Cap & Ball Shooting

[Paladin UK]

Ho SC....

Here ya go pard...

The canister holds 18 `nuff fer a 9 stage match!!

It saves sooo much bother at the loading table `n loading at home ya know every charge is correct

Paladin (What lurvs his chargers) UK

[Cemetery]

Have not been able to get the Ballistol, around here to try it.
Keep your powder dry
Shawnee

I know a few BP shooters you just use quality mineral oil from the drug store, but I don't know what they mean by 'quality' mineral oil, maybe a purity level?

[rifle]

I know what they mean about the mineral oil. It's the kind some people take a spoonful once in awhile os they can move the ole bowls easier.Medicinal mineral oil. Supposed to be so refined the fact it's petroleum based doesn't matter. Someone way back had his Pard who worked in a science lab anylalize SPG Lube(some thunkit the best lube) and found the secrete ingredient that makes it work well is medicinal mineralol. Maybe that is why in the beginning it as said that the lube was eatable.


That loading set up by PUK is really something. Never seen anything like that.  That is really something. Looks well made and designed well.  If someone made one of those powder dispensers about three feet long it would be the fist step in making a cap&ball revolver gattling gun.   Leave it to the Englishman to come up with that type of innovation. Hat off to yas PUK.

Someone like the people who make Wonder Seals(lube pills sold out of Cabelas) may grab that idea and run with it all the way to the bank. I think it's cool they make the Wonder Seals and they seem to work in all types of weather too. I bought some just to test them since I been pushin lube pills for so many years. Lube Pills can be a Cowboy Shooters best friend after the set up like PUK showed.

I like the powder dispenser I have that I got from Cabelas or somewhere like that.....for the Walker. Stick it in the chamber(the spout part of the flask) and press down and the powder goes in the amount you set it fer. Alas one chamber at a time since it's used with the cylinder still in the Colt. I Can't remember since I fixed it to work and set it aside years ago even though I really like it but...it drops only 40 grainds of powder max and I use 45 gr.in the walker.
I got a Zouave flask that has the spring on top and the lil lever to fill the interchanable spouts so I get the 45 gr. of powder fer the Walker or even more fer a rifle. The Zouave flask is BIG. Lots of powder fer shootin fer awhile.

Anywhooooo.....after seeing the innovation shown here fer loadin the cap&ballers I feel inferior. Inferior since I load up the cap&ballers standing anywhere and pullin the loadins from my leather rig strapped on my skeleton. I guess I could say I adapted myself into a loadin table. A human loadin table walkin and talkin and shootin rabbits and ground hogs(wood chucks) and plinkin at those danged faster than greased lightning coyotee . A fearsom sight walkin the woods and any rock,stump, old tree,fence post or home invader runs in mortal terror at the sight of me and my hound comin their way...........Belchin flames and clouds of black powder smoke all the way there and home.

Sometimes........even carrying a double barreled blackpowder shotgun that has a pattern wide enough to take out a whole Brigade of enemy sheeters or deer flies. The only safe place when that shotgun fires is right where it's aimed since the pattern is a wide donut shaped deal with the lead shot never in the center of the pattern. Good deal fer an old slow Hombre that can get the game anyway by being a bad shot with the gun. The only way to hit anything with it is to be shootin high,low,left or right.

Anywhoooo...I'm thunkin bout trappin a wheeled loadin table to my hound to pull around fer me out in the woods and fields. One problem.....can I catch him to get to my loadin table strapped behind him if he gets on a scent and goes to soundin off and runnin away?
I guess the design would evolve into a cart I would ride on and get pulled around sos I can stay with the loadin table. I'd have to learn like the Civil War Veterans in the Calvary did and load while speeding across bumpy terrain with the wind blowin and the tree branches slappin me in the face and all.

That type thing would disrupt a CASS match fer sure with people chasin me and the hound cart around to throw me off the property cause the hound would be scentin after some female dog that walked across the range nearlier in the day.

Some Cowboys would want me to stay sos they could start a new game bout shootin at a moving target.

