The Black Powder bug has bit me....

Kaliburz · February 4, 2019, 01:59 AM

Well, I have not been online here in a long time. It ended up being that way, life & little time... I was amazed that my info said I registered back in 2000 or 2001... wow... and less then 125 post to boot.

Any how, as the tittle says, the black powder bug has bit me... again. I had an old kit muzzle loader (45 cal) given to me while back, got it working, but not 100% "finished". It got parked into a corner... may have to go revisit it...sometime.

Any how, the B&C bug hit... ran accross a Ruger Old Army at a shop I frequent. It came home with me. Have yet to shoot it. I think my BP powder is old (forgot what it was, if it is true BP or other... friend gave it to me when we worked on that 45 cal BP rifle).

And just recently, found an Umberti 1858 BP carbine on Gunbroker..

. didn't look like it was fired in a while. LOL, had to use a hardwood dowel to pound the cylinder pin T to get it out. The pin was dragging on the barrel. Online research said that sometimes the "flat" on them is not flat enough & bind. This was rubbing right at the T part & underside of the barrel where the T sits. Hate to say it, but the backyard gunsmith took effect... medium & fine grit emery cloth, & 30 min later, said pin was removable by light hand pressure. And I used a flat steel plate with emery cloth. Not by hand...I layed the emery cloth on a steel plate & moved the pin to adjust its clearance. I was surprised that the flat part of said pin was NOT blues when I removed it.

Have yet to shoot it. Barrel looks dusty, so will clean it first. I noticed that Kirst has their 1858 Remington Pale Rider cylinder on sale. Granted, $400 is pricey just to shoot 45 ACP or 45 Colt... but it ia 2 cylinders & the cover....

arcticap · February 4, 2019, 12:28 PM

That black powder bug sure gives people the itch, eh?

AKexpat · February 4, 2019, 04:48 PM

Considerations?

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/19...colt-long-colt

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/10...g-colt-5-round

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/10...45-acp-5-round

Jim

**4V50 Gary** · February 5, 2019, 09:08 AM

I found you can have just as much if not more fun with a smokepole as you can with an AR. It costs a whole heckuva lot less too and the technology (for me) is fascinating.

Peashooterjoe · February 12, 2019, 07:28 PM

Well the bug hit you and cant have just one my wife calls it a powder disease. LOL Peashooterjoe

Pahoo · February 12, 2019, 08:13 PM

Quote:

The Black Powder bug has bit me....

Take comfort in the fact that it's a very friendly and rewarding BUG. I'm big into the Traditionals and associated history. I got the bug so bad/good that I do a bit of teaching. ……

Be Safe !!!

Driftwood Johnson · February 14, 2019, 03:02 AM

Howdy

Here is a terrific video about the Remington carbine done by Mike Beliveau.

Take note of what he says about NOT putting your hand in front of the cylinder.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yroLHtjFowI

I suggest if you want to shoot cartridges in it you look at the SIX SHOT 45 Colt cylinder offered by Taylors. Nobody else makes a six shot 45 caliber cylinder for the Remington 1858, only Taylors.

https://www.taylorsfirearms.com/acce...remington.html

I put one of these cylinders in my old EuroArms Remmie a long time ago, probably close to 20 years ago now.

I recommend this style of cylinder over the gated cylinders offered by Kirst. Because it is so quick to pop the cylinder out of a Remington, I did not feel the need for the gated version. The other thing is, because they lacked a raised bushing on the front of the cylinder, the 1858 design tends to bind up very quickly with BP fouling that works its way onto the cylinder pin. I find that a quick wipe of the cylinder face with a damp cloth every time I pop the cylinder out to reload keeps the fouling down and allows me to shoot one for quite a few rounds without it binding up.

T. O'Heir · February 15, 2019, 02:18 PM

Buy a copy of Lyman's BP Handbook and Reloading Guide(direct from Lyman). Shooting BP isn't remotely close to smokeless. Starting with it's loaded in grains by volume not mass.

SIGSHR · February 16, 2019, 02:18 PM

You could take up reenacting. We shoot a lot-but we don't have to worry about accuracy!

Kaliburz · February 16, 2019, 11:28 PM

Thanks for all the info.

