New to BP Shooting Question

[Schofield]

New to the board and hello to everyone.  I have really enjoyed reading the posts here.  I have a "newbie" question:

I recently bought a Pietta 1858 Remington from Cabela's and ordered a Kirst Konverter from VTI.  They went together easily and I see no mechanical problem. 

Which would be the lighter load for the Pietta...an Ultramax 230 gr RNFP (listed at 650 FPS) in a "Schofield .45 cowboy load smokeless round" or the Goex Black Dawge 235 gr RNFP (listed at 690 FPS) in a "Schofield .45 Black Powder round"?

Your input would be appreciated.  Thanks   

[Marshal Will Wingam]

I'm not familiar with either of those. You may want to consider reloading your own. If a good press is not what you want to do initially, you can get an inexpensive Lee Loader to get you hooked. 

Here's the link: http://www.gunaccessories.com/Lee/Kits/Loader.asp

[Schofield]

Links for the BP pre-load ammo & smokeless ammo in question:


http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20712-cat20726-cat20837&id=0037466216113a&navCount=1&podId=0037466&parentId=cat20837&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=IH&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat20837&hasJS=true


http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20712-cat20726-cat20837&id=0012663213645a&navCount=3&podId=0012663&parentId=cat20837&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=IH&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat20837&hasJS=true

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Thanks for the links. I haven't shot either one since I do my own loads, mostly smokeless, although I have done some BP cartridge. Over in the black powder forum, The Darksiders Den, there are some very knowledgable shooters who could advise you far better than I could for that.

BTW, welcome to CAS City. Looking forward to seeing you around.

[Schofield]

Thanks!

[Marshal Tac]

The term "Lighter" is dependant on what your looking for. Lighter recoil or lighter pressure on the gun.

Lighter pressure, I would say that the Black Powder load would produce lower pressures and less wear/tear on the gun. The smokeless load would probably produce slightly less recoil, but then again, recoil is a subjective thing and what you percieve may be different than what I percieve in that department. If you are looking for reduced recoil, I say buy a box of both, shoot them and see which you like best.

[Schofield]

Thanks! As you can tell I'm new to this, but have shot modern pistols a lot.  I guess lighter pressure on the gun was what I was looking for to be safe and have some fun too.  A Pietta BP firearm is a long way from being a S&W or Colt and I'm just not wanting to mess around and do something stupid with a converter if you know what I mean.  And I'm not really into doing my own loading at this time, so I guess I'm just looking for the lightest/safest pre-load for the Pietta/Converter set-up.  Thanks again to all for your answers and help.  Any more comments will be greatly appreciated.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Any cowboy loads should be safe in your gun. Be careful of full-boat factory loads, though. Those will hammer the gun too much and stretch the frame, possibly even cause it to fail in time. Remember those BP guns are a milder steel unless you have one of the new Uberti forged steel ones. I've shot a lot of smokeless loads in mine, but I keep to the lower end of the loading range for cowboy loads. You may want to think about Schofield loads if they'll fit in your Kirst cylinder. Those are shorter cases and slightly lighter loads. I am loading the Cowboy 45 Specials in mine and they are shorter even than Schofields. The felt recoil is much lighter and the resultant effect on the guns should be less pressures. Ten-X has the Cowboy 45 Specials available already loaded. They are, to my knowledge, the only ones offering them. You may want to try those for nice easy shooting with great accuracy. They list them in their pricing section: http://www.tenxammo.com/ When you start loading our own, you can really dial in what works best for your needs.

[Schofield]

Thanks again Marshal Will for the great info! I know my Kirst Konverter chambers both the 45LC & 45 Schofield.  Will a "45 special" work anywhere a 45 Schofield does?

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Thanks again Marshal Will for the great info! I know my Kirst Konverter chambers both the 45LC & 45 Schofield.  Will a "45 special" work anywhere a 45 Schofield does?

They'll fit fine in any gun a 45 Colt will. They are just a shortened version of that. The Schofield has a wider rim.

After telling you that, there is a hitch if you're trying to feed them in a rifle. The short C45S won't feed correctly without modifying the gun. They're so short that the rifle will try to let two in at the same time. My cousin has a couple 45 Colt caliber guns that will feed Schofields OK, but mine won't. The little ones will need a modified carrier. If you're shooting these in pistols, no problem whatsoever. In fact my pistols like them even better than the longer ones.

[Schofield]

Marshal Will, I believe you have cured my headache.  Direct order to Ten-X:

200 gr RNFP Cowboy .45 Special BPC  &  200 gr RNFP Cowboy .45 Schofield smokeless cartridge

Both rounds under 600 fps.  You don't know how much I appreciate your help!

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Glad to help. Have fun. Let us know how you like them.

[Marshal Tac]

I second Marshal Wingam's comments. I have had very good results with both .45 Schofield and with the .45 Cowboy Special ammo in my converted '58 remmi's. They shoot nice, hit the target really well and both produce more than enough smoke to keep the posse caughing and gagging! 

Eventually, I intend to send my Marlin rifle off to Spur and have him convert it to shoot those short cartridges too..

[Schofield]

Got my order in for both rounds today.  I talked with Richard at Ten-X... he was very helpful and informative too.  Thank you all again!!!!!

[Marshal Will Wingam]

You know you're hooked, now, doncha? This is just the start.

[The Avocado Kid]

ANY OF THESE FACTORY(COWBOY) LOADS IN.45 CAL WILL BE SAFE TO SHOOT IN YOUR 1858 PIETTA NMA....I HAVE THE SAME REVOLVER PURCHASED FROM CABELA'S....JUST A GREAT DEAL AT $199.99...CAN'T GO WRONG WITH THAT ONE. DUSTY.

[Schofield]

I tried the Pietta 58 w/Kirst Konverter out this weekend and everthing worked great.  I only tried the Ten-X .45 special BPC and I really liked the way they handled.  Ha, I may have to change my name from Schofield to .45 Special.  I am not much of a gunsmith myself and was wondering where you might send a Pietta 58 to get all the internals beefed up at a resonable price?  Thanks

[Cincy Slim]

Howdy,

Cabela's sells a Pietta/Traditions 1858 internal spare parts kit that includes EVEYTHING (hammer, trigger, bolt, hand and springs) for a really reasonable price. Highly recommended !

You can also buy a jar of "Kasenit" do-it-yourself surface hardening powder and harden the hammer notches and tip of the trigger to extend the life of the sear mating surfaces. Real easy to use with a grill or gas burner to heat the parts and dunk 'em in the hardening powder.

Cheers,

Slim

[Schofield]

Thanks Cincy Slim!

[The Avocado Kid]

Howdy,

Cabela's sells a Pietta/Traditions 1858 internal spare parts kit that includes EVEYTHING (hammer, trigger, bolt, hand and springs) for a really reasonable price. Highly recommended !

You can also buy a jar of "Kasenit" do-it-yourself surface hardening powder and harden the hammer notches and tip of the trigger to extend the life of the sear mating surfaces. Real easy to use with a grill or gas burner to heat the parts and dunk 'em in the hardening powder.

Cheers,

Slim

Slim....can you use an oven for this? Thanks,Dusty.