pietta conversion cylinder for the '58

North East Redneck · August 11, 2013, 09:41 PM

I have a Pietta 1858 steel frame on the way from a gunbroker auction. What is the best .45 Colt conversion cylinder to purchase for it? I don't care about price. Just want the best one for it.

Doc Hoy · August 12, 2013, 05:33 AM

So I am going to be following this thread.

spitpatch · August 12, 2013, 11:43 AM

Mike on Y- Tube has a great vid on conversion cyls.

Tidewater_Kid · August 12, 2013, 09:31 PM

I've had the Kenny Howell R&D version in .45 LC for ten years and it has always worked great. It looks cool and changing cylinders is a snap. I don't have a Krist, so can't comment on those.

TK

North East Redneck · August 13, 2013, 05:56 PM

I watched Mikes video. As always very well done. After watching I am leaning towards the R&D six shot. Either one looks well made and reliable. But six is better for me as it will be used at the range for punching paper.
TideWater- I will take your word for it. Guess I will look for an R&D. Also, what brand/weight rounds do you find to be best? I may attempt to reload my own at some point, but for now factory ammo is going to be all I shoot.

Tidewater_Kid · August 13, 2013, 08:20 PM

Back when I got mine I stuck with "cowboy" rounds. Several brands were around for SASS folks. Magtech and Ultramax. I load my own now. .45LC is easy to load and fun to shoot. You will go through too many to buy by the box!

TK

North East Redneck · August 13, 2013, 10:33 PM

Can you recommend a loading press? Best place to buy components? Which powder and what bullet?

Tidewater_Kid · August 13, 2013, 10:49 PM

I have a simple single stage Lee press. I use Trail Boss and Unique to load mine. I have purchased lead bullets and made my own. I use the Lee .452 255 gr SWC mold. I had brass from when I purchased boxes of loaded ammo. I have reloaded some of it 10 or more times. Remington makes good brass and it seems to be available. As far as purchasing components, it's luck of the draw these days. I think Midway has most of what you will need.

TK

P.S. I load .45LC for 3 different firearms. I load the pistols on the light side and the rifle with full house loads. That's the fun of reloading your own.

Doc Hoy · August 14, 2013, 04:56 AM

Titan reloading has Lee products.

I like the Lee multi position press.

I changed mine from three to four holes but that isn't necessary. Three holes gives you the decaper, the expander and the seater which doubles as a crimper.

I went to four holes because I was using the Lee Lube Sizer in the fourth hole.

I like a lighter bullet, the Lee mold 200 grain RNFP, but that is just me.

I had to go to a larger sizing die because I was getting a lot of lead left in the barrel with BP. Not so bad on the pistols but it is a problem with a rifle.

The Lee Lube sizer works pretty well. But I moved to a separate lube sizer (a Lyman 450) because it is a little less messy.

North East Redneck · August 14, 2013, 11:04 AM

Thank you guys for all the info.

noelf2 · August 14, 2013, 06:23 PM

I got an R&D for the pietta and a Howell's 5 shot for the carbine. Years ago I reloaded 45lc cases with bp, felt wad, and round balls, all by hand (no reloader). They shot well. Also for many years now I've been using a Lee 4 hole turret press I got from cabelas, and use 250gr RNFP bullets.

August 11, 2013, 09:41 PM	#1
North East Redneck Senior Member Join Date: June 6, 2012 Location: Berkshire Hills Posts: 741	pietta conversion cylinder for the '58 I have a Pietta 1858 steel frame on the way from a gunbroker auction. What is the best .45 Colt conversion cylinder to purchase for it? I don't care about price. Just want the best one for it. __________________ NRA Patron Member SAF Life Member GOAL Member

August 12, 2013, 05:33 AM	#2
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	I don't do conversions but I am thinking about starting.... So I am going to be following this thread. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

August 12, 2013, 11:43 AM	#3
spitpatch Senior Member Join Date: August 31, 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 171	Cyl Mike on Y- Tube has a great vid on conversion cyls.

