I have a dream.... BP revolver

[1858remington]

I have a dream BP revolver. With all these X-frame smiths, and other modern hand cannons, why not one in black powder.

Picture if you will, a 5 shot BP revolver in .50cal that handles 100grs of powder, and uses maxiballs as projectiles.

Better yet 5 shots in .69cal, or .72cal, with a powder charge capibility to make the 500 smith wimper.

I would buy a handgun like this, who wouldn't?

Especially if it was afordable.

If they can make bigger, more powerfull cartridge guns, then why not do so with Black Powder.

There hasn't been a new BP revlover design in a long time. And no revolver currently made crosses over the 44/45 cal size.

Please someone (uberti, pietta, pedisoli, and ect.) make my dream reality.

 

[arcticap]

It all sounds so appealing, but then there is reality. The chambers would have to be pretty long, like the Thunder revolver that shoots the .410 shotshells and weighs 5 lbs. The other issue might be just how much recoil would the other loads in the cylinder be able to withstand while under fire without budging and dislodging the maxiballs away from being properly seated
on top of the powder? Also, how much barrel length would it take to completely burn all that powder? The amount of fouling may become too heavy as well. I have a long (12-14 inch compensated) barreled Traditions single shot hunter in .45 cal. that only recommends the use of 80 grs. of powder max. I have seen a civil war era .50-70 BPC Remington Rolling Block rifle being shot and the load seemed pretty potent. While I can't imagine shooting a .50-100 equivalent in a pistol, you may be able to handle it. Since everything your dream is about may be possible, it's up to somebody like you to make "The Dream" a reality.

 

[falkon]

I think the bigger the frame the better. Why the hell not?

 

[ColonelFlashman]

Ever hear of the .577 Boxer pistole cartridge for the .577 Webley & Tranter Solid frame revolvers?

 

[c_yeager]

Picture if you will, a 5 shot BP revolver in .50cal that handles 100grs of powder, and uses maxiballs as projectiles.

There is a gentleman that converts Ruger Old Armies into this exact weapon. A member here (Fiveshooter) had this done to a gorgeous stainless example and was very impressed. Here is a thread with some nice pictures:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=110247&highlight=Ruger

 

[Navy joe]

Get a BFR in .45-70. Load BP loads. Rejoice in the wall of smoke.

 

[arcticap]

Fiveshooter built a masterpiece, but he lists the powder charge @ 50 grs.
I also saw how formidable the .577 cartridge is that's listed on the other thread, 450 gr. bullet seems huge.

 

[Magnum88C]

You do realize that you CAN load .500 S&W, .475 Linebaugh, .480 Ruger, etc with BP if you really want to, and have to have it over .45 cal. If you're willing to go with a .45 cal, the aforementioned BFR in .45-70 with BP loads would be your ticket.

 

[1858remington]

I was trying to stay away from a cartridge gun, and go with the traditional BP gun with a rammer.

I want a BP monster that anyone can buy from say Dixie gun works, and have shipped to their house without all the paperwork BS that comes with a cartridge gun.

All the modern cap & ball revolvers now days are replica's of some older gun design, and with all the advances in metals, and gun design, no company seems interested in offering a NEW option for us soot shooters.

Modern gun companies are working on bigger and more powerfull revolvers, like the Smith and Wesson 500, but non have tapped into the BP market in the same way. You'd think they would, Because we americans like our Big monster guns no matter what form they come in. Also, black powder is less paperwork involved then modern guns, and therefore they stand to save cash because less work is needed to get the product to the customer.

These companies could make a light BP monster that handles rifle loads, but instead we the consumer seem to be limited to mirrors of the past.

 

[Cap n Ball]

If it didn't draw attention of gun grabbers to try to put restrictions on BP firearms. Sure, I'd like to see some modern developments other than in-lines and such. There have been only one or two murders in the US that were commited using antique or replica guns during the 50 or so years the BATF has been keeping records but statistics that do not support the gun control freaks aims are ignored. Larger caliber BP firearms would surely draw attention and then we'd be fighting for not only modern guns but antique ones as well. Perhaps it's best that we leave well enough alone and keep 'putting lead on target the old fashioned way'?

 

[Third_Rail]

That's a cop out - so no.

I too would like to see large caliber BP revolvers.

 

[c_yeager]

I wouldnt define a stainless steel Ruger Old Army with adjustable sights a replica of anything. Yes, it vaguely resmbles your namesake, but the resmblence is only cosmetic.

 

[Gatofeo]

Nahhhh ... I wouldn't want to see a .50 revolver.
Can't see the use of it.
Okay, mebbe for hunting deer and black bear butI don't believe it would be right to tackle elk, moose or big bear with it.
I know it would draw a lot of testosterone-fueld, swaggering types at the range --- who would snort derisively at a Colt Walker as puny. And laugh at an 1851 Navy.
Even today, those with .44 Magnums are snorted at by jacklegs with .454s and larger revolvers.
I'd rather go the other direction, when it comes to cap and ball revolvers.
I wish someone would make a good quality, stainless steel Remington in .36 caliber with adjustable sights. What a great small game revolver that would be!
Oh, and not just ANY adjustable sights. I don't like Patridge sights. I'd rather have them outfit it with a more classic bead front sight and U-shaped rear sight, with nothing more than a screw to raise, lower and traverse it. Something that looked like it belonged on a 19th century gun, not some garish Patridge sight with big wings and a tall, ramped front sight.
I have a Colt Officers Model Target .38 revolver with a U rear sight and bead front. It's great. At 25 yards, Patridge sights are just too big to make a fine, precise shot on a rabbit or grouse's head, or a tin can for that matter.
I know that others do fine work with Patridge sights but I've never much cared for them. They seem oversized for the general area you want to slip the bullet into.

 

[mec]

that 50 kind of stands on its own. We had it at an Arkansas shoot at the first of april and several of us shot it with the 250 grain custom mould Semi Wadcutter. Several people shot it at 25 yards and it went through several hands before I fired two shots at 50 and missed with one of them

The real corker was a guy named Jimmy P. who went five for five on an 8x10: metal swinger at 60 yards. This deal is powerful enough for medium-big game and has the advantage of not even being a firearm in several jurisdictions.