Anywhoooo....I wonder if I could use my field set up with the leather rig and all the stuff strapped to me and load up fast enough to then go pick up the brass from the littering cartridge shooters or man the loadin table. Maybe I could reload while manning the loadin table.

I'd probably get thrown out of the game fer cussin or something because people would keep distracting me while I was trying to reload.
I could make a cart with some parts and gunsmithin tools and fix cap&baller revolvers fer the Hombre needin help with that.

I better get going since I'm gettin wacky and nothing to add that's pertaining to this thread septin.....those lil red things called cap guards sold at Black Powder supply retailers are really good fer keeping the caps on yer gun while firing. Really neat lil things. Go on easy...come off easy and....keep the spent caps on the nipples. The caps don't flay open or fall off or hang anything up when usin the cap guards. Lil red rubber band type things that don't melt from the heat.

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Here ya go, rifle Don't get intimidated, just click anywhere on this mess! Someone posted a thread on thia awhile back but my search crapped out.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=36+round+revolver&tbm=isch&imgil=vmTZLM7Nz2Vn4M%253A%253Bhttps%253A%252F%252Fencrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com%252Fimages%253Fq%253Dtbn%253AANd9GcS-jqhapgJgRERSLcX3c3ESe6STKmFhE7uyAjMjVTvi6g6yDvkp%253B640%253B486%253BnW15ORNsdnOASM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fneveryetmelted.com%25252F2010%25252F11%25252F24%25252Frube-goldbergs-48-shot-revolver%25252F&source=iu&usg=__cwobRWB8wZSa-waVNoCFwgb1pXo%3D&sa=X&ei=0XyxU_OdMoyJogSnl4CYCw&ved=0CGUQ9QEwCQ&biw=1025&bih=463#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=vmTZLM7Nz2Vn4M%253A%3BnW15ORNsdnOASM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252F2.bp.blogspot.com%252F_3QqO8EXd-II%252FTOzji5pUMuI%252FAAAAAAAA6VE%252F-DUQNgFK-xs%252Fs1600%252Fwtf.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fneveryetmelted.com%252F2010%252F11%252F24%252Frube-goldbergs-48-shot-revolver%252F%3B640%3B486

[rifle]

Thank you Sir Charles. 

[Bruce W Sims]

You folks have me a little nervous. I know that what you are talking about is competition and
I don't really have any interest in that. I have yet to make my first trip to a range with my Black powder pistol and
I expect to have a nice relaxed afternoon of shooting and reloading, Please tell me that I won't
catch some flack from the range boss for setting up shop on the range. I know some folks want to see how fast they can do this or that but for me the enjoyment is in the doing and not just hitting targets. Hope this makes sense.

Best Wishes,

Bruce

[rifle]

I know what you are relaying about the "doing" and not the targets Bruce. Especially since yer headin out fer the first time to "get to shootin" with yer cap&baller revolver.

Best to take your time and execute the proceedure properly and enjoy the experience. You only get to shoot the gun "for the first time" once.

In time the need to get the lead on target will over come you and that will be an added source of enjoyment......or dispair and agony.   Depends a lot on how you got over the first part concerning the loading and all.

I'm sure you did yer home work about the proceedure so you'll get over the first hill rather quickly I'd guess.

Hope you have plenty of ,"beginners luck".  I don't thunk yer going to let yer expectations run too high so you most likely won't be disappointed.


Don't worry about setting up shop at the range.  If anyone notices at all what yer doing(till the first smoke difts over the range) they will just thunk you are well prepared. 

I hope you see soon enough that "keepin it simple and right to the point" is a good way to go. Don't make things overly complicated.

Hey you never know you might end up competing at some "Cowboy" matches some day.

Remember to clean yer gun well after the shootin. Gotta take care of that iron. That's part of the enjoyment also.

[Noz]

I know what you are relaying about the "doing" and not the targets Bruce. Especially since yer headin out fer the first time to "get to shootin" with yer cap&baller revolver.

Best to take your time and execute the proceedure properly and enjoy the experience. You only get to shoot the gun "for the first time" once.

