would not be something I would consider shooting out of any of my guns. I would not want to risk the fire hazard, especially if I was out hunting.

[Chawbaccer]

I find it hard to believe that anything is easier than a flask with a spout on it.