.44 black powder for defense? - Page 2

Tom2 · October 7, 2008, 04:06 PM

SO what is the advantage, if you miss you can hide behind the smoke cloud? I know of a guy who used a .44 loaded with just wadding for noise and fire, he used to scare the chicken poop out of some guys who were trying to break into his garage at night-the blast and noise had them falling over each other to get away.

mike6975 · October 8, 2008, 07:37 AM

that's hillarious

,never thought of that one tom

Raider2000 · October 8, 2008, 10:00 AM

I thank God that the only thing I've had to dispatch with any of my C&B Revolvers in my home was a Raccoon that found it's way into my Trailer.

mike6975 · October 8, 2008, 10:13 AM

i'm from va. also richmond to be exact,what part are you from if you don't mind me askin?.

Respectfully,

mike

Raider2000 · October 8, 2008, 11:01 AM

I now live just west of Ferdericksburg but I used to live in Prince George co.

chwingnut · October 8, 2008, 12:45 PM

I have been shooting C&Bs for about 12 years and that is all I use for home defense. I shot a running coyote with a 3rd gen colt army at about 30 yrds took it down in 1. Not to mention a few wild dogs, I trust it next to me at night.

mike6975 · October 8, 2008, 07:22 PM

prince george ain't far from my area we used to play them every year in football,still fredericksburg is a ways away from me,the only time i visit it is when i have to submit plans for approval to the city,and it looks like a preety place,maybe we can get together one day and shoot?.

Respectfully,

mike

Raider2000 · October 8, 2008, 07:49 PM

That'd be cool.

noelf2 · October 9, 2008, 11:15 AM

Raider, Mike,

Me too??

Raider2000 · October 9, 2008, 11:38 AM

But ofcorse, be like the 3 Amegos.

Smokin_Gun · October 14, 2008, 05:12 AM

ChWingnut...I used to know a CB Radio operator that went by Wingnut... you be or been in the Mojave Desert? (Beastmaster)

SG

mike6975 · October 14, 2008, 05:30 PM

u too noelf2,sorry it took so long to get to you

mike

chwingnut · October 19, 2008, 11:15 PM

Smokin Gun.. Nope. Just a nickname a girl gave me about 12 yrs ago and my friends kept using it. I'm from Texas.

Smokin_Gun · October 19, 2008, 11:37 PM

Alright ChWingnut...rite proud ta meet ya!

SG

chwingnut · October 20, 2008, 12:00 AM

Nice to meet you. I hope to communicate with you again sometime.

jhenry · October 21, 2008, 08:02 PM

Well, they're pretty effective manstoppers, always have been. Unless forced by necessity however, I would never opt for my cap and ball over any of my modern guns for self or home defense.

That being said I will relate 2 local self defense shootings I have some knowledge of. In the first, the aggressor was quite legitimately shot through the torso with a 1860 Army, black, and a round ball at about 10 feet. Passed all the way through and the guy was talking all the way to the ER. In the second case, the one brother claimed self defense, the jury thought otherwise. He is out now and on parole. The offender shot his drunk belligerant brother through the sternum with a .44 Remington, black, and a roundball at about 3 feet. Dropped him like a sack of potatoes. The shooter drug his brother's body under a bush so he would be in the shade, took his girlfriend out on the town and to a fancy hotel for the night and turned himself in the next AM at the PD.

Families are tight here in the Ozarks. You just don't leave your kin out in the sun. That wouldn't do at all. Folks would talk and such.

simonkenton · October 21, 2008, 08:38 PM

In the first, the aggressor was quite legitimately shot through the torso with a 1860 Army, black, and a round ball at about 10 feet. Passed all the way through and the guy was talking all the way to the ER.

He was talking, but was he walking?
Did he live?

sundance44s · October 22, 2008, 07:18 AM

JHenry ..that was thoughtful of the guy to drag his bro to a shady spot to bleed out ...LOL ..nice guy .

jhenry · October 22, 2008, 03:30 PM

Simon Kenton, LOVE the name, great choice. I would bet you are an Allan Eckert fan.

