First Range Outing

[ashlyngr]

Hello Folks,

After several months of reading this forum, buying accouterments, tools, and supplies, I shot one of my three new cap and ball revolvers.

Yesteryday I shot my Pietta 1851 .36 cal Confederate. It came with two cylinders so I shot 25 balls each cylinder. I started with 12 gns of Goex FFF. Although all my shots were on the paper, I went to 15 gns and it tightened up to a 1 1/2 in ragged hole at twenty five yards from a rest. However, this group was level with the center, and one inch to the left. How I sighted, was I placed two orange dots 6 inches apart and sighted on the lower dot, thus placing my shots exactly 6 inches high as I learned here.

My loading was as follows, 15 gns Goex FFF, .30 ccs Cream of Wheat, a relubed lubed wad, and a Hornady ball. To seat the ball and compress the powder I used the Big Lube loading press. Since I was using two cylinders I loaded them with my loading press to save time.

I had 100% ignition on my CCI #11 caps with no cap jams. I did however run into the loose cap syndrome which is why board posters have mentioned " pinching caps ". Second issue is with the learning curve in using my Ted Cash snail capper. I learned you need to approach the nipple at the right angle, and dropping caps if you don't keep the caps facing up until you get them on the nipple. I seated my caps by using a manicurist cuticle stick from got a local store. Still caps are loose.

I used Ballistol as cylinder pin lube and for cleaning. I am Sold... Straight as a lube and bore cleaner. 1:7 to spray my revolver down. I stole my cleaning procedure form a Bottom Dealin Mike video. Thanks Mike. I did not soak my revolver or dry it in the oven. Since this was my first outing I did a detail clean. The dirtiest part was the lock work. I gave it a couple of blast of Gun Scrubber let it dry and lubed with Ballistol.

I used the mutton tallow/parafin/beeswax lube recipe. I dumped my wads in a cat food can and went to the range like that. As the weather warms this spring here in Pa., I may need to ammend my mixtue to soften it. How would I do that?

All in All, I'm very happy with the day I had. I do have to thank all those who participate here at the Darkside. The knowledge shared here has made my forray to the Darkside pleasurable.

Thanks Again,
Old Overholt Rye

[cpt dan blodgett]

Actually warmer temps will soften the lube on its own.  You may need to add parafin or beeswax to stiffen.
Come really cold weather
add more mutton tallow or some canola or olive oil.
Not a whole lot.  Make softer

[Junkman]

ashlyngr,

With loose caps you are inviting a chain fire. Ditch the CCI caps and go to Remington #10. They fit all my C&B Piettas just right!

[Noz]

"I had 100% ignition on my CCI #11 caps with no cap jams. I did however run into the loose cap syndrome which is why board posters have mentioned " pinching caps ". Second issue is with the learning curve in using my Ted Cash snail capper. I learned you need to approach the nipple at the right angle, and dropping caps if you don't keep the caps facing up until you get them on the nipple. I seated my caps by using a manicurist cuticle stick from got a local store. Still caps are loose."


What Junkman says will fix that.

The #10 Remingtons and the TRESO nipple are a fix for most of the cap problems.  Pinching is not a good practice.

[cpt dan blodgett]

Not to pile on but in the Dark Arts (child board of this one) there is an excellent discussion of caps with great art work.

[ashlyngr]

Hello, I did read Mako's (?) treatise on caps. Great reading... Today I bought a tin of remington # 10 caps. I'll give them a try first before I spend to outfit my 4 cylinders with treso nipples.

Thanks,
Old Overholt Rye