Pyrodex Pellets in a Cap and Ball Revolver?

[ezypikns]

I had an 1851 Navy (.44) by Traditions (Pietta) and I was told NOT to shoot Prodex pellets in it. I was told that the only cap and ball revolver strong enough to shoot the pellets wa a Ruger Old Army. Comments? Opinions?

Thanks

 

[Mark whiz]

The 30gr pellets will work in a cap & ball. I have used them in my Brass-framed 1858 but didn't really care for the results though. The pellets are 2fg grade and these pistols really work better with 3fg (pyro P).

 

[ArmedBear]

I've used them in a Uberti 1858 NMA replica. Worked fine. Seemed like a lot of recoil, but other than that, worked just like Pyrodex powder.

They're expensive. I just use a flask normally, but bought a jar of the pellets because the store was out of everything else and I wanted to try out a new gun.

 

[mykeal]

the only cap and ball revolver strong enough to shoot the pellets wa a Ruger Old Army

Utter nonsense.

If there is any difference between 30 gr of loose powder and a 30 gr pellet the pellet will be LESS powerful. They don't burn as efficiently as compacted loose powder.

The down side of using pellets is that they don't provide as much flexibility in loading as loose powder.

 

[Shawnee]

They worked fine in the ROA I used to have and I know someone who won't use anything else in his Uberti 1860 Army.

 

[Pulp]

I tried them in my '60. They are actually a bit hotter than a 30 grain loose charge. You have to be careful not to crush the pellet when you seat the bullet though. The little center part is an easier to ignite area than the rest of the pellet. If you crush it, you may lose that easy to ignite area. I didn't have any misfires with mine, but I did have some delay fires. Not hangfires, but a noticeable lag between pop and boom.
Bottom line for me, is they're too expensive.

 

[Snaggletooth]

I tried pellets and used them in a brass frame 51 Colt. I went back to powder. The pellets seem to attract moisture over time.

 

[dwave]

I am thinking that whoever was using the pellets might have been loading the 50gr. ones into them. Just a thought though.

 

[ArmedBear]

Should be fine in a Walker, right?

 

[Pulp]

"I am thinking that whoever was using the pellets might have been loading the 50gr. ones into them."

I cain't speak for the others, but I was using the 30 grain. When they came out with the 50 grain I got the idea of creating a .44-50, but the .44-40 hull is a bit short. It should work fine in a .454 Casull or .460 S&W though.

The hotter part of my reply referred to .44-40 cartridges. The 30 grain pellets gave me about 100 fps more velocity than a load of 32 grains of FFg Goex.