1860 Army pistol question

[Jax]

Im new to the hobby, well kinda since I have a BP cannon.  I just purchased this pistol from an estate sale in good condition.  It didnt come with instructions or anything.  I pretty much knokw how to load it, BUT would like to know how much BP you guys use in yours??  I got #11 caps, felt wad, and balls. 

From what I have seen and read the way to load is, BP (30 gr is what I have seen being used) felt pad, ball, ram, add cap. 

Thanks for the help.  Im pretty excited to get to shoot it.  I also got a 58 cal musket with it, and am having issues finding ammo for it local.  will have to order online

--Justin

[oldandslow]

My favorite plinking load with the 1860 is 23 gr. of 3f or Pyrodex P. I add corn meal to where the ball seats slightly below the cylinder face. Mild recoil and more accurate than I am with those little dinky sights on the 1860. I use mostly Pyrodex since real black powder can't be found around here. My stash of Goex is almost gone.

[Jax]

Thanks for the reply.  I have ff real Black powder, Do you think 30 grains would be too much to start with, or should I start with a bit lower just to test things?

[simonkenton]

Thirty grains of BP works great for me.

[FourBee]

Jax; 30 gr of 2f will be fine.  If you notice any unburnt powder, cut it back a few grains.    3f supposedly burns faster giving more power from the short barrels, but who can tell the difference ?   Usually 23gr to 25gr is the best all round.  You not only get better accuracy, it'll get a few extra shots out of a pound of powder. 

[Jax]

Thanks for the info guys.  I will be shooting it next weekend.  I just found some nice little funnels at walmart that will help me pour the BP in the gun. 

[Rangr44]

If the funnels are plastic, they will need to have their static electricity charge removed prior to use, or powder granules will cling to it.

Just dip the funnel into any liquid dish detergent, and let it drip dry before use.

.

[tacklebury]

I save once used drier sheets and rub them down.  Does a nice job on my electronic scale and powder dippers too. 

[Jax]

I shot this pistol this past weekend, and I love it.  I have to get use to the caps falling off after fire.  Had one misfire.  Took 2 strikes with the hammer to fire round.    30gr was a bit much as there was a bit of unburnt powder.  Took it down to 25 gr and it works perfect. 

The last question.  When firing, after it goes off, whats the proper procedure to get rid of the caps?? 

[FourBee]

The last question.  When firing, after it goes off, whats the proper procedure to get rid of the caps?? 

Have you ever watched those old 'B' western cowboy movies where in the heat of a gun fight those old cowpokes fired a shot and flicked their guns high in the air as they cocked them for another shot?  Well; that's one way of doing it.  But some range rules don't allow that type of shooting, so a flick to the right with the barrel pointed down range while cocking will throw the spent cap free of the cylinder.   I like the old cowpoke style myself . 
Happy Shootin........