Pietta 1851 sheriff loads

[deputy dewey]

Howdy
Just got me a Pietta 1851 sheriff model with a brass frame from Mule a good friend of Angel Eyes with the intention of doing a  conversion to it but the idea of shooting it as is is getting the better of me.
Being from the UK and shooting on an indoor range the genuine black stuff isnt an option at the moment so its gonna have to be that 777 stuff.
What would be a starting load , not sure about this weight in volume business as ive never shot a bp revolver as is before, also what caps would be best and what about them there nipples do they need replacing or are the standard ones good enough.
Not to sure whats available at my range but looking to try next Saturday so any help would be appreciated.
Dewey

[WV Scrounger]

Since it is a brass frame...it would be wise to shoot light loads. Try 15- 25 grains of 2f goex. Constantly shooting heavier loads will stretch you frame and make your gun unshootable.
  If you are new to BP shooting....do alot of reading.
It is the best way to learn!

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Howdy Deputy.

Ya got a couple bad things goin for ya.  First, the brass frame.  Secondly, the 777 powder.  Trip 7 is about 10% MORE powerful than real BP, so be VERY careful.  It also doesn't like compression.

Iffn it were me, I'd try a load of about 20 grains - at most.  Now those BP guns powder measurements are measured by volume, so a spout marked 20 grs. will probably throw between 16 & 17.5 gr. loads.  That's OK!  You want to take it easy.  I assume that since you said it was a Pietta Sheriff, so it's one of the 5.5" barrels, right?  On an historical note, that gun didn't exist.  You might need to add a wad or 2 or even fillers (grits, cornmeal, oatmeal, etc) to get things right.

Whatever you decide to do. do it safely and have FUN!

Up at the top of the page is a section, separate from this, called "The Dark Arts."  There's a LOT of good info there.

[Steel Horse Bailey]

By the way, as far as conversions go .... basically forget it.  The frame isn't really strong enough.

[Paladin UK]

Fer deputy dewey .....

Nice ta see `nother `Brit` on the wire

As has been mentioned DONT use 777 `specially as ya gotta brass frame, iffn they wont letcha shoot the real stuff indoors use Pyrodex `P`       `aint as good a the Holy Black but it wont blow yer new Sheriff ta bits!! Oh `n stick ta balls DONT use conicals they `up the anti` as well
Hope this helps

Paladin (What lurvs the Holy Black ) UK

[deputy dewey]

Hi
Thanks Pards
I'll take it easy with the loads.
PUK theres a few of us about, just shot a couple of western comps with my nitro converted (my humble apologisies) 1860s and the missus with her converted cattlemen (apologisies again) but what a blast ,we both had a great time. Gonna be shooting a lot more in the future, best shooting ive had since the good old days wish i'd got into it sooner.
Met some really good people including Angel Eyes from here and his pard Mule.

[Paladin UK]

Fer deputy dewey ....

Glad ta here yer enjoyin yerownself, I can assure you the pards here will make you feel `right at home`
Cas City is one of the friendliest forums on the net  

Have ya joined the BWSS?

Paladin (What lurvs this forum  ) UK

[deputy dewey]

Paladin
Sure have both me and the missus been members  of the BWSS for the last year or so but getting together all the guns for two of us took a bit longer than i had hoped so it was our first shoot this Feb. Bit of a trekk up north for the first but not so far for the one at Leek. Got another long trip up north again in a couple of weeks Cardiff to Grimsby about 6 hours including stops i reckon.
Heres a link to some pics of the Leek comp if your interested.
http://community.webshots.com/album/570351487CCihnd
Maybe get to see you at a shoot oneday

[Paladin UK]

Fer deputy dewey ..

I will be at the Outdoor shoot in Kent ( I HATE shootin indoors) .......  May16th-17th. My health doesn't allow me loooong journeys any more 
Hope to see you there

Paladin (What Lurvs the HB  ) UK

[deputy dewey]

Yep
We'll both be there, thats me and the missus, all things being as planned