Yes he lived and recovered OK. He was walking a little bit but he was kind of squinched up and moving away from the loud thing that hurt him.

nukeantz · November 28, 2009, 06:49 PM

I got a couple of boxes of .44 caliber/.451 diameter/ 137 grain swaged lead pistol balls and was wondering if anyone has any use for them?

Thanks,
Ken

Sulaco2 · November 30, 2009, 12:37 AM

Old Wild BIll wrote that he considered the round ball a much better man stopper than a pointed bullet, and he had some small experiance in the matter. Brings question to mind: how long can you leave a BP revolver loaded? As in sitting loaded and not attended too, BP being corrosive and all or only when fired with the by products being the problem? BP is also hydroscopic (draws water out of the air somewhat) so in a gun chamber capped by lead and a wad at one end and a fire cap at the other seems like it might sit for a while and still work. Maybe cover both ends with grease?
Just wondering

simonkenton · November 30, 2009, 11:59 AM

I have kept this beauty loaded for 3 years. This is in the humid NC mountains and I don't use much ac, I draw the humid air through the house all night long in the summer using fans.
I kept the gun in a drawer, and after 3 years it fired fine, all 5 cylinders.
fffg Goex black powder, .457 round balls, CCI caps.
No wax or grease over the cap or ball, no felt wad.
I have an 1860 Colt Army that I have kept loaded for 2 years, same load, fired fine all five cylinders.
No corrosion was caused to the cylinders.

tpelle · November 30, 2009, 12:21 PM

I've seen it recommended that one can (very carefully, I might add) drip candle wax around the caps to waterproof them, as well as around the seated balls.

Not sure how comfortable I'd be with the concept of using a burning candle in immediate proximity to a loaded black powder firearm - just sayin', that's what I've read.

simonkenton · November 30, 2009, 01:14 PM

There was a guy on one of these forums who sealed the caps and balls with beeswax.
He got a little piece of beeswax and rolled it back and forth between his thumb and finger until it softened up and made a long little "roll."
Then he took this roll of beeswax and carefully put it on top of the ball, and packed it in where it sealed between the lead and the cylinder wall.
Then, he made little bitty "rolls" and sealed the caps.

This guy put the cylinder underwater for 30 minutes and the gun still fired, all 5 cylinders!
I would try the beeswax trick, it certainly couldn't hurt anything, but I am getting such good results with no sealant at all that I just haven't messed with it.

Also I don't take these revolvers out in the woods, they just stay in the drawer.

Delmar · December 4, 2009, 03:30 AM

Quote:

I've seen it recommended that one can (very carefully, I might add) drip candle wax around the caps to waterproof them, as well as around the seated balls.

Not sure how comfortable I'd be with the concept of using a burning candle in immediate proximity to a loaded black powder firearm - just sayin', that's what I've read.

With a large round candle, you can blow it out and the pool of wax will remain liquid for a while, so you wouldn't need to deal with an open flame. There are also ways to melt wax, that do not involve an open flame at all.

October 7, 2008, 04:06 PM	#26
Tom2 Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 5,676	SO what is the advantage, if you miss you can hide behind the smoke cloud? I know of a guy who used a .44 loaded with just wadding for noise and fire, he used to scare the chicken poop out of some guys who were trying to break into his garage at night-the blast and noise had them falling over each other to get away. __________________ Your gun is like your nose, it is just wrong for someone else to pick it for you!

