22 black powder short

[WestKentucky]

I have seen ammo marketed for antiques that is quite weak and safe for nearly any firearm. I have a decent supply of super colibri ammo. Looking specifically for something that fits an antique S&W number 1 cylinder though is getting a bit frustrating. The ammo is sold in fairly large quantity and it’s very very expensive for what it is. I’m wondering what the best cheap option is for shooting this old gun. I’m beginning to think that pushing a bullet deeper into the case may be an option on the colibri. Or rip them apart trim the live case and reinsert the bullet. I don’t particularly care for that option but I’m also not entirely opposed. If I do that I will buy a round ball bullet mold and drop some pure soft lead balls for that specific purpose. Make a thousand or so and then move on. Anybody have a solution to this that’s not 50 cents a shot?

 

[PRD1]

Well, I've shot my #1 with CCI CB short ammunition - not a lot, but enough to know that it is probably safe enough in the revolver for occasional use. DO NOT attempt to make the Super Colibri fit by pushing the bullet deeper: not only would this damage the bullet and bulge the case, but it would greatly increase the breech pressure because the Super Colibri does have a small powder charge, and decreasing the powder space in the case would certainly result in higher pressure.

PRD1 - mhb - MIke

 

[WestKentucky]

the Super Colibri does have a small powder charge

That’s what I needed to know. If it was just priming compound I would have pressed but with powder in the case I will not do that. I will find my maximum OAL and take the tips off of a couple of the colibri and see how that does. If it works then I could put a whole flat of 50 on the mill and just nip the tips and be good to go. I don’t need much removed, but the point is hitting the barrel assembly as it tries to locate. The good thing about this route is that the ammo is still good for the other 22s as well. I can spend a few minutes to make the cheapish ammo more versatile and avoid the more expensive stuff. Colibri and super colibri are available and affordable, so that’s absolutely the way to go assuming I don’t have to remove too much. The pellet in them is a skirted base and there is a slight chance that removing a bit from the nose will make a weak spot that could cause a squib. It’s just another measurement before going hog wild.

 

[PRD1]

My impression is that the Colibri (indeed, all of the Aguila stuff) is hotter than the CCI CB short, and I won't shoot it in my #1. Try to find some of the CCI stuff, and don't strain your antique #1 S&W more than necessary. It's not worth the risk of damage.

PRD1 - mhb - MIke

 

[unklebuck]

Like a beautiful flower, once picked, it wilts. I apply this same opinion for very old and vintage firearms that were made for black powder cartridges. I have also experienced the failure of a beautiful firearm when introducing modern smokeless ammunition to a black powder cartridge firearm. BEWARE!

 

[Tony50ae]

I also use CCI CB shorts in my number 1. Fairly cheap, and I don't shoot the gun much anyways. Since I owned it maybe a total of three cylinders worth. I would hate to accidentally destroy the gun so it will be relegated to occasional use. Still fun to shoot though!