Safety "Tip"!

ZVP · April 22, 2014, 07:12 PM

Some of my BP Revolvers shoot better with a "filler" like Cream of Wheat to keep their Balls close to the Forcing Cone for best accuracy.
One day while positioned in the middle of the tables at the Pistol Range, I got confused if I loaded the previous cylinder or not?
Now I HATE to look down into a loaded chamber, so I added just a few flakes of COW atop the powder to show the powder level in dim lit conditions.
Just a few flakes out of a scoop lights the chamber like it was in the sunshine!
I also carry a small flashlight to check for a loaded chamber in dim light.
Gotta use all the tricks we can the older we get!
HTH,
ZVP

MattShlock · April 22, 2014, 08:39 PM

Grits -- it's all they're really good for anyway. Banana Instant Cream of Wheat is a distant second!

Kappe · April 22, 2014, 09:00 PM

What's wrong with looking down at a loaded C&B cylinder without caps?

If you're concerned about an ember setting it off, I highly doubt an ember would wait until after you've packed powder and ball down to go off.

mykeal · April 22, 2014, 10:25 PM

Some of us just have this natural aversion to looking into charged chambers. No good reason for it - it's just the way we are.

ZVP · April 23, 2014, 12:38 AM

Yea, like HE said!
ZVP

g.willikers · April 23, 2014, 11:07 AM

Why not just use the loading lever to check if there's anything in the chamber?

Doc Hoy · April 23, 2014, 11:21 AM

you might try lighting a match.

.

.

.

.... That was a joke, guys.

maillemaker · April 23, 2014, 03:06 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcOmPomxTlQ

Steve

44 Dave · April 23, 2014, 05:45 PM

DSCN5476Copy.jpg
Can you tell if this one is loaded?
Yes! all 6 hammer back and finger on trigger.
Charged with 20 gr powder and a newly cast (shinny) round ball, but not capped.
Technically charged but not loaded.

Kappe · April 23, 2014, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Can you tell if this one is loaded?

Doesn't look like it. I think I can see the inside face of the nipples which are slightly offset... Could be wrong though.
It would be easier to tell in person, as it would be a simple matter of depth perception.

bedbugbilly · April 23, 2014, 07:35 PM

I like Doc's idea . . .

Or, you could just throw another load in . . . if it already DOES have one load in, slip a piece of pipe over you loading lever to give you extra leverage so you can get that ball squeezed in! If that doesn't work . . . get a bigger hammer . . .

And hey . . . there's noting wrong with grits! I start my day out everyday with a bowl of 'em. You just have to develop a taste for 'em.

**4V50 Gary** · April 23, 2014, 07:56 PM

I use farina. It's over twenty years old and ready for launching.

ZVP · April 25, 2014, 10:39 PM

Seriously now, OK?
It's not wise to place ones self in front of a un-fired cylinder. I don't take safety lightly and you all shouldn't make such play about it! I
m trying to help both new and old shooters take a safe route in checking the revolver to prevent a dangerous situation so lets try and be safe, OK? ANything can be used to feel for the full chamber.
I use the COW to light-up the top level of the powder in the chamber and if I skipped loading powder in it.
Whenever I think that I may have skipped a chamber due to double cocking or a lost cap. I have a long Golf Tee that I reach around in front of the cylinder to check for a ball.
Yea I know we all clown around and I respect that so please respect my little attempt at suggesting safe ways to check your gun, OK?
ZVP

ZVP · April 25, 2014, 10:48 PM

The salesperson told me it's been over 2 Months since My near-by Bass Pro's has had any percussion caps!
Today just for the fun of it, my Brother in Law and I went looking for Caps and some reloading components. BINGO! they had #11's!
I picked up a 1/2 dozen tins so I have some on hand also to leave some on the shelf for other shooters too. Thaqt figgures out to less caps than a pound of powder needs.
Yea, I could've bought em all but we need to stop panic buying sometime!!!
It's up to each of us to help the other guy out and leave some stock for him!
Gotta stop this craziness somehow!
ZVP

Kappe · April 26, 2014, 07:24 AM

Did my post just get deleted...?

MIOkie · April 26, 2014, 10:08 AM

One's own specific loading routine, consistently repeated, will help to ensure safety.

Doing the same thing, every time, should help avoid getting out of rhythm.

I dump the powder in the chamber, place the felt wad over that, then seat it and leave the rammer in while I dump powder and place the wad in the next one. When they are all charged then I go back around and seat the balls. Caps go on last. My routine.

I avoid loading in dimly lit areas or in places with a lot of distractions. I need to be focused on the task at hand.

As for humor... I always make sure I have plenty of that handy.

Erno86 · April 26, 2014, 01:19 PM

I like to use a empty 357 shell casing, in order to load black powder and Instant Cream of Wheat in my chambers, for my Ruger Old Army .

On snow covered days at the range...the chickadee's love to eat my spent Cream of Wheat, after it's been shot thru my pistol.

