Noob Info Needed

[docfubar]

I just got my first bp revolvers today. What I need is info from you old pros on a good load to begin with. I have 2 1858 uberti Remingtons in 44. Do I use black powed or pyrodex: if I use pyrodex do I use powder or the pellets. What size ball and what size cap?

Any help would be great on the above mentioned and also on what additional supplies I will need( I know I need a nipple puller, and a capper).

Thanks much in advance guys.

 

[mhdishere]

The directions that came with the guns should tell the round ball size, .454 seems right to me. Probably regular #11 caps. Use either FFFg BP or Pyrodex P (for pistol). When you load make sure the ball is on the powder, no air space, then put some grease (like Crysco) over the ball to prevent chain firing (it never happened to me, but I'm told it's quite a wake up if it happens).

You'll also need a nipple wrench and pick. I found I got more reliable ignition if I ran a pick thru the nipple just before I capped.

It's been a while since I shot my cap-n-ball revolvers, so I don't recall how much powder I used.

Then there's the whole issue of cleaning, which has been discussed on this board ad nauseum. Suffice to say, clean the thing as soon as you're done shooting.

Have fun!

 

[mcneill]

The rule of thumb for black powder (in cap-and-ball revolvers) is to use half the amount of powder as the caliber of the pistol. For a .44 cal you would use 22 grains of powder. I usually round that off and use 25 grains for ease of measuring - likewise I use 20 grains in my .36 caliber guns.

Jim

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

The 58 Remington is a good choice.The pyro pelleys for the 44 are 30 grains
which I've found to be a tad "stout" for just shooting for fun.Find what load is most accurate but keep it at or below 30gr.The lubed wonderwads work well to help keep the bore clean.Load powder,seat wad then seat the ball.
Check the archive for posts by Gatofeo,he's a blackpowder pistolero and has posted some good beginners tips.Beware,blackpowder shooting IS addictive,but in a good way...

 

[Mark whiz]

You've gotten good advice so far.

the 1858 will shoot a max charge of 30gr of 3fg black powder, which is where my pistol likes it. 30gr of Pyro P or the 30gr "P" pellets will also get the job done. But my most accurate load is with 27gr of the new 3fg Triple Seven powder. Triple Seven is more powerful than either black or Pyro so the charges have to be reduced by 10% or more, so 27gr is a max charge.
I also prefer the 777 powder because it is MUCH easier to clean up than the others - so it's the best of both worlds between power & cleanliness.

Black Powder IS cheaper to use when you can find it and if you just like LOTS of smoke then black is what you want.

You can plan on using .454" round balls in it. I also recommend the use of lubed wads between the powder & ball as well as a lube such as bore butter or Grease patch over the top of the ball - this keeps the bore lubed and the chance of chain-fires practically eliminated.

 

[Gatofeo]

Never heard of the formula of half the caliber, converted to grains, as a loading guide. Seems rather weak to me.
I regularly use 22 to 24 grains in my .36 Navy, 30 grains in my Remington .36, 35 grains in my Colt .44 and 40 grains in my Remington .44.
These are full loads but then, I've found best accuracy with loads that were full or nearly so.

I rarely use lubricant over the seated ball. Instead, I use a well-greased felt wad seated on the powder, followed by the ball. This shoots much cleaner than the method of smearing the lubricant over the ball.

You may buy Wonder Wads but don't use them as-is. In my experience, their dry lubricant is lacking. Soak them in some melted Crisco or Bore Butter before shooting. My favorite lubricant is 200 grams of paraffin, 200 grams of mutton tallow and 100 grams of beeswax, melted together. I've posted details on this recipe elsewhere in this site.

Search for cap and ball comments under ny name: Gatofeo. I've posted quite a bit in here on how to best load a cap and ball revolver.
I'm too old, grumpy and lazy to type it all over again ...

 

[docfubar]

I want to thank everyone who has given me advice, you are all great.

Went out today and had a BLAST!!! I am hooked bigger then SH**. It was just awesome and clean up is so easy. I have already decided to buy my wife a .36 bp revolver. My 7y/o even liked the smoke.

Thanks again everyone.

 

[Edgeofthewoods]

Yup BP Revolver is addicting as all get out!!!. I have a .44 Pietta Remington NMA (Some folks call it a 1858) I have lost track of the number of rounds that old gun has had through it. No major failure except for a stupid on that was my fault. I loand the gun to a friend who wanted to try BP shooting. He ran out of the 20 or so round ball and tried to load a 185 SWC .45 Wad cutter. The first 6 went in he said and the gun was no worse for the wear. On the 2nd cylinder those hard bullets and his being stupid caused the hinge pin on the loading lever to break. Last time I loaned a gun to a friend or anyone else with out me being there. Now for loads I have used the P pellets but I really don't like em much except that they load real fast . I have 2 pet loads for mine. The first is 34 grains of FFFg with a homemade wad on a .454 ball. This is a reach out and touch some one load. . To impress folks I have a 200 grain Lee conical on top of 30 grains of FFFg no wad and beeswax/olive oil as to fill the grease groves. This is very accurate in MY gun. But I squeeze a bit more of a heel on to the bullets when sizing. This makes em load straight and eaiser. I do like the round ball better I lose some energy from the lighter bullet but in the long run the round ball does more damage.The Conical does the job but I don't get the expansion of the round balll.

Dividing the caliber n half is a good start to working up a good load. It took a few sessions with my NMA to get is good target and a good hunting load. 40 grains would shoot but I had a lot of smoke recoil and no accuracy. And a real dirty gun. 34-35 puts the ball where I want it and it has more than enough omph. Pryodex does have more power behind it for the volume of charge, but I just don't like it as much. I hate the sharp report. It doesn't have the nice BOOM that I like. But YMMV in this some folks live by Pryodex others like me stick to the old charcol sulfur and saltpeter mix. Have fun and make lots fo smoke.

Chuck