[Miami_JBT]

I just purchased a 1851 Marshal and a 1858 Remington from Cabela's. The Pietta manual states that the maxium powder load is 15 grans of FFFg while the Cabela's produced manual states 35 grains of FFFg.

What load is the correct one?

[arcticap]

The Cabela's manual is accurate if the frames are steel.

Read these threads about the differences in loads between brass and steel frames.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=464796&highlight=manual

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=464636&highlight=manual

[arcticap]

The Pietta manual on PDF lists 25 & 30 grains of fffg as the maximum for each revolver depending on conicals or balls, and 19 & 22 grains of fffg for the minimum depending on conicals or balls.

The same manual and loads are shared for all of the Pietta .44 Remington & Colt models except for the Walker & Dragoons.

http://www.traditionsfirearms.com/eshop/products/CAP%20%20BALL%20REVOLVER%20INFO%202.pdf

[SHIPCHIEF]

I have an 1851 Pietta Marshall .44. They don't call it stainless anymore.
Mine's at least 10 years old? No rust yet. Fired it each evening after hunting Eastern Wa whitetail (muzzle loading season this week).
I forgot how powerful and accurate this gun is.
Basically, you fill the cylinder up to just enough room to fit the ball, less if you use a powder wad. Mine is a pretty hard press on the lever to seat .454 round balls, leaves a thin lead ring. I use Goex fffg, and cover the balls in bore butter, crisco, or wonderlube.
Also the cylinder axle.
I rate this gun tops! Cool looking, handy, powerful, accurate, what's not to like?:D
Cabelas has them on sale, I'm thinking about getting a second one.
I think the full cylinder is 30 grains under a ball. I used a 20 gr charger, and added about half again to each hole, then checked them all to make sure they were equal.
Leave one empty, under the hammer when carried, like in your holster while hunting with your Hawkin.

[mykeal]

The Pietta manual states that the maxium powder load is 15 grans of FFFg while the Cabela's produced manual states 35 grains of FFFg.

What load is the correct one?

Neither. The 'correct' load is determined by the user.

If you're shooting for accuracy, you need to start with a low load, say 15-18 gr and shoot 3 to 5 shot groups at increasing loads until you find the one that produces the smallest group.

If you're shooting for 'effect' (lots of noise and smoke without regard for accuracy), load the chamber up with as much powder as you can and still get the ball in the chamber. And make darned sure you shave a full ring of lead on each and every ball, and that your caps fit snugly.

Actually, the .pdf file that arcticap mentioned is the best manual, as it doesn't give a single load. It states a range, which is the best way to put it.

[azyogi]

I bought my first cap & ball in 76 it was a ROA, the manual that came with it was 14 pages of good advise. When a friend bought a used repo 1858 new army in about 1994 he read my manual, and decided to order his own copy. What arrived was a 76 page book that had the same good advise buried under what could only be decribed as advise for idiots. I just have to wonder did we realy get that much dumber, or are we just forced to cater to the least common demoninator.

[mykeal]

I just have to wonder did we realy get that much dumber, or are we just forced to cater to the least common demoninator.
The latter. There really are people out there who don't use common sense or can't understand very simple, obvious features of firearms. And then there are those (a MUCH larger number of people) who intentionally ignore common sense or simple, obvious operating instructions because they're sure that they're smarter than everyone else. And when it backfires on them, as it inevitably must, they claim they weren't told.

[BHP FAN]

both.

[Smokin_Gun]

What ever load that fits in that Rev's chamber and is the most accurate for you is the correct load by volume ... when using real black powder you can't over load one...

[Shultzhaus]

There is a black powder handbook by Sam Fadala that has many pages of loading data. Gives loads for several powders, and projectiles, and their velocities. Covers many calibers. Also good reading for for any of us.

[GENTLEMAN OF THE CHARCOAL]

I'vd got that book here somewhere by Fadala. I guess it's the same one. Never read it. I just use 30 grains of Triple Seven 3fff and it has alway's served me well. Still have it in my mind that someday I might make a couple of ounces of blackpowder and just pour it on the ground and light it off just to see if it work's....

[Hellgate]

You might get 32-33grs in one but I just loaded up mine w/30grs and .454 balls and there is only about 1/8" clearance from the top of the ball.