My 51 Navy Conversions at Round-Up - pics up

[Pony Racer]

Pards and pardettes wish ya'll could have come down to Round-Up - great small two day nestled in the mountains of SW VA.

My 51 Navy R&D conversions were done as promised for the match.  However, I took my 51 RM Navies just in case.  Front sights had not been dovetailed (I have really grown to like the standard navy sights) into the new conversions - so both me and my gunsmith were a little concerned about where they would shoot.

I tell you what - they shot POA with my two hand stance and POA with his one handed stance.  No dovetailed sight req'd at all.

I shot the guns all match and had seven out of ten clean stages

I will post pics later today and if people are interested in conversions - pm me and I will give out my smith's info.

PR

[Pony Racer]

Here are the pics:

[Pony Racer]

Pards have shot these now at both a two day match, a one dayer and some target shooting with my older brothers at Parents farm.

They shoot POA out to about 15-20 yds and only need a little wiping down on the cylinder face after about 20-30 rounds.  I do that to my RM's that don't really need it - just because it is habit so no biggee.

I am hoping now to shoot enough so that my 5-1/2 RM's don't get too lonely - love them 7-1/2 inch barrels and the conversions seem to point just a TAD bit better than the RM's.

Maybe it is the longer barrel or maybe just keeping the loading lever in place keeps the weight right - don't rightly know!

PR

[Reb Tyree]

Howdy Pony Racer

Very nice!  I love the feel of the 1851 Navy, although I prefer the 44 cal/45 Colt Round.  Would like to hear more after you break them in more.

I have the honor to remain

Your obedient servant.

Bvt Capt (SSG) Reb Tyree, CSA
Commander, Central California Cavalry
Dept of the Pacific, GAF

43 VA Cav, Co A. (Mosby's Rangers) ACWA

SASS, GAF, BOLD, SCORRS, ACWA, NAHC, NRA, USAR

[Pony Racer]

Ok RT,  two more matches under my belt with these under my belt.

They definitely point just a bit better than my 5-1/2 inch RM's - I use the exact same FC load in both guns - but the extra 2 inches of barrel and the weight of the loading lever is what I believe (my opinion) makes the difference.

Again I did not need dovetailed front sights on these guns - and they shoot POA to 25 yds with my FC loads (have not shot them at further targets) - so unless you like the look of the dovetailed sights I would not waste money on them (conversions are expensive enough).

On other wires and posts people have not recommended using BP lube with APP or Pinnacle due to experiencing a "black tar/sludge" substance building up in their guns.  I have yet to experience this.  I use a 38 158 grain bullet from Parson Delacroix with his BP lube already on it, 18 grains by volume of 3f (APP or Pinnacle) and a nice crimp - don't rightly know if it is load or crimp or maybe make up of the lube - but this combo shoots very clean and through RM's there is no wipe down needed during match at all.  The conversions are a little tighter for now and I wipe the face of cylinder every two stages - as a rule - I have not experienced binding issues - just know that the clearances are tight and do it every two stages (rag with little balistol).

I love my conversions and would recommend having some made to anyone.  They were as expensive to buy a new set of RM's (any caliber) and have them slicked and could be more expensive if you have to pay full price for the C&B guns and if you want everything completely refinished (ie fix minor blemishes to blueing/color case hardening).

I know a gunsmith who will do them right for you - pm me for his info.

PR

[Reb Tyree]

Good Evening Poney Racer

Great info you provided, I will PM you and request the info.  Thanks

I have the honor to remain

Your obedient servant

Bvt Capt (SSG) Reb Tyree,
Dept od the Pacific, GAF