First CB Revolver...a few questions.

[TnShooter83]

I got a Pietta in a trade this weekend. I traded off the 12ga Reloader for
a Pietta - 1862 Colt Police. It is a .36 cal.

I've been reading up on the loading process.
Please correct me here. I've read 2 different ways.
One involves using a 365 ball, and a patch.
The other is to use a .375 ball, and Lube/Grease the top after loading?
Apparently the wad take the place of the grease to prevent Chain firing?
Also one places calls for 15 grains of FFFg, and the other 20 grains
of FFFg?

Would this method be fine?

1. Pour measured powder in cylinder...15gr?
2. Place a .375 ball in cylinder, and compress until it stop/ seats
3. Lube the reminder on cylinder with Bore Butter ect.
4. Place caps on nipple
5. Fire....I hope

Excuse my ignorance, as I have never shot CB revolvers.
I've never even shot any BP for that matter.

 

[Reddbecca]

Not sure about the bore diameter. Also not sure about the powder charge, each is supposed to fit a different set of circumstances.

From what I understand, loading a C&B revolver goes like this: pour the pre-measured charge of BLACK POWDER into the chambers, place a lubricated patch in over the charge, seat a lead ball and force in, checking to see if their are lead shavings around the cylinder to be sure of a snug fit.

 

[DixieTexian]

That's a good way to do it. You can also put a wonder wad between the ball and powder if you don't want to mess with bore butter. Bore butter is like water in the Texas summer, so the wads work better. You should see a thin, but complete, ring of lead shaved off from loading the ball to tell if it is the right size.

 

[dwave]

Welcome to the wonderful world of Black Powder!

Alright, 1st off, NEVER use a patched roundball in a revolver (a lubed wad made for revolvers is OK but NO patch), that is for single shots only. You will need the .375 or .380 roundball. I use a .380, but I have a mold for them. Your loading process is fine though.

My load for my .36 Pietta navy is 15 gr. 777. 20 grs. of blackpowder will work, but I have found that 15 grs. (of Goex BP) is more accurate in my gun. Play around, start with 15 and see how it goes, then work up and see. Big thing is to make sure that the bullet is seated against the BP, no air gaps between bullet and powder, that would be bad. Grease over the ball, or you could use what I do, and that is lube pills (they are loaded under the ball, over the powder). Here is a link for you about the lube pills:

100 shots with lube pills

Getting started though, the grease will be fine. Final tip, make sure that your caps are on tight. A loose cap can come off and create a chainfire. I have had it happen to me. A cap came off and I didn't see it, BOOM two chambers at once.

Anyways, you have the load order right.

1. Powder
2. Seat ball
3. Grease
4. Cap
5. Enjoy!

 

[TnShooter83]

Thanks for the Help.
Now this may seem funny/dumb.
But my older neighbor said he used to shoot them years ago.
He said he used Crisco as the grease.......
Yeah.....Crisco cooking grease, logically I can't see it hurting any thing.
But than again what do I know?

 

[dwave]

I have used crisco, it works, but a bit messy. Did you read my post on the lube pills? 50% crisco in them, and 50% beeswax.

EDIT: If your neighbor has shot them before, ask him if he would go out with you and shoot, that would probably help you out.

 

[TnShooter83]

He just couldn't remember what balls, and powder type ect.
And getting him out of the house is hard. He's 85 and pretty
intent on staying there.....If you know what I mean.
He actually ask me what I wanted to shoot a CB for,
And said they made self contain cartridges for a reason.
Nice guy, but pretty opinionated. Typical grumpy old man syndrome must have got him.

BTW, I'm only 23 and and he calls me KID.

 

[Timthinker]

TnShooter83, I too would like to welcome you to the world of BP. There is nothing like it in the firearms world, in my opinion. Shoot safely and you will learn to love it as well.

Speaking of safety, I would like share an experience some of our other members may relate to. When I loaded my first BP revolver, I used a felt wad, an oversized ball and a lube sealant to secure each chamber. These precautions made me feel safe against the possibility of a multiple discharge. I practised these precautions and never experienced a chainfire. I hope this helps. Good luck and shoot safely.


Timthinker

 

[dwave]

Don't forget the caps! Tight fitting, if a cap falls of, a chain fire can happen. Only chain fire I have ever had was from a cap that fell off.

 

[TnShooter83]

Thanks for the Welcome, and for the pointer on the caps.
So would it be safe to "squeeze" the sides a bit to secure them?
Or would it cause a malfunction else where down the road.
I couldn't see how, unless it some how loosened the actual powder in the cap.
Which I can't see the need to squeeze it that tight to do so.

Thanks again.
Just wanting to keep it safe, and learn to shoot the right way.
Not what I think is the right way.

 

[dwave]

Yes, you can squeeze the caps to make them tight, that is what I do.

 

[.50cal]

Please read >> Black Powder Essentials << post at the begining of the forum if you are new to cap & ball revolvers it will help out alot.

 

[Jamie C.]

BTW, I'm only 23 and and he calls me KID.

Well, I'm only 44 and I figure anybody under 30 is a "kid"... Can't imagine what my opinion will be when I'm in my 80s.
( Remember, your neighbor was what you'd consider "old" before you were even born... Have a little sympathy for those of us who've been stuck here since way before you were even thought of, much less born. )

As for the rest.. Crisco is okay, and others have given you good advice on the rest. Just be careful, and have fun learning something new, and maybe you'll live to be an "old codger" too.


J.C.

 

[SASS#23149]

don't forget that black powder is weghed by VOLUME wehreas smokeless is by weight.Be sure to use a bp measure for the loads.
and wear safety glasses,those hot flying embers are can be nasty,especially IF she chain fires.

Enjoy the smoke and fire.

 

[Omnivore]

And keep the gun lubed to the extreme. As the fouling gets in all the moving parts, it will become very hard to cock the hammer/rotate the cylinder, especially if its a new gun. Lots of lube (bore butter or olive oil is what I use, but there are plenty of choices) will keep the fouling loose and prevent tying up the action. It also makes cleaning a bit easier. Keep the nipples clean on the ends for best reliability. Clean nipples rersult in 100% firing on a clean gun, but dirty ones can result in misfires as the hammer is compressing the goo and seating the cap, instead of impacting the priming compound.

Learn to take the gun completely apart for cleaning once in a while. The fouling is corrosive and it gets everywhere. I completely disassemble my revolver every few cleanings (down to the last screw). It takes some doing, but gets easier each time. Having a spare set of screws is a good idea, too. I've had them fall out at the range.

When done cleaning, if you've used water, bake the metal parts 10 150 degrees for a while to completely dry it out, then lube completely.