New member with new 1851!!

[Tennessean1942]

First post, so be gentle. I am new to BP and have read about them till my old eyes have sorta given out, but I took the plunge!! I ordered my Christmas present, an 1851 Navy (Pietta) in .44. It is steel frame and finished in "a rugged-look patina finish giving the appearance of a "well used" original. ". I think I'm going to love this thing ...

You can see it on Dixie Gun Works at:
http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_92_187_189&products_id=875

The (tiny) picture is at: http://www.dixiegunworks.com/images/RH0480.jpg

Anyhow, I'm glad to be here and, no I don't have a camera. Yet ...

 

[junkman_01]

Welcome. I hope you really enjoy your new revolver, but be advised that such a gun is not historically correct. The Colt Model 1851 Belt Pistol of Navy caliber was never originally made in .44 caliber. The NAVY part of it's name refers to the caliber which is .36. The ARMY caliber is .44. So any Model 1851 in .44 is a 'fantasy' gun. Have fun with it and make a lot of smoke.

 

[BigDaddyDave]

That is a beautiful looking piece you have there Tennessee. I am also a new member, and just purchased a Pietta 1858 Remington replica. I do have a question for you seasoned BP shooters:
I accidentally bought Triple 7 ffg, when the owners manual calls for fffg. Before I realized my mistake, I had already put 18 rounds through my gun. She performed great, no misfired or anything that would cause alarm, but should I be worried about damage I may have caused? Also, should I go purchase some fffg and turn my ffg into a rather expensive firework, or will I be ok shooting ffg with my little pistol?

Any knowledge or help regarding my small problem would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Lunie]

You'll hardly find a "gentler" place than the BP forum.

I'm certain you will enjoy your new shooter. Welcome!



As far as "FFg" and "FFFg" Triple Se7en...

The Pietta manual doesn't call out 777 as an acceptable sub powder. However, Hodgdon does have data for steel framed 1858 Remingtons. But you need to be careful, as you must use reduced loads compared to black powder or Pyrodex.

All that to say... When talking about real Black Powder, using FFg instead of FFFg is not dire in a cap and ball revolver. If anything, FFg will likely give slightly lower pressures and lower velocities than FFFg.

I personally would not worry about using the FFg 777. Just keep the charges low, as you should be doing with 777 anyway. How much have you been loading? (in grains, measured by volume)

 

[DoubleDeuce 1]

Welcome.
I hope you enjoy your new revolver. They are fun.

I have to agree with Junkman on the caliber being a fantasy. The Uberti Navy a little farther up the list for Dixie is a good revolver. A lot of people have and enjoy the Pietta offerings. I have some Uberti and Colt revolvers, and enjoy the daylights out of them.

The main thing is to have fun.

 

[BigDaddyDave]

@Lunie
"I personally would not worry about using the FFg 777. Just keep the charges low, as you should be doing with 777 anyway. How much have you been loading? (in grains, measured by volume)"

My first 6 shots were loaded 20 grains. The next 12 shots were fired with a 25 grain load. Was that a mistake to increase my load?

 

[Lunie]

@Lunie
"I personally would not worry about using the FFg 777. Just keep the charges low, as you should be doing with 777 anyway. How much have you been loading? (in grains, measured by volume)"

My first 6 shots were loaded 20 grains. The next 12 shots were fired with a 25 grain load. Was that a mistake to increase my load?

Check out this page for 777 info. http://www.hodgdon.com/tripleseven.html
In particular, the "DATA" page. http://www.hodgdon.com/PDF/muzzleloading_manual_2008.pdf?CHECKBOX_1=on

Down at the bottom of the DATA pages, there is info for the 1858 (Steel Framed) Remington. It shows data for both 20 and 25 grs. of FFFg 777. Of course, follow your own conscience, but I would feel that 25 grains is just fine. As always, make sure the ball seats firmly on the charge, as air gaps can be dangerous. If using loads that are too small, the rammer may not have enough travel to fully seat the ball.



To Tennessean1942 (and others):

It can be hard to locate sometimes, but I personally recommend real black powder. There are several brands you might find, like GOEX, Graf's, Scheutzen, Swiss, etc.

Even if you start out using subs like Pyrodex, I'd suggest you try "Holy Black" at least once. You'll (almost certainly) be glad you did.

To all:

Stay safe, and have fun!

 

[Hellgate]

Tennesseean,
I have a pair of 44 "Navies". They are some of the first guns I bought for Cowboy Action Shooting (back in 1993). They are still my "serious match" guns (that I use when I am dead serious about doing my best). They also have the fast handling of the Navy with the knockdown of the 44s. To me they are the best of both worlds (Army vs Navy Colts). Have fun, I've put a ton of ammo through mine and they are still going strong.

 

[Busyhands94]

Welcome to the wonderful sport of blackpowder shooting! You will most certainly enjoy it!

I know .44 "navies" aren't historically correct, and may be prone to stretching but if it shoots and you enjoy it then it's serving it's purpose just fine! I am toying with the idea of buying an 1851 Colt Sheriff brass framed gun, I don't care if they were never made like that. I think it would be absolutely fun and that's all that matters to me!

~Levi

 

[junkman_01]

Levi,

The OP said he has a STEEL framed Colt '51. It isn't prone to stretching if used with loads it was designed for.