October 8, 2008, 07:37 AM	#27
mike6975 Senior Member Join Date: June 29, 2008 Posts: 104	that's hillarious,never thought of that one tom

October 8, 2008, 10:13 AM	#29
mike6975 Senior Member Join Date: June 29, 2008 Posts: 104	hey raider i'm from va. also richmond to be exact,what part are you from if you don't mind me askin?. Respectfully, mike

October 14, 2008, 05:12 AM	#36
Smokin_Gun Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 2005 Location: Mojave Desert, CA Posts: 1,195	ChWingnut...I used to know a CB Radio operator that went by Wingnut... you be or been in the Mojave Desert? (Beastmaster) SG __________________ "I Smoke Black Powder" "Favor an 1858 Remington" SGT. Smokin' Gun, Mosby's Rangers 43rd Virginia Cavalry C.S.A. SASS# 19634, ... Admin:http://blackpowdersmoke.com/oldcoots/index.php

October 14, 2008, 05:30 PM	#37
mike6975 Senior Member Join Date: June 29, 2008 Posts: 104	to noelf2 u too noelf2,sorry it took so long to get to you mike

October 8, 2008, 10:00 AM	#28
Raider2000 Senior Member Join Date: July 23, 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 719	I thank God that the only thing I've had to dispatch with any of my C&B Revolvers in my home was a Raccoon that found it's way into my Trailer.

October 8, 2008, 11:01 AM	#30
Raider2000 Senior Member Join Date: July 23, 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 719	I now live just west of Ferdericksburg but I used to live in Prince George co.

October 8, 2008, 12:45 PM	#31
chwingnut Junior Member Join Date: October 8, 2008 Posts: 4	I have been shooting C&Bs for about 12 years and that is all I use for home defense. I shot a running coyote with a 3rd gen colt army at about 30 yrds took it down in 1. Not to mention a few wild dogs, I trust it next to me at night.

October 8, 2008, 07:22 PM	#32
mike6975 Senior Member Join Date: June 29, 2008 Posts: 104	prince george ain't far from my area we used to play them every year in football,still fredericksburg is a ways away from me,the only time i visit it is when i have to submit plans for approval to the city,and it looks like a preety place,maybe we can get together one day and shoot?. Respectfully, mike

October 8, 2008, 07:49 PM	#33
Raider2000 Senior Member Join Date: July 23, 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 719	That'd be cool.

October 9, 2008, 11:15 AM	#34
noelf2 Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2008 Location: Stuart, VA Posts: 2,473	Raider, Mike, Me too??

October 9, 2008, 11:38 AM	#35
Raider2000 Senior Member Join Date: July 23, 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 719	But ofcorse, be like the 3 Amegos.

October 19, 2008, 11:15 PM	#38
chwingnut Junior Member Join Date: October 8, 2008 Posts: 4	Smokin Gun.. Nope. Just a nickname a girl gave me about 12 yrs ago and my friends kept using it. I'm from Texas.

October 19, 2008, 11:37 PM	#39
Smokin_Gun Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 2005 Location: Mojave Desert, CA Posts: 1,195	Alright ChWingnut...rite proud ta meet ya! SG __________________ "I Smoke Black Powder" "Favor an 1858 Remington" SGT. Smokin' Gun, Mosby's Rangers 43rd Virginia Cavalry C.S.A. SASS# 19634, ... Admin:http://blackpowdersmoke.com/oldcoots/index.php

October 20, 2008, 12:00 AM	#40
chwingnut Junior Member Join Date: October 8, 2008 Posts: 4	Nice to meet you. I hope to communicate with you again sometime.

October 21, 2008, 08:02 PM	#41
jhenry Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2006 Location: Ozarks Posts: 1,840	Well, they're pretty effective manstoppers, always have been. Unless forced by necessity however, I would never opt for my cap and ball over any of my modern guns for self or home defense. That being said I will relate 2 local self defense shootings I have some knowledge of. In the first, the aggressor was quite legitimately shot through the torso with a 1860 Army, black, and a round ball at about 10 feet. Passed all the way through and the guy was talking all the way to the ER. In the second case, the one brother claimed self defense, the jury thought otherwise. He is out now and on parole. The offender shot his drunk belligerant brother through the sternum with a .44 Remington, black, and a roundball at about 3 feet. Dropped him like a sack of potatoes. The shooter drug his brother's body under a bush so he would be in the shade, took his girlfriend out on the town and to a fancy hotel for the night and turned himself in the next AM at the PD. Families are tight here in the Ozarks. You just don't leave your kin out in the sun. That wouldn't do at all. Folks would talk and such. __________________ "A Liberal is someone who doesn't care what you do, as long as it's mandatory". - Charles Krauthammer

