I have heard it argued that the colt has to be inferior in accuracy/precision to the remington 1858 because of the detachable barrel. So I wondered if anyone had ever put these two pistols into a machine rest to see just how well they do in comparison? This assumes that they would both have optimized loads.
Colt 1860 vs Rem 1858 accuracy
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Tommygunn
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Having more than one of both types, IMHO the individual gun's particular atributes will most likely outweigh design differences. Theoretically the Remmie is better .... but then, say you have a particularly bad Remmie and a very accurate Colt?
I have one Uberti Colt 1861 Navy that is a veritable tack driver.
Most of my Remmies (of various styles and manufacters) are good too .... but that one Uberti 1861 is better.
Other peoples' mileage may vary.
In theory, the Remmie might maintain accuracy better, since wear on the Colt design with it's wedge might induce an inaccuracy later.
In truth though, atleast with the Italian imports, it seems more the gun than the design.
IMHO.
I have one Uberti Colt 1861 Navy that is a veritable tack driver.
Most of my Remmies (of various styles and manufacters) are good too .... but that one Uberti 1861 is better.
Other peoples' mileage may vary.
In theory, the Remmie might maintain accuracy better, since wear on the Colt design with it's wedge might induce an inaccuracy later.
In truth though, atleast with the Italian imports, it seems more the gun than the design.
IMHO.
I agree with Tommygunn on this.
And I doubt any inherent design aspect is going to make a difference for Accuracy with these respective Revolvers...so long as all is well with either being in good condition, snug, and well fitted.
Bore diameters of the Cylinder in relation to Barrel Bore, can play a role for Accuracy of course, in either design.
And I doubt any inherent design aspect is going to make a difference for Accuracy with these respective Revolvers...so long as all is well with either being in good condition, snug, and well fitted.
Bore diameters of the Cylinder in relation to Barrel Bore, can play a role for Accuracy of course, in either design.
MCgunner
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Well, ClemBert's right, ya know. 
Best I've gotten for 25 yard groups out of my 5.5" Pietta Navy so far is about 4" from sand bags. THAT's really not bad, I mean, for defense or such. But, I'll take the Ruger and it's sub 2" accuracy for hunting purposes. It's a big, heavy gun, though. The Navy is MUCH easier to carry or can even be concealed. When I get my 3" barrel made up, that'll go double.
I've been knocking around getting that 5.5" Pietta 58 Remmy steel frame Cabelas has on sale. But, I searched the forum and found some reports of cylinder chamber underboring. I guess I could buy it and buy a reamer if such was the case, but I just spend a hundred bucks on a couple of spare cylinders for the Navy instead. Neat as hell lookin' gun, though, and on sale at the moment for 199.
Best I've gotten for 25 yard groups out of my 5.5" Pietta Navy so far is about 4" from sand bags. THAT's really not bad, I mean, for defense or such. But, I'll take the Ruger and it's sub 2" accuracy for hunting purposes. It's a big, heavy gun, though. The Navy is MUCH easier to carry or can even be concealed. When I get my 3" barrel made up, that'll go double. I've been knocking around getting that 5.5" Pietta 58 Remmy steel frame Cabelas has on sale. But, I searched the forum and found some reports of cylinder chamber underboring. I guess I could buy it and buy a reamer if such was the case, but I just spend a hundred bucks on a couple of spare cylinders for the Navy instead. Neat as hell lookin' gun, though, and on sale at the moment for 199.
madcratebuilder
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Two equally prepared revolvers, Colt or Remington well shot the same. The Remington well hold it's accuracy longer before further tune-up is needed. The Remington and Rugers shine because of the superior sighting system. The Ruger with it's modern lock works is about as bullet proof as it gets. The solution is to own several of each.
rmfnla
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w_houle
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You would need a longer barrel on the '58 to equal the sight radius on the '51 and '60 Colt. I could see greater potential in the Colts to shoot loose, but feel that metallurgy might have something to do with that. I've been shooting my '51 as a conversion for a while and is isn't showing any signs of shooting loose (to include shooting ammunition that might be ill advised)
Pulp
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The Remington does have a better sight picture than the Colts, at least in my opinion. The one I had many years ago was easier to shoot tight groups with than any Colt style I've had or have.
