The Correct Powder load

jmquinn05 · October 16, 2010, 03:15 PM

I am new to b/p and know almost nothing about it. I am building a CVA 1861 Colt Navy and when finished plan to shoot it as much as I can. The paper work that came with the gun is long gone so other than the gun I have nothing. Where do I find info on how much powder, what caps?

whipper · October 16, 2010, 04:45 PM

Welcome to The Firing line jmquinno5

The first link is to GOEX black powder and their recommendations for load charges
http://goexpowder.com/load-chart.html

This link is to CVA’s web page that has the manual for their revolvers.
http://www.cva.com/pdfs/RevolverWarrBook.pdf

Hope this helps.
BP is fun shootin

Be safe and have fun!

Hawg · October 16, 2010, 04:55 PM

IMHO 15 grs. tops for a brass frame. .375 balls and most likely #10 caps.

TnRebel · October 16, 2010, 05:55 PM

EXAMINE YOUR FIREARM CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU LOAD
Make sure it is clear of any obstructions and in proper working order. NEVER ASSUME IT IS OK.

NEVER DRY FIRE YOUR WEAPON. It ruins your nipple.
GRANULATIONS OF BLACK POWDER.

Fg A course grain black powder generally used for cannons.

FFG Used in rifles from .40 cal. to .69 and some large cal. single shot pistols.

FFFg Most commonly used powder for all muzzle loading rifles and pistols.

FFFFg A very fine powder used for priming flint locks.

SELECTING A BLACK POWDER
USE BLACK POWDER AND NOTHING ELSE IN ANY MUZZLE LOADING REVOLVER.

.31 CAL. COLT AND REMINGTON 13 GRAINS FFFg
.36 CAL. NAVY AND ARMY STYLE 15 TO 22 GRAINS FFFg
.44 CAL. NAVY AND ARMY STYLES 20 TO 30 GRAINS FFFg
.58 CAL. MUSKETS 60 GRAINS FFFg
.69 CAL. MUSKETS 60 GRAINS FFFg

FOR PISTOL REVOLVERS ONLY
When loading a cylinder with a ball a small ring of lead should shear from the side of the ball when depressed into the cylinder. If it does not the ball is too small.
SUGGESTED SIZES FOR REVOLVERS.
.31 CAL. .315 BALL
.36 CAL. .375 BALL
.44 CAL. .451 BALL

BALL SIZES FOR MUSKET
.58 CAL. .577 MINNIE BALL
.69 CAL. .678 ROUND BALL WITH A .010 PATCH
.69 CAL. .691 MINNIE BALL

SELECTING PERCUSSION CAPS
No. 11 percussion caps are most common for all pistols and Kentucky style rifles. Winged musket caps are used for all muskets and sharps.

Hawg · October 16, 2010, 06:18 PM

TN Rebel if you'd read his other post you'd know it was a brass framed kit. IMHO 22 grains is too much in a brass frame. And experience tells me that most revolvers take a #10 cap.

jmquinn05 · October 16, 2010, 08:06 PM

Sorry forgot to add its a 44 cal. When using less powder due to the brass fram do I need to add cornmeal?

Hawg · October 17, 2010, 08:49 AM

As long as the ball seats firmly on the powder you don't really need a filler.

October 16, 2010, 05:55 PM	#4
TnRebel Member Join Date: February 17, 2007 Location: Kingsport, Tn. Posts: 19	EXAMINE YOUR FIREARM CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU LOAD Make sure it is clear of any obstructions and in proper working order. NEVER ASSUME IT IS OK. NEVER DRY FIRE YOUR WEAPON. It ruins your nipple. GRANULATIONS OF BLACK POWDER. Fg A course grain black powder generally used for cannons. FFG Used in rifles from .40 cal. to .69 and some large cal. single shot pistols. FFFg Most commonly used powder for all muzzle loading rifles and pistols. FFFFg A very fine powder used for priming flint locks. SELECTING A BLACK POWDER USE BLACK POWDER AND NOTHING ELSE IN ANY MUZZLE LOADING REVOLVER. .31 CAL. COLT AND REMINGTON 13 GRAINS FFFg .36 CAL. NAVY AND ARMY STYLE 15 TO 22 GRAINS FFFg .44 CAL. NAVY AND ARMY STYLES 20 TO 30 GRAINS FFFg .58 CAL. MUSKETS 60 GRAINS FFFg .69 CAL. MUSKETS 60 GRAINS FFFg FOR PISTOL REVOLVERS ONLY When loading a cylinder with a ball a small ring of lead should shear from the side of the ball when depressed into the cylinder. If it does not the ball is too small. SUGGESTED SIZES FOR REVOLVERS. .31 CAL. .315 BALL .36 CAL. .375 BALL .44 CAL. .451 BALL BALL SIZES FOR MUSKET .58 CAL. .577 MINNIE BALL .69 CAL. .678 ROUND BALL WITH A .010 PATCH .69 CAL. .691 MINNIE BALL SELECTING PERCUSSION CAPS No. 11 percussion caps are most common for all pistols and Kentucky style rifles. Winged musket caps are used for all muskets and sharps. __________________ I AM A PROUD DESCENDANT OF A CONFEDERATE SOLDIER SCV Camp1387 and 1680 "Deo Vindice" SCV=Video http://www.scv.org/video/php Last edited by TnRebel; October 16, 2010 at 06:40 PM.

October 16, 2010, 08:06 PM	#6
jmquinn05 Member Join Date: September 14, 2010 Location: The State of Texas Posts: 23	Sorry forgot to add its a 44 cal. When using less powder due to the brass fram do I need to add cornmeal? __________________ "Running around like a bunch of chickens with their legs cut off." - Uncle Si

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October 16, 2010, 03:15 PM	#1
jmquinn05 Member Join Date: September 14, 2010 Location: The State of Texas Posts: 23	The Correct Powder load I am new to b/p and know almost nothing about it. I am building a CVA 1861 Colt Navy and when finished plan to shoot it as much as I can. The paper work that came with the gun is long gone so other than the gun I have nothing. Where do I find info on how much powder, what caps?

October 16, 2010, 04:45 PM	#2
whipper Member Join Date: March 3, 2006 Posts: 47	Welcome to The Firing line jmquinno5 The first link is to GOEX black powder and their recommendations for load charges http://goexpowder.com/load-chart.html This link is to CVA’s web page that has the manual for their revolvers. http://www.cva.com/pdfs/RevolverWarrBook.pdf Hope this helps. BP is fun shootin Be safe and have fun!

October 16, 2010, 04:55 PM	#3
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	IMHO 15 grs. tops for a brass frame. .375 balls and most likely #10 caps.

October 16, 2010, 06:18 PM	#5
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	TN Rebel if you'd read his other post you'd know it was a brass framed kit. IMHO 22 grains is too much in a brass frame. And experience tells me that most revolvers take a #10 cap.

October 17, 2010, 08:49 AM	#7
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	As long as the ball seats firmly on the powder you don't really need a filler.