Dang it.... Wrong Powder for 1851 brasser.

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Analogkid said:
Help...

I was gifted a nib 1851 Pietta brass frame 44 revolver a few days ago.

I went to the local Fun store that I knew carried BP supplies and asked to be shown what I needed to fire it. The manual was with the gun and I showed it to the guy at the gun counter and he helped me gather up what I would need. Powder, ox yoke wads/patches, grease and caps and Balls

Unfortunately now that I spent time surfing around it looks like the powder isn't correct or is too hot for the revolver. He handed me Hodgdon's Triple 7 fffg From what I am reading this is too hot for it. Unfortunately they will not take returns so I am on the lookout for the correct FFFG powder that will work in the gun.

What powder do I actually need to get for it? Im already out $27 for this powder. Id like to make sure I get the correct stuff. It states in the manual the charge should be from 12 to 15 grains of fffg. The triple 7 states its FFFG but apparently it is too hot? And also is the proper loading like this?. Charge of powder, wad, ball and then grease? I see guys talking about fillers and not sure if I need that or what. I'd really like to keep the gun intact as well as my fingers. Any help would be fantastic!
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I use 15 grains of 777 in my brass framed 51 and it's about the same as 20 grains of fffg, shouldn't have any problems with it. I would recommend some wonder wads or some other lubricating pad/wad with it to keep the fouling loose for ease of cleaning, it can be a real bugger otherwise.
 
TOOT44 said:
I am in RI. and I get my black powder GOEX at FOSTER BEAR ARMS in FOSTER, RI. he has plenty of it, toot.
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Bulls eye supply in Woonsocket when I run short of something. Local gun shops unfortunately have to add so much money to a pound of powder, or a tin of caps, that it is advantageous for me to buy 20 lbs at a time on line. Same for caps. I know this will raise eyebrows, support your local gun store and all that, but I shoot a lot and its my dollar.

Rhode Island for all its size seems to have more gun shops that stock black powder supplies than other states. I can only compare to Florida, my area, where most gun shops don't.
 
WHUGHETT, roger that. for a small state we have about maybe 60 or so gun shoppes that carry a diverse selection of goods. with all of the rules and limits we are truly blessed count our blessings.
 
When I got this. I really didn't look it over since it was Never fired. And free. Unfortunately it has ton of slop forward and rearward in the cylinder. It ends up with about .029" cylinder gap at the forcing cone. I'm sure that's way too much. I have handled some new ones at the local fun store and they don't have near that much.

I guess it's a pre stretched frame. :(
 
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That is way too much. Is the recoil shield in good shape?

If nothing else you may have a parts gun to sell or keep...
 
Analogkid said:
Yes. It has never been fired.
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Wow! I've not read of one being so sloppy right out of the box. It seemed it must have been fired with heavy loads to be that bad...

I'm wondering if the frame could be modified to take up the slack, though it may not be worth the effort unless you can do it yourself or have a friend that can for a 12 pack.
 
Looks like new replacement frames are cheap enough to see if that fixes it. If not I'll probably fire up the Bridgeport and see if I can relieve the rear of the wedge slot in the cylinder pin and build up the front of the wedge slot (or shim it.)
 
Analogkid said:
Looks like new replacement frames are cheap enough to see if that fixes it. If not I'll probably fire up the Bridgeport and see if I can relieve the rear of the wedge slot in the cylinder pin and build up the front of the wedge slot (or shim it.)
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At some point Pietta retooled. A newer frame may not work.

I bought various screws and springs for my 2013 Pietta Remington NMA and found one part out of maybe ten fit.
 
Analogkid said:
When I got this. I really didn't look it over since it was Never fired. And free. Unfortunately it has ton of slop forward and rearward in the cylinder. It ends up with about .029" cylinder gap at the forcing cone. I'm sure that's way too much. I have handled some new ones at the local fun store and they don't have near that much.

I guess it's a pre stretched frame. :(
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I wouldd send it to the Goon, he most likely can set it up to function correctly.
 
I have on stock and use Goex and Swiss and Graf BP, but it is getting harder to find, so I save it for serious stuff (reloading BP .45 LC and hunting or target practice). Otherwise, for plinking and just fun, I load up on Pyrodex at the close of deer season at the local wally world when it and percussion caps are on clearance sale.
 
rodwha said:
At some point Pietta retooled. A newer frame may not work.

I bought various screws and springs for my 2013 Pietta Remington NMA and found one part out of maybe ten fit.
Click to expand...
So, basically we get to do it the way they did when these were modern; trial and hand fitting.
 
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