ZVP · April 27, 2014, 01:02 PM

Rhis has been a good thread!
I didn't mean not to have fun posting. but to also heed safety if they come up, OK?
Yea I find dark areas hard to see the charges, that's why the sprinkle of COW. A little flashlight is even needed sometimes,
I hate pulling balls out of an uncharged chamber!!!
Well I got some cps and I'm ready to go make smoke! Gotta load my gear up and hit the road!
BPDave

swathdiver · April 28, 2014, 04:07 AM

What could possibly go wrong when peaking down the chamber fellas?

mykeal · April 28, 2014, 05:44 PM

Probably nothing. In fact, very likely nothing. But...

There's a place at the Grand Canyon where you can walk on a clear floor out over the canyon rim and look straight down into the canyon. No matter how I try to convince myself that nothing can happen, I still don't like to do that.

I don't like to look down a barrel or into a chamber with a ball and powder in it. Simple as that.

Hawg · April 28, 2014, 07:10 PM

Quote:

I don't like to look down a barrel or into a chamber with a ball and powder in it. Simple as that.

It doesn't bother me.

Bob Wright · April 28, 2014, 09:25 PM

MattShlock said:

Quote:

Grits -- it's all they're really good for anyway. Banana Instant Cream of Wheat is a distant second!

Now hold on there! I enjoy my bowl of grits with coarse ground black pepper and cut up pieces of Jack Link's peppered beef jerky. Sometimes topped with cheese. Or ham and red-eye gravy!

Much as I hate to say so, you sort of come across as a yankee!

Bob Wright

44 Dave · April 28, 2014, 10:50 PM

Can't imagine how any one can load a c&b revolver with out being able to see part way in the cylinder, not all of the way to the bottom maybe.
I always load after setting out the exact number of bullets and wads. With my old fingers I have a short dowel to straighten out the occasional crooked wad and can use it to "feel" the powder.
After charging I count out the caps and just start the caps on the nipples then push them home with the dowel as my right thumb isn't too good either.
Yes I suppose if lightning were to strike some where in the operation You could get some powder burns but the bullets would never get you in the head!

PS: if you would shoot a .36 Navy you could save your grits!

April 23, 2014, 11:07 AM	#6
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	Why not just use the loading lever to check if there's anything in the chamber? __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

April 23, 2014, 11:21 AM	#7
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	If you don't have a flashlight to see into the chamber.... you might try lighting a match. . . . .... That was a joke, guys. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

April 23, 2014, 05:45 PM	#9
44 Dave Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2013 Posts: 584	DSCN5476Copy.jpg Can you tell if this one is loaded? Yes! all 6 hammer back and finger on trigger. Charged with 20 gr powder and a newly cast (shinny) round ball, but not capped. Technically charged but not loaded. Last edited by 44 Dave; April 23, 2014 at 10:44 PM.

April 23, 2014, 07:56 PM	#12
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,838	I use farina. It's over twenty years old and ready for launching. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

April 25, 2014, 10:48 PM	#14
ZVP Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2009 Posts: 1,102	Finally! Percussion Caps! The salesperson told me it's been over 2 Months since My near-by Bass Pro's has had any percussion caps! Today just for the fun of it, my Brother in Law and I went looking for Caps and some reloading components. BINGO! they had #11's! I picked up a 1/2 dozen tins so I have some on hand also to leave some on the shelf for other shooters too. Thaqt figgures out to less caps than a pound of powder needs. Yea, I could've bought em all but we need to stop panic buying sometime!!! It's up to each of us to help the other guy out and leave some stock for him! Gotta stop this craziness somehow! ZVP

April 22, 2014, 07:12 PM	#1
ZVP Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2009 Posts: 1,102	Safety "Tip"! Some of my BP Revolvers shoot better with a "filler" like Cream of Wheat to keep their Balls close to the Forcing Cone for best accuracy. One day while positioned in the middle of the tables at the Pistol Range, I got confused if I loaded the previous cylinder or not? Now I HATE to look down into a loaded chamber, so I added just a few flakes of COW atop the powder to show the powder level in dim lit conditions. Just a few flakes out of a scoop lights the chamber like it was in the sunshine! I also carry a small flashlight to check for a loaded chamber in dim light. Gotta use all the tricks we can the older we get! HTH, ZVP

April 22, 2014, 08:39 PM	#2
MattShlock Senior Member Join Date: April 8, 2013 Posts: 251	Grits -- it's all they're really good for anyway. Banana Instant Cream of Wheat is a distant second!

April 22, 2014, 09:00 PM	#3
Kappe Senior Member Join Date: May 28, 2013 Location: New Jersey Posts: 149	What's wrong with looking down at a loaded C&B cylinder without caps? If you're concerned about an ember setting it off, I highly doubt an ember would wait until after you've packed powder and ball down to go off.

April 22, 2014, 10:25 PM	#4
mykeal Senior Member Join Date: October 8, 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 2,772	Some of us just have this natural aversion to looking into charged chambers. No good reason for it - it's just the way we are.