August 13, 2013, 05:56 PM	#5
North East Redneck Senior Member Join Date: June 6, 2012 Location: Berkshire Hills Posts: 741	I watched Mikes video. As always very well done. After watching I am leaning towards the R&D six shot. Either one looks well made and reliable. But six is better for me as it will be used at the range for punching paper. TideWater- I will take your word for it. Guess I will look for an R&D. Also, what brand/weight rounds do you find to be best? I may attempt to reload my own at some point, but for now factory ammo is going to be all I shoot. __________________ NRA Patron Member SAF Life Member GOAL Member

August 13, 2013, 08:20 PM	#6
Tidewater_Kid Senior Member Join Date: July 3, 2005 Location: Alabama Posts: 925	Back when I got mine I stuck with "cowboy" rounds. Several brands were around for SASS folks. Magtech and Ultramax. I load my own now. .45LC is easy to load and fun to shoot. You will go through too many to buy by the box! TK Last edited by Tidewater_Kid; August 13, 2013 at 10:51 PM.

August 12, 2013, 09:31 PM	#4
Tidewater_Kid Senior Member Join Date: July 3, 2005 Location: Alabama Posts: 925	I've had the Kenny Howell R&D version in .45 LC for ten years and it has always worked great. It looks cool and changing cylinders is a snap. I don't have a Krist, so can't comment on those. TK

August 13, 2013, 10:33 PM	#7
North East Redneck Senior Member Join Date: June 6, 2012 Location: Berkshire Hills Posts: 741	Can you recommend a loading press? Best place to buy components? Which powder and what bullet? __________________ NRA Patron Member SAF Life Member GOAL Member

August 13, 2013, 10:49 PM	#8
Tidewater_Kid Senior Member Join Date: July 3, 2005 Location: Alabama Posts: 925	I have a simple single stage Lee press. I use Trail Boss and Unique to load mine. I have purchased lead bullets and made my own. I use the Lee .452 255 gr SWC mold. I had brass from when I purchased boxes of loaded ammo. I have reloaded some of it 10 or more times. Remington makes good brass and it seems to be available. As far as purchasing components, it's luck of the draw these days. I think Midway has most of what you will need. TK P.S. I load .45LC for 3 different firearms. I load the pistols on the light side and the rifle with full house loads. That's the fun of reloading your own.

August 14, 2013, 04:56 AM	#9
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	It has been a coupla months since I ought from them but... Titan reloading has Lee products. I like the Lee multi position press. I changed mine from three to four holes but that isn't necessary. Three holes gives you the decaper, the expander and the seater which doubles as a crimper. I went to four holes because I was using the Lee Lube Sizer in the fourth hole. I like a lighter bullet, the Lee mold 200 grain RNFP, but that is just me. I had to go to a larger sizing die because I was getting a lot of lead left in the barrel with BP. Not so bad on the pistols but it is a problem with a rifle. The Lee Lube sizer works pretty well. But I moved to a separate lube sizer (a Lyman 450) because it is a little less messy. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath. Last edited by Doc Hoy; August 14, 2013 at 05:18 AM.

August 14, 2013, 11:04 AM	#10
North East Redneck Senior Member Join Date: June 6, 2012 Location: Berkshire Hills Posts: 741	Thank you guys for all the info. __________________ NRA Patron Member SAF Life Member GOAL Member

August 14, 2013, 06:23 PM	#11
noelf2 Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2008 Location: Stuart, VA Posts: 2,473	I got an R&D for the pietta and a Howell's 5 shot for the carbine. Years ago I reloaded 45lc cases with bp, felt wad, and round balls, all by hand (no reloader). They shot well. Also for many years now I've been using a Lee 4 hole turret press I got from cabelas, and use 250gr RNFP bullets. __________________ Liberty and freedom often offends those who understand neither.