For the Ruger Old Army, I went & picked up a Kirst Konverter when the ROA cylinders were on sale. Got two cylinders, 45 LC & 45 ACP.... for maximum versatility. I tried the ACP w/ some ball ammo (online folks say the ROA can handle it...) only shot 10 rounds. Saw an auction of 45 ACP lead, but missed it. It was Ultramax.... can't find any more LRN 45ACP. Oh well. Have yet to get 45LC... and I haven't tried the BP cylinder yet. The 10 rounds seemed to shoot high, but it was just at a can in a dry irrigation drain ditch next to the farm...not target paper...

The 1858 Carbine, still mulling if I want the 6 shot or 5. But, I didn't see that Taylor offered a 45ACP cylinder.... and the Kirst 45ACP tempts me....

And a guy at the gun shop said he had some 44 cal pistol Pyrodex pellets I could have. He bought it by mistake when buying for his muzzle loader...

bladesmith 1 · February 18, 2019, 02:20 PM

It sounds like the BP bug didn't bite too bad if all you're doing is using nitro cartridge loads, or are those 45 loads BP ? Try shooting those guns the way they were made to, with BP and a round ball or bullet loaded with the loading lever. You're going to be missing a lot of fun.

Pahoo · February 18, 2019, 03:45 PM

Quote:

It sounds like the BP bug didn't bite too bad if all you're doing is using nitro cartridge loads, or are those 45 loads BP ?

Well, some bugs bight and others sting. When I got bit, it was bad and now happy to say that I am contagious. …..

Be Safe !!!

Kaliburz · February 19, 2019, 07:05 PM

Oh, I will eventually. I was being "cheap" on the powder & shot.... so instead I bought the converstion cylinders.... go figure!

bladesmith 1 · February 20, 2019, 04:20 PM

OK. Is there something in the drinking water up there ?

2wheelwander · February 20, 2019, 07:16 PM

I recently had a Taylors Army given to me. Also just bought a Lee 20 lb pot. Won't be long till a .45 ball mold shows up. I plan on getting this one out when the weather turns nice again.

Hawg · February 21, 2019, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Oh, I will eventually. I was being "cheap" on the powder & shot.... so instead I bought the converstion cylinders.... go figure!

How did you figure cartridges would be cheaper?

Road_Clam · February 22, 2019, 07:56 PM

Don't get me wrong, I love everything guns, i'm mainly a long gun guy, and I enjoy bolts, semi's and levers. Belonging to a gun club is a poison ! I actually mean this in a jesting type statement. About 3 years ago I made the mistake of allowing a fellow club member to let me shoot his 1884 Trap Door loaded with the true "holy black" , I shot it and that unique smell, the huge cloud, and my aching shoulder and I was hooked. So jump to present day and i've got a 1874 Sharps 45-70, an 1884 TD , Harper's Ferry .58 cal flintlock pistol , 1858 Navy .44 C&B , and a .50 cal flintlock Pennsylvania. That true BP sulfur smell puts a smile on yer face every time the trigger is pulled !!

Hawg · February 23, 2019, 12:46 AM

Quote:

1858 Navy .44

Navies both Remington and Colt are .36 caliber. Pietta makes a Colt 51 in .44 but Colt never did. Just sayin.

Road_Clam · February 23, 2019, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hawg

Navies both Remington and Colt are .36 caliber. Pietta makes a Colt 51 in .44 but Colt never did. Just sayin.

Sorry Hawg for the misinformation, I have the Pietta repro 1858 Army in 44 cal C&B

bladesmith 1 · February 28, 2019, 03:52 PM

Be really cool and call them NMA 1863, the first year they were delivered. Before was Beals and Elliots revolvers that looked pretty much like the NMA, but weren't.

Hawg · February 28, 2019, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Be really cool and call them NMA 1863, the first year they were delivered. Before was Beals and Elliots revolvers that looked pretty much like the NMA, but weren't.

I'm afraid the 1858 moniker is stuck as hard and fast as .45 "Long" Colt is.

pwc · February 28, 2019, 08:10 PM

Go to castboolets.gunloads.com....muzzleloading / my black powder.

