Newbie needs help

[chopper69]

Just received my Pietta 1858 New Model Army .44 mag from Cabelas.  Wow this is one good looking firearm but.....  I'm new to cap and ball revolvers (and rifles also) and could use some input/advise.  The loading guide Cabelas included did not mention using wads even though they were included in the starter kit.  The guide that came with the firearm from the manufacturer did.  In looking online I'm seeing all kinds of info about powder wads, etc.  How do I load this thing...what about the Hodgon pyrodex revolver pellets (they seem pretty easy).  Have I asked enough questions.  Sure could use some help.  Thanks in advance.

[Dick Dastardly]

First of all, Chopper69, welcome!

I strongly reccommend the black powder book by Lyman.  Lots of good information.  I can help with load information if you are using genuine black powder.  I have no experience with the subs/replica powders.

If you have a flask, see what the spout drops and how full it fills the chambers.  Black powder needs some compression.  Your chosen projectile needs to seal the chamber when it is seated.  Round balls need some lube.  The most common practice is to smear some over the ball after it is seated.  Don't cap the nipples till you have loaded the chambers.  For SASS shooting, load and cap only Five chambers and have the empty chamber under the hammer when you come to the fireing line.

This may get you started.  Also, if you get an opportunity, get to a SASS match where there are C&B shooters.  They love to assist shooters.

Enjoy the smoke!

DD-DLoS

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Howdy Chopper69 and Welcome!

Put the wads under the ball and squirt some lube over the ball and you'll do fine.  Or buy lubed wads.  Or don't use the wads at all.  Remember:  No matter what else is said, YOU CAN'T HAVE TOO MUCH LUBE!!!!!  There are a plethora of lubes that you can buy OR make.  Crisco is an old stand-by. 

You'll hear about using Ballistol and water mix for cleaning and lubing (the gun, not the balls).  It's good stuff ... but it stinks to high-heaven.  There are loads of cleaning methods, but hot, mildly soapy water followed by a good drying off and then re-lubing is an old way that works perfectly.  Water is the key "secret" ingredient to any good cleaning that neutralizes the residue salts created by firing BP.  I have used Ballistol and it works AND has other uses, but I personally prefer "Hoppes #9 PLUS - Black Powder Cleaner."   It doesn't stink UNTIL it mixes with the BP residue.  It also can be used with petroleum based lubes, like BreakFree or other high quality gun oils. Ballistol (or other natural [organic] lubes + oil = black tarry goo.

Pyrodex pellets work OK, but many prefer a lighter load - it recoils less.  Your '58 NMA isn't a brass framed one, is it?  If so, I wouldn't push the loads all that much and you'll be fine.  By the way, if it's a Pietta '58 NMA, it darn sure AINT a 44 mag!    Trying to make that Cap-n-ball into a 44 mag {your word} would ruin your day or year ... or Life!  PLEEZE don't under any circumstances use smokey-less powder or even firecracker powder.  Stick to approved Black Powder or BP substitutes.  (Sorry if it sounds like I'm talking to ya like a child - but safety is ALL-IMPORTANT!)

BPs you can use:  Goex, Wano, KIK, Swiss, Elephant and perhaps a few others.
BP subs you can use:  Pyrodex, APP, 777 (Triple 7), Clean Shot, Clear Shot, GOEX Pinnacle, and perhaps a few others.

You can use #10 or #11 size Percussion caps, but you'll have to find which one fits the nipples (cones is the old-timey term) of your gun.  MANY of us have changed from the factory supplied nipples to Treso or Uncle Mike's brands because the factory nipples often are different diameters and often have too big flash holes which tends to result in splitting caps - which then can fall into the action and jams the gun!

There's lots more info to learn, but I won't try to talk about everything.

Oh, one hint: try to limit your posts to one question - you'll get better, more precise answers.  if you have 5 questions, post five.  Some of us have trouble concentrating on more than one thing at a time! 

Again, if you remember ONE thing:  There's no such thing (within reason) as too much lube!  Yeah, it's messy - and I've often shot over a hundred rounds in one session MANY TIMES  with NO jamming or sticking due to BP residue.  Messy works!

Keep yer powder dry!

