What do I need to get started?

[eagle24]

Hello All,

This is my first post on this forum. While not new to shooting, especially revolvers (I'm definitely a wheelgun guy), I am new to cap & ball revolvers. My first is on order from Cabelas, a Pietta 58 Rem New Army. It was on backorder so I'm having to wait a couple of weeks to get it. Since ordering the revolver, I have placed another order with Cabelas for some accessories and shooting supplies.

Here's what I ordered:
Hornady .44 cal .454" dia. round balls (are these what I need?)
Tube of T/C Bore Butter
Dry lubed .44-.45 cal felt wads
5-130 gr powder measure

What powder and caps would you recommend and where do I get them? Is there anything else I need to get started? Will I need to experiment with different powders to see what the gun likes? I'm used to finding the right loads for my modern revolvers and did'nt know if BP revolvers are ticky about components like modern revolvers can sometimes be.

TIA, Greg

 

[Beartracker]

Greg, Good to see you over here too It sounds like you just about covered it but you will need some powder. If you cant find Goex3F or Swiss3f then I would go with Pyrodex"P". Start out with about 30g. of either of these powders and then you can workup a good load from there.
Powder flask.
A few things to ad to your list are:
Nipple pick.
Toothbrush to help with the cleaning.
Parts repair kit for the 58 from Cabelas.
Good brass bore brush.
Pipe cleaners for cleaning out and drying the nipples.
Q-tips are very handy and I like them for reaching the bottom of the cylinder chambers when cleaning and drying.
Good screwdriver set.
Files, stones, and sand paper to smooth out the parts(called stoning).
Lots of patches and rags.
Lube such as Crisco , the bore butter will get way to expensive to use as Lube or over ball lube. It's good for curing your bore the first few times.
WD-40 works great after cleaning for these guns.
You will read of more formulas for cleaning and lubing for these revolvers than what came first...The chicken or the egg Just about any of them are great and it's just a matter of trial and era to see what you like best.
Others will ad to this list to help out with things I have forgotten I'm sure.Mike

 

[eagle24]

Mike, I did also order the parts kit. As for rags, patches, tools, honing stones, and bore brushes, I have all that stuff on my workbench. I can steal some crisco and q-tips from the wife. Also, would it be OK to use her toothbrush as long as I rinse it well after use and return it to her vanity drawer?

What type caps do I need to get?

Greg

 

[mathewsman99]

doese it take #11 percussion caps i used cci caps they work well

 

[Steve499]

Greg, several of us have pretty much settled on Remington caps. The Pietta 1858 replica I have is supposed to take #11s but I find #10 Remingtons to be a perfect fit.

These percussion revolvers are like any other revolver in that they have preferences for different loads. I have read that some are sensitive to the amount of pressure applied to seat the ball, but mine don't seem finicky about that. If you only use real black powder I think they are very forgiving in that area. They are capable of accuracy as good as any cartridge revolver. Some shoot better than others, of course, but don't assume you must settle for mediocre accuracy just because you are cap and balling.

Steve

 

[Low Key]

Also, would it be OK to use her toothbrush as long as I rinse it well after use and return it to her vanity drawer?

Bad idea, you're likely to see faces like this when she finds out...

I'd get a cheapie at the dollor store for gun cleaning,

 

[Father Knows Best]

Don't forget to bring a clean rag to the range with you. You'll need it to wipe the grin off your face after you touch off your first cylinder!

Seriously, welcome to the club. Black powder is seriously addictive. I got infected with it about three years, and I can assure you that there is no cure.

 

[Beartracker]

I can steal some crisco and q-tips from the wife. Also, would it be OK to use her toothbrush as long as I rinse it well after use and return it to her vanity drawer?

I don't recommend that but hey..it's your divorce..ah, er, I mean your life.

 

[Duncaninfrance]

I can steal some crisco and q-tips from the wife. Also, would it be OK to use her toothbrush as long as I rinse it well after use and return it to her vanity drawer?

I don't recommend that but hey..it's your divorce..ah, er, I mean your life.

I asked my wife what she wanted for her Birthday. She said a divorce but I said I wasn't thinking of spending that much! Never mix marriage and pleasure!

Don't use her toothbrush. She might get a taste for BP and then where would you be?
Duncan