My new Remington 1858 comments and questions

[coppermouse]

Just got my stainless 1858 Army model. I love it!!! plus 2 extra cylinders.
It is much easier to clean than my navy
The manual kinda sucks. It lists the loads as 12-15 grains.
What loads do you guys use. I used 35 gr of fffg.
Is there some type of device available for loading the cylinders outside of the gun, like a press? I was thinking of making one but wanted to see if one is available. What is the best powder measure you guys recommend? Right now I have a 357 shell cut to length soldered to a coat hanger to use as a scoop.

It is not obvious to me how to adjust the elevation (it has adjustable sights). Windage was not a problem.

 

[denster]

Really nice looking gun. To answer some of your questions. Ignore the 12-15Gr note. You wouldn't even be able to seat the ball with the rammer on that light a load. Best load in the .44 will be around 25 to 30gr fff with a .451 ball in the Pietta's. Your 35gr is about all you can get in and still seat a ball. Yes there are presses available. Go back several posts and you will find one on the tripple P loader which unfortunately is not available but the thread covers some of the better presses. These are the way to go with multiple cylinders. A lot of folks use a lubed wad or grease cookie between the ball and powder. Some believe in it some don't but try it and see what works best for you. Part of the fun of the game. Congrats on getting a fine gun.

 

[denster]

The large screw in front of the sight blade notch is used for elevation. There are also good adjustable powder meqsures available.

 

[coppermouse]

Which powder measure would you say is best?

 

[rcflint]

Cylinder loading stand...

http://www.biglube.com/BulletMolds.aspx?ItemID=1302742a-9e12-41e5-881f-f99340c6d9e6

 

[Mike OTDP]

15 grains is about right for a target load. Use Cream of Wheat as a filler on top of the powder.

My own 25 yard match load stands at 12 grains...up from the 9 grain load I used for years.

 

[coppermouse]

I can't stop shooting it I love this thing. Here is a target I just shot.
Interested in a powder measure. Is there a such thing as a 6 cylinder powder measure?

 

[Oyeboten]

One usually elects a Spout for the Powder Flask, which will hold the size charge one wants.

It is also possible to modify or shorten a Spout, to arrive at the charge.


Get a Flask, and, some extra Spouts.


For modern era Flasks, spouts all seem to have the same Thread, so, very easy to use different SPouts from whatever ths Flask came with.

 

[coppermouse]

Thanks for the advice, I will check into that. I had planned to change the oil in my truck, but can't stop shooting

 

[denster]

Glad to see you have your priorites in order. Good shooting by the way.

 

[GENTLEMAN OF THE CHARCOAL]

Nice looking revolver. My standard load for a Remington Pietta 1858 New Model Army is 30 grains of Triple Seven 3fff, .451 swaged round lead balls, and Remington #10 percussion caps. NOW, see here. That is a mighty warm load but the revolver will burn and the load will NOT hurt it at all. I'vd used that load for years and have never even had so much as a screw vibrate loose. ONE MORE THING.. IF you want to you can move the powder load up and bring the revolver on line with a .44-40..I know you can do this because I done it with one of my Remington Uberti .44 caliber Cattleman's Carbines. Handles the load like it was made for it.. NO problems. If I had even had the beginning of a problem I would have stopped and I would be sure to tell you right here on this post. I am talking strictly blued steel here. I'm sure the stainless is just as tough although you may need to get with other people on here about that. I do own a stainless with fixed sights but have only fired it 6 times ie 30 grains of Triple Seven 3fff, .451 swaged round lead balls, and Remington #10 percussion caps..Good luck and put a lot of meat on the table , man....

 

[denster]

I agree with GOC. 777 works really good as long as you don't compress it but just a little bit. 30gr and a .451rb is my groundhog roller. For target shooting and plinking I drop back to 20gr.

 

[Chasing Crow]

Yep, get a pistol flask with the charging tip you settle on. You will get to loading very quickly with a little practice. I use a wonder wad over powder,under .451 round ball.

 

[MCgunner]

A cheap reloading press that works for me......

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=00139A1309

There are better ones for more money. This one has held up pretty well so far. I'm happy with it. I'd like to have one I could change out to .31 caliber, but my two normal revolvers are both .44s.

 

[Smokepole14]

This is the powder measure i use its a CVA with a spout on the top. so far its worked great for me. The load i use is 30g 3fff of pyrodex p, lubed wad, 454 round ball, and remington #10 caps. As far as a loading lever i never seen the need of one.

 

[arcticap]

Beautiful gun and target.
But then for the price the gun should be both fun & accurate!
The loading press from Powder, Inc. has been highly recommended.

http://www.powderinc.com/cgi-bin/bp...ge&thispage=cyl_loader.htm&ORDER_ID=183725641

 

[Hellgate]

Buy a powder flask (cylindricals are nice but the Remington style holds more powder) and an assortment of spouts: 20, 25, 30, 35grs. I also have a 15 (Navy 36cal) 23, 27, 40, & 44 (last two for the Walkers & Dragoon).

 

[madcratebuilder]

Is there a such thing as a 6 cylinder powder measure?

A five cylinder in this photo, must be Swedish.



That is a nice shooting revolver you have. Try different charges from 15grs on up in 5 gr increments. You well find a range that the revolver likes best. Probably in the 20-25gr area.

 

[Oyeboten]

I have an older 'Uberti' Stainless Remington Revolver, and I have been very happy with it.

On first firing it, one of my first questions was "What took me so long to get one???"

Really nice in every way.

 

[Palehorseman]

I have the blued Remmy .44 Pietta target. Most accurate RB target load for me is 17 grains 3F with one dry OP fiber wad and one well lubed under RB.



Target is with two cylinders from first go, 25 yards at rest off the hood of K5 Jimmy. The two outliers were sighting/adjustment shots, other 8 ripped center out. Not the best pic, but was so proud of it couldn't resist for the record.

 

[[email protected]]

That is a very, very good target, No not good GREAT!! Glad to see somebody
using the right stuff. Keep it up. Try some one had also.

 

[Oldfalguy]

Great target-
Got an observation-
I was over at the powderinc website and noticed the GOEX powder lineup
showed that 3F was for rifle and 2F for pistol.
Just wondering why this is so?
I need to go see what I have in my BP box.

 

[arcticap]

3F is a finer granulation intended for pistols and smaller caliber rifles. It burns cleaner and produces more velocity with a smaller powder charge. So it's a more efficient powder to use in pistols although 2F will also work.
A volume equivalent of 3F may be 10% less than 2F.

 

[WALKERs210]

If you were shooting close to 50,000 rounds a year then it might be listed as ok. But as most rarely shoot more than 100 rounds a month, and not every month, I thing your grouping was good. If I can at least stay on the paper target regardless of size then I'm happy.

 

[BP pistol hunter]

I hunt in Florida with an 1858 Pietta stainless steel bison revolver with a 12 inch barrel. My hunting load is 35 gr of 777, a wad and a .454 ball. This load chronographs out of my 12 inch barrel at a very conservative 1200fps / 450lbs and extremely accurate. Last season I harvested a 65 lb wild boar and it was a one shot instant kill at 30 yards. I have shot up to 40 gr of 777 with a massive increase in velocity and energy with no ill effect to gun or shooter but the accuracy diminishes to unacceptable hunting levels. These loads were above the max recommended loads but were safe in my gun. I stress do not exceed your manufacturer's max load! DO NOT TRY THIS LOAD ON A BRASS FRAME COLT OR REMINGTON!!! FRAME DAMAGE MAY OCCUR! 777 is powerful stuff treat it with respect!