Load Question-1851 Sheriff

[Packman]

Hey folks,

So, my1858 Remington New Army was lonely. So, I figured it needed a friend, and an 1851 Confederate Navy Sheriff in 5 inch barrel with a brass frame came home a couple weeks back.

I opted for that one for a couple reasons. One, it's a different design, which I liked the idea of. Two, I liked the shorter barrel. Three, it was $150 from Cabelas, and I'm a poor college student. Cheap is good.

So, I took it to the range last week. Hopefully it'll go out again this Thursday.

Here's what I've noticed: Design-wise, the Remington is a WAY more advanced design. MUCH easier to disassemble, easier to load, stronger, etc. However, I was WAY more accurate with the short barrel on the 1851. At a guess, I'm attributing this to loads.

I'm shooting Pyrodex RS, FFg. I know, it's rifle powder. Don't harrass me. I have some issues with the local gunshop over my age. Walmart knows better, so I buy from them, even though they only stock the Rifle powder. It works well enough. Come November my problems with the gunshop are moot.

Anyway, I loaded the 1858 with 25 grains Pyrodex RS, lubed wad, .454 ball. Groups were in the 6-7 inch range at the 7 yard line.

I loaded the 1851 with 15 grains Pyrodex RS, then 15 grains cornmeal, lubed wad, .454 ball. Groups were more like 3-4 inches. Still not great, but better. However, this brings me to the point of my post. What loads would you guys recommend for this gun to bring accuracy up? Base all of this on Pyrodex RS. I know, not the best. It's what I can get right now, so it's what I'm going to use.

I'll post pics in a few minutes.

Thanks! Packman.

 

[Packman]

Ok, pictures. The first is the 1851 grouping. The second is the 1858. All targets are 12 inch paper plates, shot from 7 yards, using a six o'clock hold. (See the dot on the bottom.) Arrows indicate "up".

 

[Hezekiah]

Packman, do not sweat the rifle powder thing! It is just not ground as finely. Here is a good resources for you for load data with BP. I too have an 1858 Remmie and load 30-35 grains with no problem. Try shooting from a rest to establish your accuracy. How do you like that Sheriff model? It sure is a good looker! Good luck!!
Hez
http://goexpowder.com/images/LoadCharts/RB-Pistol-Revolvers.pdf

 

[Packman]

Hezekiah, Thanks for the link. I've been meaning to try out a rest for a while, I'll get to it one of these days.

I realllly like the Sheriff. If you get the chance to pick on up, I'd do it. I like the balance a lot. Shooting it with the load I described, 15 grains powder, 15 cornmeal, wad and ball, it doesn't recoil much more than my 22 Bearcat. Granted, it also weighs twice as much...

In terms of ease of use, the 1858 whoops the 1851's butt. The sheriff model is kind of a pain to load, because you give up a lot of leverage on the loading lever. Also, the dovetail is sharp. My hand is all dinged up from the dovetail. I got a short section of PVC pipe I'm going to play with next range trip as a loading lever extension. The 1851 is kind of a pain to disassemble, at least the first time. Now that I know what I'm doing it's not that bad, but still not as easy as the 1858.

HOWEVER- the 1851 has essentially NO gap between the cylinder and barrel. The 1858 blasts residue back over the cylinder, making a huge mess. The 1851 doesn't do this at all.I suspect that's partly why it's a little more accurate than the 1858.

Balance is nice with the 1851. It sits further back in your hand compared to the long barrel on the 1858.

I like 'em both. You should get one if you get a chance.

 

[Hezekiah]

Packman, I guess that's why when they killed "bloody Bill" Anderson, they found six revolvers on his body! They realized what a pain in the butt removing the wedge, barrel, etc was! I wish I could afford that many, lol
Hez

 

[Prairie Dawg]

You will find that an 1858 binds up as the cylinder pin gets coated with lots of fouling.
This does not happen with Colt designed revolvers.
Make your self a rammer extension & get all the leverage you need.
I drilled a hole in an old ML short-starter -- works great.
Or use a cylinder loader like the one sold at Powder Inc.
http://www.powderinc.com/cgi-bin/bp...ge&thispage=cyl_loader.htm&ORDER_ID=167911623
Yes you have to take the cylinder oujt to use it, but that's easy to do & you can wipe down the fouled parts.
Cap guns typically shoot better with light loads.
See if you can get some good 3Fg black powder like Shuetzen--go in with some pards & buy a case.

 

[TheWall]

I also got my 1851 Sheriff from Cabela's earlier this year. My sale price was even better: $119!!! Could not pass that up!

I have been using about 18 grains of 3FG Goex and she seems to like it.