February 4, 2019, 01:59 AM	#1
Kaliburz Senior Member Join Date: August 2, 2000 Location: Northwest Posts: 128	The Black Powder bug has bit me.... Well, I have not been online here in a long time. It ended up being that way, life & little time... I was amazed that my info said I registered back in 2000 or 2001... wow... and less then 125 post to boot. Any how, as the tittle says, the black powder bug has bit me... again. I had an old kit muzzle loader (45 cal) given to me while back, got it working, but not 100% "finished". It got parked into a corner... may have to go revisit it...sometime. Any how, the B&C bug hit... ran accross a Ruger Old Army at a shop I frequent. It came home with me. Have yet to shoot it. I think my BP powder is old (forgot what it was, if it is true BP or other... friend gave it to me when we worked on that 45 cal BP rifle). And just recently, found an Umberti 1858 BP carbine on Gunbroker... didn't look like it was fired in a while. LOL, had to use a hardwood dowel to pound the cylinder pin T to get it out. The pin was dragging on the barrel. Online research said that sometimes the "flat" on them is not flat enough & bind. This was rubbing right at the T part & underside of the barrel where the T sits. Hate to say it, but the backyard gunsmith took effect... medium & fine grit emery cloth, & 30 min later, said pin was removable by light hand pressure. And I used a flat steel plate with emery cloth. Not by hand...I layed the emery cloth on a steel plate & moved the pin to adjust its clearance. I was surprised that the flat part of said pin was NOT blues when I removed it. Have yet to shoot it. Barrel looks dusty, so will clean it first. I noticed that Kirst has their 1858 Remington Pale Rider cylinder on sale. Granted, $400 is pricey just to shoot 45 ACP or 45 Colt... but it ia 2 cylinders & the cover....

February 4, 2019, 12:28 PM	#2
arcticap Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2005 Location: Central Connecticut Posts: 3,166	That black powder bug sure gives people the itch, eh? Last edited by arcticap; February 5, 2019 at 12:48 PM.

February 4, 2019, 04:48 PM	#3
AKexpat Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2014 Location: SW WA State Posts: 490	Considerations? https://www.midwayusa.com/product/19...colt-long-colt https://www.midwayusa.com/product/10...g-colt-5-round https://www.midwayusa.com/product/10...45-acp-5-round Jim __________________ To be governed – is to be watched, inspected, directed, indoctrinated, numbered, estimated, regulated, commanded, controlled, law-driven, preached at, spied upon, censured, checked, valued, enrolled – by creatures who have neither the right, nor the wisdom, nor the virtue to do so. - Pierre-Joseph Proudhon

February 5, 2019, 09:08 AM	#4
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,832	I found you can have just as much if not more fun with a smokepole as you can with an AR. It costs a whole heckuva lot less too and the technology (for me) is fascinating. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

February 15, 2019, 02:18 PM	#8
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	Buy a copy of Lyman's BP Handbook and Reloading Guide(direct from Lyman). Shooting BP isn't remotely close to smokeless. Starting with it's loaded in grains by volume not mass. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

February 12, 2019, 07:28 PM	#5
Peashooterjoe Junior Member Join Date: November 4, 2008 Location: South Alabama Posts: 14	Well the bug hit you and cant have just one my wife calls it a powder disease. LOL Peashooterjoe

February 14, 2019, 03:02 AM	#7
Driftwood Johnson Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2014 Location: Land of the Pilgrims Posts: 2,033	Howdy Here is a terrific video about the Remington carbine done by Mike Beliveau. Take note of what he says about NOT putting your hand in front of the cylinder. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yroLHtjFowI I suggest if you want to shoot cartridges in it you look at the SIX SHOT 45 Colt cylinder offered by Taylors. Nobody else makes a six shot 45 caliber cylinder for the Remington 1858, only Taylors. https://www.taylorsfirearms.com/acce...remington.html I put one of these cylinders in my old EuroArms Remmie a long time ago, probably close to 20 years ago now. I recommend this style of cylinder over the gated cylinders offered by Kirst. Because it is so quick to pop the cylinder out of a Remington, I did not feel the need for the gated version. The other thing is, because they lacked a raised bushing on the front of the cylinder, the 1858 design tends to bind up very quickly with BP fouling that works its way onto the cylinder pin. I find that a quick wipe of the cylinder face with a damp cloth every time I pop the cylinder out to reload keeps the fouling down and allows me to shoot one for quite a few rounds without it binding up.