October 21, 2008, 08:38 PM	#42
simonkenton Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2008 Posts: 891	In the first, the aggressor was quite legitimately shot through the torso with a 1860 Army, black, and a round ball at about 10 feet. Passed all the way through and the guy was talking all the way to the ER. He was talking, but was he walking? Did he live?

October 22, 2008, 07:18 AM	#43
sundance44s Senior Member Join Date: February 6, 2006 Location: Hernando , Ms. Posts: 579	JHenry ..that was thoughtful of the guy to drag his bro to a shady spot to bleed out ...LOL ..nice guy .

October 22, 2008, 03:30 PM	#44
jhenry Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2006 Location: Ozarks Posts: 1,840	Simon Kenton, LOVE the name, great choice. I would bet you are an Allan Eckert fan. Yes he lived and recovered OK. He was walking a little bit but he was kind of squinched up and moving away from the loud thing that hurt him. __________________ "A Liberal is someone who doesn't care what you do, as long as it's mandatory". - Charles Krauthammer

November 28, 2009, 06:49 PM	#45
nukeantz Junior Member Join Date: May 3, 2009 Posts: 10	Buffalo bullet company I got a couple of boxes of .44 caliber/.451 diameter/ 137 grain swaged lead pistol balls and was wondering if anyone has any use for them? Thanks, Ken

November 30, 2009, 12:37 AM	#46
Sulaco2 Senior Member Join Date: June 5, 2005 Location: Seattle Posts: 1,247	Old Wild BIll wrote that he considered the round ball a much better man stopper than a pointed bullet, and he had some small experiance in the matter. Brings question to mind: how long can you leave a BP revolver loaded? As in sitting loaded and not attended too, BP being corrosive and all or only when fired with the by products being the problem? BP is also hydroscopic (draws water out of the air somewhat) so in a gun chamber capped by lead and a wad at one end and a fire cap at the other seems like it might sit for a while and still work. Maybe cover both ends with grease? Just wondering

November 30, 2009, 11:59 AM	#47
simonkenton Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2008 Posts: 891	I have kept this beauty loaded for 3 years. This is in the humid NC mountains and I don't use much ac, I draw the humid air through the house all night long in the summer using fans. I kept the gun in a drawer, and after 3 years it fired fine, all 5 cylinders. fffg Goex black powder, .457 round balls, CCI caps. No wax or grease over the cap or ball, no felt wad. I have an 1860 Colt Army that I have kept loaded for 2 years, same load, fired fine all five cylinders. No corrosion was caused to the cylinders.

November 30, 2009, 12:21 PM	#48
tpelle Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2009 Posts: 120	I've seen it recommended that one can (very carefully, I might add) drip candle wax around the caps to waterproof them, as well as around the seated balls. Not sure how comfortable I'd be with the concept of using a burning candle in immediate proximity to a loaded black powder firearm - just sayin', that's what I've read.

November 30, 2009, 01:14 PM	#49
simonkenton Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2008 Posts: 891	There was a guy on one of these forums who sealed the caps and balls with beeswax. He got a little piece of beeswax and rolled it back and forth between his thumb and finger until it softened up and made a long little "roll." Then he took this roll of beeswax and carefully put it on top of the ball, and packed it in where it sealed between the lead and the cylinder wall. Then, he made little bitty "rolls" and sealed the caps. This guy put the cylinder underwater for 30 minutes and the gun still fired, all 5 cylinders! I would try the beeswax trick, it certainly couldn't hurt anything, but I am getting such good results with no sealant at all that I just haven't messed with it. Also I don't take these revolvers out in the woods, they just stay in the drawer.