Author Topic: more newbie questions  (Read 607 times)

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Offline bjones

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more newbie questions
« on: September 13, 2007, 03:57:55 PM »
Just bought a used pieta 1851 navy brass frame. What loads would you recommend, is shot ok in a revolver? I'm new to bp so any advice is much appreciated.

Offline mykeal

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Re: more newbie questions
« Reply #1 on: September 14, 2007, 05:21:02 PM »
I assume it's .36 cal; in that case use a .375 round ball with a lubed felt wad between powder and ball (or grease the chamber mouth with crisco or bore butter if not using the wad), 18 to 22 gr by volume fffg real black or Pyrodex P, 15 to 20 gr fffg 777. No more than 25 in any case.

To really do it right you should start at 15 gr fffg, shoot a five shot group, then go up to 17 or 18, do the same, then 20, then 22, then 25. One of those will be a tighter group than the others; that's the load you should use. That's for real black or Pyrodex; reduce by 15% if using 777. Clean barrel with bp solvent between groups and try very hard to be consistent as to how you measure and load every time.

Shot is OK, as long as it's lead shot. However, you will find it pretty inaccurate - close range only.

Offline bjones

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Re: more newbie questions
« Reply #2 on: September 16, 2007, 03:57:49 PM »
Thanks for the reply,I should have stated the caliber as .44. I have not measured the chamber diameter yet but .451 ball should work?

Offline mykeal

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Re: more newbie questions
« Reply #3 on: September 17, 2007, 04:20:30 PM »
Yes, the .451 round ball will work in that gun. My brother-in-law shoots one that I restored for him last winter, and he gets good results. With the .44 you can go up to 30 gr fffg real black powder when testing for the optimum load. I think he uses 25 gr.