February 16, 2019, 02:18 PM	#9
SIGSHR Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2005 Posts: 4,700	You could take up reenacting. We shoot a lot-but we don't have to worry about accuracy!

February 16, 2019, 11:28 PM	#10
Kaliburz Senior Member Join Date: August 2, 2000 Location: Northwest Posts: 128	Thanks for all the info. For the Ruger Old Army, I went & picked up a Kirst Konverter when the ROA cylinders were on sale. Got two cylinders, 45 LC & 45 ACP.... for maximum versatility. I tried the ACP w/ some ball ammo (online folks say the ROA can handle it...) only shot 10 rounds. Saw an auction of 45 ACP lead, but missed it. It was Ultramax.... can't find any more LRN 45ACP. Oh well. Have yet to get 45LC... and I haven't tried the BP cylinder yet. The 10 rounds seemed to shoot high, but it was just at a can in a dry irrigation drain ditch next to the farm...not target paper... The 1858 Carbine, still mulling if I want the 6 shot or 5. But, I didn't see that Taylor offered a 45ACP cylinder.... and the Kirst 45ACP tempts me.... And a guy at the gun shop said he had some 44 cal pistol Pyrodex pellets I could have. He bought it by mistake when buying for his muzzle loader...

February 18, 2019, 02:20 PM	#11
bladesmith 1 Senior Member Join Date: July 14, 2018 Posts: 240	It sounds like the BP bug didn't bite too bad if all you're doing is using nitro cartridge loads, or are those 45 loads BP ? Try shooting those guns the way they were made to, with BP and a round ball or bullet loaded with the loading lever. You're going to be missing a lot of fun.

February 19, 2019, 07:05 PM	#13
Kaliburz Senior Member Join Date: August 2, 2000 Location: Northwest Posts: 128	Oh, I will eventually. I was being "cheap" on the powder & shot.... so instead I bought the converstion cylinders.... go figure!

February 20, 2019, 04:20 PM	#14
bladesmith 1 Senior Member Join Date: July 14, 2018 Posts: 240	OK. Is there something in the drinking water up there ? Last edited by bladesmith 1; February 20, 2019 at 04:38 PM.

February 20, 2019, 07:16 PM	#15
2wheelwander Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2018 Posts: 539	I recently had a Taylors Army given to me. Also just bought a Lee 20 lb pot. Won't be long till a .45 ball mold shows up. I plan on getting this one out when the weather turns nice again.

February 22, 2019, 07:56 PM	#17
Road_Clam Senior Member Join Date: November 21, 2013 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 1,695	Don't get me wrong, I love everything guns, i'm mainly a long gun guy, and I enjoy bolts, semi's and levers. Belonging to a gun club is a poison ! I actually mean this in a jesting type statement. About 3 years ago I made the mistake of allowing a fellow club member to let me shoot his 1884 Trap Door loaded with the true "holy black" , I shot it and that unique smell, the huge cloud, and my aching shoulder and I was hooked. So jump to present day and i've got a 1874 Sharps 45-70, an 1884 TD , Harper's Ferry .58 cal flintlock pistol , 1858 Navy .44 C&B , and a .50 cal flintlock Pennsylvania. That true BP sulfur smell puts a smile on yer face every time the trigger is pulled !! __________________ "To be old an wise you must have been young and stupid"

February 28, 2019, 03:52 PM	#20
bladesmith 1 Senior Member Join Date: July 14, 2018 Posts: 240	Be really cool and call them NMA 1863, the first year they were delivered. Before was Beals and Elliots revolvers that looked pretty much like the NMA, but weren't. Last edited by bladesmith 1; February 28, 2019 at 03:59 PM.

February 28, 2019, 08:10 PM	#22
pwc Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2018 Location: AZ Posts: 236	Go to castboolets.gunloads.com....muzzleloading / my black powder. Last edited by pwc; February 28, 2019 at 10:19 PM.