SHB

[hellgate]

Uh, Mr Bailey covered it pretty well. I agree with his recommendations (and follow most of them).

[litl rooster]

Welcome to the Darkside......... there's never too many questions

[Ransom Gaer]

I agree with Horse Steel Bailey whole heartedly.   As an example I took one of my 1860 Armies out for a little practice a few weeks back.  I'd slobbered bore butter over the cylinder pin and more bore butter in the barrel.  I loaded each chamber with a lubed wad behind the ball.  I shot 65 rounds before I had to quit.  It was getting close to closing time at the range.  The 1860 Army was still running just fine.  I probably could have run over one hundred rounds through it if I'd had the time.  Still hitting paper also.  That lube really does help a bunch.  Cleanup was easy also.

Have not used Pyrodex pellets.  Prefer loose powder and tend to use Goex for CAS.  Plan to start using Swiss for long range.

Ransom Gaer

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Howdy again!

I prefer loose powder (Goex 3F) (or 2F) as well.  However, today (Sun the 14th) is our club's 1st shoot for 2007 and I decided to use up my remaining Pyrodex pellets to shoot my 1st match of the year!  

[Dick Dastardly]

Newbies kin get lots of good help  here, but do get at least one good book on black powder shootin'.  Lyman is good and there are other good ones.  Also, as ya learn what works for you, take notes.  I like to keep a small notebook on my gun cart.  Yup, I kin remember stuff, but I kin remember it better if I write stuff down.

Also, know that it takes time to learn what is right for you.  There's no single path to fun shootn'.  Soon enuf you will begin to have a collection of learned stuff and will start givin' advice to newbies .

Experience is a great teacher.  When good stuff happens, write it down.  When somethin' don't work, write that down so ya don't do it again.  Don't be afraid to experiment a little on yer own, but don't start out experimenting till ya have some successful experience laid down.  Also, look out for bad advice.  Sometimes there will be well intended "experts" that simply  say  stuff cuz they have heard it said.  Sorting that out can get tricky.  That's why ya want some good books to refer back to.

I know this isn't very specific, but sometimes specifics get lost pretty quick.  Your own learnin' tends to hang around.

Enjoy the smoke.

DD-DLoS

[Paladin UK]

Howdy Chopper 69!!  `n Welcome.......

69 eh!! sounds kinda innerstin!!!

BUT MOVING SWIFLY ON!!!!
Lube pard!! ya gotta use a lotta lube!!

Paladin (Whats jest takin one of his iddy biddy blue pills `n is feelin jest  fine!! ) UK

[Wallaby Jack]

G'day

Have a good ol' wander throught tha "Dark Arts" section .........  lotsa real good stuff there.

This C'n'B'n' ain't rocket surgery, but it is funnnn

[Flinch Morningwood]

I have the same pistols and one thing that has helped a great deal is to get a lever loader (don't know if that is the official name)...basically, you remove the cylinder, put it in the device and load it.  The lever gives you the ability to get good compression on the BP and makes the whole process a lot faster and easier.

I am sure someone here can point you in the direction to get one as I have forgotten where I got mine.

I generally use a brass flask with a 25 grain spout to throw the powder.  I fill the cylinder then put the lubricated wad over the powder...this gives me a visual that the cylinder has powder in it.  Once I have 5 filled, I go back and place the ball(s) and compress.  On my model loader, I go back over each ball with one extra push just to make sure.

I would find a good quality capper as well.  I bought one of the straight line versions and ground off the the little "ears" at the end of the cap holder, leaving only the semi-circles that hold the cap...seems to work pretty well.  Experiment with what works best for you...efficient and quick capping in at the loading table will help big time.

[Dick Dastardly]

Howdy Lil Al,

I use one of these myself.  It's called a Cylinder Loading Stand.  I have them for sale on my web site.  Just click on my banner on any of my posts and yer there.

They are handy because with them, I can load my cylinders at my gun cart and only have to cap 'em at the loading table.  That way I'm free to help with posse activities and do my part.  When I get to the unloading table, I remove the cylinders and put the guns,  without cylinders, in my holsters.  Simple, safe, quick and easy.

DD-DLoS