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Post by inquisitor on Dec 9, 2009 10:27:09 GMT -5
Greetings! It was suggested that I drop by and seek the expert advice of you folks on how to use this lovely piece:  Its a CVA replica of a Navy Colt, I believe its .36 caliber, cap and ball. I don't believe it has ever been fired. I haven't the first clue how to get started with it. I have been shooting for 30 years, but its all modern firearms, and mostly pistols, and mostly not precision shooting, though I dabble in that. I have owned this piece for probably 20 or so, it belonged to an uncle. I would love a primer (no pun intended) on black powder in general, and if anyone has experience with this or any similar pistol, tips there would be awesome. Thanks in advance! |
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Post by Jack on Dec 9, 2009 10:50:30 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum, Inquisitor!
There are some real expert BP users here, so I'm sure you'll get some guidance.
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Post by dovehunter on Dec 9, 2009 10:51:14 GMT -5
The best book I have seen for novice muzzle-loaders is Ultra-Hi's MUZZLE LOADERS MANUAL by Hank Goodman. This book has a whole chapter devoted to loading and shooting ML revolvers. It has excellent loading data too. I had a .36 cal. 1851 Navy repro. I always used either Gerhard-Owens (GOEX) FFFg black powder or Hodgdon's Pyrodex RS in mine. Probably the new 777 powder would be okay too. The above-metioned book suggests a .375" or.376" round ball (or conical bullet), a #11 percussion cap, and 15-25 gr. of FFFg black powder for your particular gun. I would strongly advise using either Traditions or Butler Creek lube-impregnated fiber wads between the powder and the ball or bullet. These are not as messy as the Crisco over the ball lube. You will also need a powder measure. I have the CVA that uses different size spouts but you can get adjustivle measures too. Most any well-stocked gunshop should have everything you need. Shooting BP revolvers is a blast, you'll love it.
Oh yeah, and welcome to HF.
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Post by jimiowa on Dec 9, 2009 12:59:25 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum Inquisitor!!
No doubt some here can help you with any questions you have.
You might want to post your questions in the muzzleloading forum. We have a number of members from Nebraska that are very active Traditional Muzzleloaders and monitor that forum closely.
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Post by inquisitor on Dec 9, 2009 18:49:45 GMT -5
Concise, direct, functional advice. Thank you very much!
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Post by Purebred Redneck on Dec 9, 2009 19:51:34 GMT -5
Thanks for making your way over  I had a Colt Walker repro for a very short period of time (as in it didn't work right out of the box). I read up on how to take the barrel off the frame but never could figure it out --- although I'm told they are very very tight from the factory. I've since bought a 1858 remington so I don't have to worry about that ;D When you get that thing going, I'd also recommend the wonder wads (generic or name brand). It's so much easier and they don't cost a whole lot considering you can only fire 5-6 shots every 5 minutes. You might as well shoot a round ball (only use hornady) since the Buffalo Company went belly up (the makers of the factory conical bullets). Short of casting your own, I'm not sure who makes these new. #10 caps - remington are likely the ones you'll find even though CCI are better. You may have to pinch them so they don't fly off in recoil (chain fire and cylinder rotation issue). Powder, here's where I'm going to get yelled at  777 (fffg) is so much cleaner than pyrodex and black powder. You should be able to shoot the gun the entire shooting session without having to clean it --- unlike the other two powders. With a brass frame, I sure wouldn't go over 20 grains. In fact, I'd try 15 and see if that's acceptable. It gets to a point where you need enough powder to get it out of the barrel And a powder flask with premeasured spouts are nice --- it's a one hand deal instead of having to put the gun on the table to measure the powder. |
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Post by deputydon on Dec 10, 2009 14:20:44 GMT -5
Welcome aboard!!! Red was spot on Except for the powder thing!!! And for a beginner Red was spot on. If you want to go more traditional there would of course be some changes. BUT first enjoy shooting your gun, then as you get more comfortable we can get you going that route.
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bounce
Royal Member
Posts: 5,727
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Post by bounce on Dec 10, 2009 19:51:17 GMT -5
After all the years of trying this & that I'm back to very basics, except I too like the wonder wads over the powser, so what ever amount of powder + the wonder wad to seat the ball deep ebough with al 5 chambers so the cillinder turns is your load of 3F Black Powder, One cilinder is left empty to lower your hammer on for carrying. All #11 caps will need pinched down on the end before placeing on the niple, #10's not so shure? Even with wonder wads I grease over the bullet. Good luck
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Post by inquisitor on Dec 11, 2009 14:45:24 GMT -5
This seems to be such a different experience from the shooting I normally do. looking forward to a shopping trip and trying your advice, thanks again!
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Post by Purebred Redneck on Dec 11, 2009 19:25:32 GMT -5
To save a headache, be very carefull with the nipple wrench (revolver style btw). Those nipples are in there on a weird angle compared to a rifle and I went through about 2 wrenches (very soft steel) before figuring that out.
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Post by inquisitor on Dec 14, 2009 10:54:17 GMT -5
Just found a used copy of the Goodman book for <10$, thanks again for the advice!
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Post by Bubba on Dec 14, 2009 21:11:47 GMT -5
Welcome from Delaware... I hope you enjoy this site as much as I do. Welcome again and make yourself to home.
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