Uberti 1860 and .451 balls

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carbine85

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The only thing I can find are .451 and .454 is recommended. Will the .451 be ok to use for now?
Everyone around here is out of .454 and I want to shoot this thing tomorrow.
 
For best accuracy usually the 44 calibers like the 454 or 457 ball but that may not be always the case.

Shoot it. Your revolver may like them.
 
Lots of controversy on what causes chain fires, my own opinion is improperly fitting projectiles. If your revolver doesn't shave a ring of lead at the chamber mouth when loading, plan on sealing the chamber mouth with a good smear of Crisco or other solid lube. Unless you are using a properly fitting lubed wad. All so fire one and then do a quick check to see if the ball in the other chambers has shifted forward. Ideally it will take a moderate amount of force to seat the ball and it should shave a ring of lead.
Make sure all nipples on loaded chambers are capped when firing.
 
Problem I had shooting 451s out of a cylinder wanting 454s is that the recoil causes the balls in the unfired cylinders to come forward thus no longer having contact with the powder leaving an air gap. I had to reseat balls after each shot.
Best just to order the 454's and wait. You could pay for the express delivery if you really don't want to wait and don't mind the extra shipping cost.
 
If you already have them, see if they shave a ring of lead. If not, give them a soft tap with a mallet, you just need a few thousandths, then shoot em and get the .454's.
 
Yes, but he said he only has 451 ball and will this be a problem. I used 451 ball in my Uberti 1860 Army and didn't have a problem except they were not as accurate as the 454 ball.
 
I tried .451's in my Pietta 1860 .Every once in a while one would stick to the plunger and come right back out.Then ,while shooting the gun I would have to re-ram the remaining chambers between every shot!
I tossed the rest of those .451's into my melting pot.
 
As for chainfires caused by loose projectiles,I attempt to prevent that by making my own thick leather wads with a 1/2" punch and "swaging"them through a "die"I made that squeezes them down to a tight fit in the chamber I figure there's no flame or spark getting around that ,though I still load .454 balls to prevent walking of the projectile.
 
No offense but - but in regards Pietta, that is incorrect. .454 dia ball is the rule for Pietta 44's. A .454 will shave a good ring. A complete ring means no chain fire.


They must have changed their specs. Most of my Piettas are years old but the instructions all said use .451 balls. .454 would work, just requiring a little more elbow-grease.
Ubertis all stated .454 balls.
Whatever size a complete lead ring is definantly important.
 
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