April 23, 2014, 12:38 AM	#5
ZVP Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2009 Posts: 1,102	Yea, like HE said! ZVP

April 23, 2014, 03:06 PM	#8
maillemaker Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2010 Posts: 1,635	http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcOmPomxTlQ Steve

April 23, 2014, 07:35 PM	#11
bedbugbilly Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2009 Posts: 3,287	I like Doc's idea . . . Or, you could just throw another load in . . . if it already DOES have one load in, slip a piece of pipe over you loading lever to give you extra leverage so you can get that ball squeezed in! If that doesn't work . . . get a bigger hammer . . . And hey . . . there's noting wrong with grits! I start my day out everyday with a bowl of 'em. You just have to develop a taste for 'em. __________________ If a pair of '51 Navies were good enough for Billy Hickok, then a single Navy on my right hip is good enough for me . . . besides . . . I'm probably only half as good as he was anyways. Hiram's Rangers Badge #63

April 25, 2014, 10:39 PM	#13
ZVP Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2009 Posts: 1,102	Seriously now, OK? It's not wise to place ones self in front of a un-fired cylinder. I don't take safety lightly and you all shouldn't make such play about it! I m trying to help both new and old shooters take a safe route in checking the revolver to prevent a dangerous situation so lets try and be safe, OK? ANything can be used to feel for the full chamber. I use the COW to light-up the top level of the powder in the chamber and if I skipped loading powder in it. Whenever I think that I may have skipped a chamber due to double cocking or a lost cap. I have a long Golf Tee that I reach around in front of the cylinder to check for a ball. Yea I know we all clown around and I respect that so please respect my little attempt at suggesting safe ways to check your gun, OK? ZVP

April 26, 2014, 07:24 AM	#15
Kappe Senior Member Join Date: May 28, 2013 Location: New Jersey Posts: 149	Did my post just get deleted...?

April 26, 2014, 10:08 AM	#16
MIOkie Member Join Date: April 13, 2014 Location: NE Oklahoma Posts: 39	Safety...? One's own specific loading routine, consistently repeated, will help to ensure safety. Doing the same thing, every time, should help avoid getting out of rhythm. I dump the powder in the chamber, place the felt wad over that, then seat it and leave the rammer in while I dump powder and place the wad in the next one. When they are all charged then I go back around and seat the balls. Caps go on last. My routine. I avoid loading in dimly lit areas or in places with a lot of distractions. I need to be focused on the task at hand. As for humor... I always make sure I have plenty of that handy.

April 26, 2014, 01:19 PM	#17
Erno86 Senior Member Join Date: September 22, 2012 Location: Marriottsville, Maryland Posts: 1,739	I like to use a empty 357 shell casing, in order to load black powder and Instant Cream of Wheat in my chambers, for my Ruger Old Army . On snow covered days at the range...the chickadee's love to eat my spent Cream of Wheat, after it's been shot thru my pistol. __________________ That rifle hanging on the wall of the working class flat or labourer's cottage is the symbol of democracy. It is our job to see that it stays there." --- George Orwell

April 27, 2014, 01:02 PM	#18
ZVP Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2009 Posts: 1,102	Rhis has been a good thread! I didn't mean not to have fun posting. but to also heed safety if they come up, OK? Yea I find dark areas hard to see the charges, that's why the sprinkle of COW. A little flashlight is even needed sometimes, I hate pulling balls out of an uncharged chamber!!! Well I got some cps and I'm ready to go make smoke! Gotta load my gear up and hit the road! BPDave

April 28, 2014, 04:07 AM	#19
swathdiver Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 2012 Location: Treasure Coast, Florida Posts: 335	What could possibly go wrong when peaking down the chamber fellas? __________________ “Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.” - Job 38:3

April 28, 2014, 05:44 PM	#20
mykeal Senior Member Join Date: October 8, 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 2,772	Probably nothing. In fact, very likely nothing. But... There's a place at the Grand Canyon where you can walk on a clear floor out over the canyon rim and look straight down into the canyon. No matter how I try to convince myself that nothing can happen, I still don't like to do that. I don't like to look down a barrel or into a chamber with a ball and powder in it. Simple as that.

April 28, 2014, 10:50 PM	#23
44 Dave Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2013 Posts: 584	Can't imagine how any one can load a c&b revolver with out being able to see part way in the cylinder, not all of the way to the bottom maybe. I always load after setting out the exact number of bullets and wads. With my old fingers I have a short dowel to straighten out the occasional crooked wad and can use it to "feel" the powder. After charging I count out the caps and just start the caps on the nipples then push them home with the dowel as my right thumb isn't too good either. Yes I suppose if lightning were to strike some where in the operation You could get some powder burns but the bullets would never get you in the head! PS: if you would shoot a .36 Navy you could save your grits! Last edited by 44 Dave; April 28, 2014 at 11:23 PM.