In time the need to get the lead on target will over come you and that will be an added source of enjoyment......or dispair and agony.   Depends a lot on how you got over the first part concerning the loading and all.

I'm sure you did yer home work about the proceedure so you'll get over the first hill rather quickly I'd guess.

Hope you have plenty of ,"beginners luck".  I don't thunk yer going to let yer expectations run too high so you most likely won't be disappointed.


Don't worry about setting up shop at the range.  If anyone notices at all what yer doing(till the first smoke difts over the range) they will just thunk you are well prepared. 

I hope you see soon enough that "keepin it simple and right to the point" is a good way to go. Don't make things overly complicated.

Hey you never know you might end up competing at some "Cowboy" matches some day.

Remember to clean yer gun well after the shootin. Gotta take care of that iron. That's part of the enjoyment also.

Chances are that you will draw a crowd of curious on lookers wanting to know what you are doing.  Be prepared for some "questions".  I've had shooters that have been around for a while come and watch me load.  Some say they have never seen it done before.

ENJOY!

[Bruce W Sims]

Many thanks for the encouragement....

BTW: I was over at Bass Pro yesterday looking over what they had on the shelf. There was a tin with a screw top marked "Pellets" and indications that it was for muzzleloaders. I seem to recall that they were marked .44. For the folks who are talking about being able to load a pistol quickly are these an option or am I mixing apples and oranges. Thoughts?

Best Wishes,

Bruce

[Pettifogger]

The only one that makes pellets for a C&B revolver is Pyrodex.  Just because something is marked ".44" doesn't mean it will work.  .44 C&B revolvers are actually .45s.  The Pyrodex pellets are expensive, they are marked 30 grain loads but feel much stouter and a lot of people hate Pyrodex because it is supposed to cause rust quicker than real BP or other subs.  They are quicker to load, but you seldom see anyone using them even during a match.

[Noz]

Many thanks for the encouragement....

BTW: I was over at Bass Pro yesterday looking over what they had on the shelf. There was a tin with a screw top marked "Pellets" and indications that it was for muzzleloaders. I seem to recall that they were marked .44. For the folks who are talking about being able to load a pistol quickly are these an option or am I mixing apples and oranges. Thoughts?

Best Wishes,

Bruce

What Pettifogger said! Not a good choice.  I'll bet a bunch that there is no one in that BassPro store that knows diddlysquat about a black powder revolver.

[Slowhand Bob]

Do not be discouraged if things do not go smoothly at first.  I can not count the number f times that problems plagued me on first outing with new guns.  A cap has to fire, powder must be ignited and a ball will, only then, hopefully exit the barl!  Seems pretty compact and simple BUT all sorts of things can stop the plan from working.  In time you will learn what to have with you on those 'new gun' outings to give you a better chance to make some smoke.  Clean dry nipples and chambers plus a little bit of fine copper wire will give you a great chance at making that all important spark connection.  I always dip a pipe cleaner in alcohol to clean the nipples before shooting and the copper wire can lengthen the nipple in a pinch.  Ill bet these guys can give you a lot more tips which can save a trip to the range with an untried gun.

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

I shot the first six stages of a 10 stage match in Victoria, So far not too bad, but not totally clean.  I use .357 mag cases to hold 20 grains of 3Fg with a .375 ball pressed on top. When its time to load, thumb the ball off, dump the powder into the chamber, home-made lubed wad pressed over the powder, place the ball & ram. Almost as fast as it took me to type this. Cap with a straight-line capper.

At first our posse kept to a rigid shooting order. We have evolved to a shoot when ready order, which is best for me.  I start to load as soon as I arrive at the stage area and complete the procedure so I get to shoot about fourth. After shooting, I get my posse duties done.

Back tomorrow to complete the match, and I will try to go clean. 

