Post by: RobD on October 30, 2016, 06:41:54 AM
my first ever cap & ball revolver, a uberti remington 1858 NMA. i need schooling on this revolver before it arrives late next week. sounds like i'll need to get a .454 ball mould, probably a lee. i've got swiss 3f powder and both #10 and #11 caps, i guess along with the mould i should get a capper rather than fumbling pushing 'em in with fingers.
for loading, there are so many options, would like to hear what seems to work best for y'all - powder/ball/grease, powder/wad/ball, paper cartridge, the dreaded conicals ... and heck, even cf cartridge conversion cylinders.
hope this’ll be a fun thing ... !?
(https://www.ubertireplicas.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/a26-530x195.jpg)
Post by: rollingb on October 30, 2016, 12:46:27 PM
I load them with 30 grs. of Goex FFFG,.... a pea sized ball of bee's wax and sheep tallow lube (a 50/50 mix) for a "lube cookie" in each chamber (between powder and ball),.... and .454 round balls (which I cast), I also have a Lee conical mold but never have taken the time to cast any of those.
2 of my Piettas have 8" barrels and the 3rd. has a 5 1/2" barrel.
I also lube the cylinder pin with the same lube as I use for the "lube cookies".
I've never had a chain-fire, and I have several cylinders for each pistol, which are carried (loaded) in cylinder pouches on each belt and holster set-up.
The Traditions cylinder loading tool is kind'a flimsy, but cheap and will work for a while,.... but something like the "tower-of-power" cylinder loading tool will last for generations.
Sorry I can't help with the cartridge cylinder conversions, I've never bothered getting one 'cause I'm still having too much with the percussion cylinders.
Post by: RobD on October 30, 2016, 12:59:50 PM
was more or less curious about the conversion cylinder, and ditto's for conicals. bp balls are first 'n' foremost, for me. i like the way yer loading, i'll give that a go. i already have the gato feo lube.
how 'bout a thin card over powder card wad? perhaps the same milk carton wads i use for the .45-70 would work? then the lube on top.
intrigued by the youtube vids of building and shooting paper cartridges, want to give that a try as well.
i plan on getting another cylinder. for off gun loading i have a 1/2 ton fretting press that should work well.
just sorry i waited so long, shudda ordered it out early this year when the weather was better. better late than never, sez i!
Post by: rollingb on October 30, 2016, 01:12:00 PM
Edited to add:....Different lubes may lead to different results regarding powder-contamination however.
Post by: RobD on October 30, 2016, 01:17:11 PM
how are you capping the nipple, what capping tool has worked best for you and your revolvers?
/
Post by: rollingb on October 30, 2016, 01:41:17 PM
Quote from: "Rob DiStefano"
if the lube pea isn't a powder problem, i'll forego the card wad, one less thing to mess with.I just put the caps on with my fingers and use a short piece of wooden dowel to make sure they are fully seated on the nipples. :rt th
how are you capping the nipple, what capping tool has worked best for you and your revolvers?
/
Post by: RobD on October 30, 2016, 02:00:34 PM
Post by: rollingb on October 30, 2016, 02:04:48 PM
Good quality and priced pretty reasonable.
Post by: RobD on October 30, 2016, 02:09:49 PM
Post by: rollingb on October 30, 2016, 02:19:22 PM
Quote from: "Rob DiStefano"
does look like a good, solid unit. my 1/2 ton press will more than get the job done, however. :hairy
Post by: Ohio Joe on October 31, 2016, 02:16:32 PM
I usually freshen my loads about every 2 to 3 years. I go to my local Range and shoot into an old stump from about 12 to 15 yards away. Loads always seem to be consistent in nature.
Now I'm not a handgun shooter by any stretch, and I'll add that I feel these BP Revolvers today are every bit the equal to yester'years when they were the rule and not the exception.
Post by: RobD on October 31, 2016, 02:21:58 PM
Post by: RobD on October 31, 2016, 05:25:14 PM
Post by: rollingb on October 31, 2016, 06:49:01 PM
Post by: RobD on October 31, 2016, 06:53:36 PM
this is a good article on caps ...
Cap Gun Primer: Percussion Caps (http://www.theopenrange.net/forum/index.php?topic=9093.0)
Post by: Bigsmoke on October 31, 2016, 07:49:24 PM
I've never been associated with accuracy in pistols, but it is my understanding that one should position the ball as close as possible to the crown of the chamber, hence some corn meal filler could be used as part of your load.