But that doesn't answer the actual question. Any one out there in the world have a Ransom rest and a gun of each style? Even that wouldn't answer the question, it would only prove which one of those two particular guns was most accurate.
BTW, mec, those are some mighty good groups.
But that doesn't answer the actual question. Any one out there in the world have a Ransom rest and a gun of each style? Even that wouldn't answer the question, it would only prove which one of those two particular guns was most accurate.
BTW, mec, those are some mighty good groups.
[email protected]
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I know when I started shooting in a club back in 1971, All I could afford was
a old brass frame .36 1851 Navy. I did a little work on that gun and shot it
for 3 years and won against all Rugers and Remys and in-line target pistols.
That pistol would shoot. If I remember correct, I shot 13 grs Black Powder
and cornmeal filler. Even won a state championship with it. That Colt design
will shoot accurate.
a old brass frame .36 1851 Navy. I did a little work on that gun and shot it
for 3 years and won against all Rugers and Remys and in-line target pistols.
That pistol would shoot. If I remember correct, I shot 13 grs Black Powder
and cornmeal filler. Even won a state championship with it. That Colt design
will shoot accurate.
Mike OTDP
Member
If you walk down the line at the World Muzzle-Loading Championships, you'll find Remingtons and Rogers & Spencer repros (for the Mariette match, that is). There's one guy that I know made an Adams repro. No Colts.
rmfnla
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Yes.
Gatofeo
Member
The late gun writer Elmer Keith, who learned to load cap and ball revolvers from Civil War veterans about 1912, wrote in his book, Sixguns:
"I had one .36 Navy Colt that had a pitted barrel, but ... it would cut clover leaves for its six shots at 20 yards, all day ..."
My 2nd generation Colt 1851 Navy isn't quite that good, but at 25 yards from a benchrest it will put six balls into a 2-1/2 circle if I take the time to load it carefully.
My Uberti-made Remington .44 will put six balls into 1-1/2 inch circle at 25 yards, from a benchrest.
I've done this with both guns numerous times, so it's no fluke.
But in the end, it must be remembered that each gun -- old or modern -- is an individual and some shoot better than others.
"I had one .36 Navy Colt that had a pitted barrel, but ... it would cut clover leaves for its six shots at 20 yards, all day ..."
My 2nd generation Colt 1851 Navy isn't quite that good, but at 25 yards from a benchrest it will put six balls into a 2-1/2 circle if I take the time to load it carefully.
My Uberti-made Remington .44 will put six balls into 1-1/2 inch circle at 25 yards, from a benchrest.
I've done this with both guns numerous times, so it's no fluke.
But in the end, it must be remembered that each gun -- old or modern -- is an individual and some shoot better than others.
tango2echo
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That's really, really, really good shooting. 1.5" at 25 yards would be impressive from most modern production DA revolvers.
t2e
sixshooter
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I am adding this to my list of personal mottos right next to "Why have one when you can have two for twice the price?"
My immediate sense of it, was that the Remington ( or similar Frame design ) would of course preclude any mechanical fittings that for wear or poor fit, could allow a rubbery or wandering relation between front and read Sights.
I believe it would be easy to inspect any candidate Revolver, to see is such looseness is present.
Hand size, Revolver weight also...probably figure in to the choices people make, when electing a Cap & Ball Revolver for competition events...as well as their appreciation or judgement about the kind of Frame or engineering design the Revolver has.
If a particular design Pistol is more natural and comfortable and steady in one's Hand, probably one will shoot better with it, than with one which is not as comfortable...whatever the Frame kind.
I believe it would be easy to inspect any candidate Revolver, to see is such looseness is present.
Hand size, Revolver weight also...probably figure in to the choices people make, when electing a Cap & Ball Revolver for competition events...as well as their appreciation or judgement about the kind of Frame or engineering design the Revolver has.
If a particular design Pistol is more natural and comfortable and steady in one's Hand, probably one will shoot better with it, than with one which is not as comfortable...whatever the Frame kind.
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