[Coffinmaker]

I spent a goodly number of years with unkind propel shooting at me.  There were necessary and compelling reasons to be able to reload quickly.  For that, I had magazines.  All I could carry.  I don't need to do that anymore.  SO:
I switched to Cap Guns because it is challenging and more fun than cartridge guns.
I learned to make them just as reliable as cartridge guns.
I learned to use a cylinder loading stand to reload.  I do that at the unloading table while I watch cartridge shooters learn to count to five.  If someone else has the unloading table, I use the top of my possibles box a  my cart.  I carry a stool and an umbrella.
I DO NOT under any circumstances let anyone rush me.  I can be a really mean SOB.
This game is suppose to be FUN.  Don't let anyone bully you  and take your time to get your reload right, then go play posse.  This game is not suppose to be a race.  If folks find me in their way, I afford the  the opportunity to pass and shoot ahead of me.  If they choose to attempt to bully me, I afford them the opportunity to GO HOME.
Safely having fun I'd the Marta of this game and some need to be reminded, it's only a game.  Relax, smell a flower, ogle others guns.
Share toys and play nice

Coffinmaker

[Bruce W Sims]

Thanks C-M:
I think we are probably cut from the same cloth. I still have an SKS at home if I wanted to go banging through a lot of ammo.
What you mentioned is a lot closer to what I had in mind. I was shopping for a holster for my Dragoon and came across a leatherman who had actually made a belt with huge loops on it so a person could pre-load 4 or 5 cylinders and just switchout
the empties. Really? What the hell is that?  Since I don't have Johnny Reb trying to run my butt back North, my plan is to take my time and enjoy the whole shooting experience. As you say, I'll know I have made my goal when my hits out-number my mis-fires. Other than that, its all good.

BTW: Been reading a lot of things about problems with the caps and the nipples. Is there something I should know about this issue before I head out to the range? I thought the #11 were supposed to be a pretty decent friction fit. Now I hear that if I am not careful I could wind-up with a jam that might require me to tear my little puppy apart. Thoughts?


Best Wishes,

Bruce

[rifle]

You gotta do a lil trial and error and find the type caps that fit the cones of the nipples. The caps finding their way into the hammer channel and then the action parts is something that happens without some slight modification if needed.
A stiffer mainspring can help a lot. The Treso nipples with smaller holes in them can help.

A nominal powder charge can help. Max loads will be more likely to spit caps around. Lower the charge if the problem is there to see where the gun likes the charge amount without spitting or splitting caps.

Look around where the blackpowder accessories are sold. Traditions.....ect.ect. and look fer the "rain gear"as they call it. Where the black rubber muzzle guards are to keep water out of the muzzle of a rifle you'll most likely see in the pics of the stuff the lil pink/red semi-clear "CAP GUARDS" that go on the nips after the cap is set on. The lil cap guards are to keep water out of there but....they make the caps stay put and not split apart and there's no problem with flying caps shards or caps getting in the action when the cap guards are on there. Fan the revolver as fast as you want and the caps stay on and don't impede the action any at all.

The lil cap guards are a one time used deal. One on the nip and after the chamber fires you pull the spent cap and the cap guard off and toss them. The lil cap guards are real easy to use and go on nice and easy.

[Bruce W Sims]

Many thanks....I'll keep an eye open for them.....

[Pay Dirt Norvelle]

I found the cap guards on E-bay and the price was pretty good.  Sorry I don't remember the vendor's name though.

[Bruce W Sims]

Ya know.... it DOES make me wonder, though, how those cavalry guys kept things together
bouncing all over Gawd's Half-acre on the back of a horse. I've seen "The Horse Soldiers" about
a gazillion times and not one of Big John's men--- not one guy in the entire brigade--- had a misfire.
I want one of THOSE C&P!  Probably made by the same guy who brought us the never-empty
Peace-maker of the 1960-s TV Westerns, right? ;-)

Best Wishes,

Bruce

[Slowhand Bob]

 Two different wars, the hollywood civil war, as fought in by JW, was well after the advent of the great cartridge era.  The much earlier American civil war was a much messier and bloodier occurrence.  I have heard that on several occasions that battle dates were actually juggled by the generals to avoid rainy weather(?)