I don't believe there is any truth to the thought that chain fire is caused by fire accessing the powder from the front. I think it can happen if a cap falls off a nipple. The fire enters through the uncovered nipple.
As far as a capper goes, rotsa ruck!! The cylinder design just doesn't make using one practical. On a Rogers and Spencer or a Colt, they work OK. Like rollingb said, use your fingers and set with a dowel piece, probably 5/16 is good. It does cut down on your speed, but if that was a consideration, you'd be shooting Glocks or UZI's or something, whatever they are.
Cleaning? Take them apart, hose them down, dry the parts (hair dryer works pretty good for that), WD-40 everything, wipe them off and put 'em back together.
Seems like I had two or three of them before I even thought about getting a rifle. They sure can be terrible addicting.
Loading devices are kinda cute but I never felt the desire to opt for one. I have tried a few, but they don't particularly excite me much.
Post by: RobD on October 31, 2016, 09:47:35 PM
this'll all be fun.
Post by: Ohio Joe on October 31, 2016, 10:31:47 PM
Quote from: "Rob DiStefano"
dang, i gave away all my cci #11 caps, only have cci #10 ... will they be ok, or ......... ?
Revolver nipple normally take #10 caps, however I've used #11 caps for years and just pinch them a bit for a better fit. Also, give me a little time and I'll post a picture of some of my roll your own paper cartridges.
Post by: Ohio Joe on October 31, 2016, 10:58:00 PM
Oh, by the way... Q-tips will be your best friends when cleaning these BP Revolvers. Trust me.
(http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll240/JoethebowM/100_2106_zpsdtfgeias.jpg) (http://http)
Post by: RobD on November 05, 2016, 08:05:03 AM
very neat, joe - i like that paper patching! hafta give it a try, for sure! thanx!
Post by: Ohio Joe on November 05, 2016, 07:02:43 PM
Post by: RobD on November 05, 2016, 07:09:32 PM
speaking of nipples, the pistol came fully smeared in a light machine oil, for rust/corrosion protection and i wiped it all down then i pulled off all 6 nipples and lubed the threads with nikal anti-seize for good insurance. got a killer leather holster for $20 and just finished making the belt. fun stuff!
Post by: Bigsmoke on November 05, 2016, 07:54:33 PM
Now, you will need to watch Outlaw Josey Wales a time or three to build up a need for about another 4 or 5 pistols.
THEN, you will be able to really strut your stuff.
Was it the Unforgiven where Clint was using a 1858 and spare cylinders? Have to watch that one also, a few times to get the timing down.
This is gonna get exciting. Wa-Hoooooooooooooooo !!!!
John
Post by: Ohio Joe on November 05, 2016, 08:19:21 PM
Post by: rollingb on November 05, 2016, 08:40:22 PM
Post by: RobD on November 05, 2016, 09:40:15 PM
(http://i.imgur.com/FPLNTqj.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/KLXkGaK.jpg)
Post by: Ohio Joe on November 05, 2016, 10:02:09 PM
Post by: RobD on November 06, 2016, 05:31:35 AM
Post by: Ohio Joe on November 07, 2016, 05:19:25 PM
In any event, these sure are fun to shoot!
(http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll240/JoethebowM/100_2109_zpsybgzn4nj.jpg) (http://http)
Post by: RobD on November 07, 2016, 05:37:27 PM
Post by: Ohio Joe on November 07, 2016, 06:39:05 PM
I only load 5 shots to a cylinder, so with this set up and all cylinders loaded and the paper cartridges I can shoot up to 40 rounds. (25 through the Navy Arms, and 15 through the Pietta), though both Revolvers take the same paper cartridge.
When I was younger, these were a whole lot of fun, and they still are if I'd just find the time to get out and shoot 'em.
Post by: mandack on November 21, 2016, 08:43:16 PM
Post by: rollingb on November 21, 2016, 09:51:38 PM
Quote from: "mandack"
I have started loading using rollingb's method of putting a 50/50 "wad" between powder and ball and I'll tell you it makes for an easy to clean revolver at the end of the day. After a month plus and hundreds of rounds through 1858s, 1860s, a Walker and my 1849 Pocket, cleaning is a breeze. As I have said before, I always throw away the factory nipples and replace them with #11s from Track of the Wolf, they fit American 11s way better than the European nipples with no jams. Here is my latest baby, just showed up today. 1851 Colt Navy .36 deluxe (Pietta designation yandlig36). I already have the replacement nipples waiting, tomorrow I will take it down and clean it and put the new nips in before taking it to the club saturday. BTW, the picture does not do it justice.That's pretty!