Loading Uberti Colt Dragoon with conicals

BP_Fanatic · August 30, 2017, 06:00 AM

Friend of mine is considering the purchase of Uberti Dragoon revolver, but before purchasing he wants to know if this revolver can be loaded with Lee 450-200 bullets without removing the drum or without filing the loading gate bigger? As we don't have any Dragoons nearby do any of forum members know that?

rodwhaincamo · August 30, 2017, 06:27 AM

Drum? Do you mean loading ram/plunger?

Uberti tends to make their repros much more properly so I'd think it would load easily enough. I'll reread that section

The 200 grn Lee RN is certainly used without reference to modifying. His is a 2004 model.

BP_Fanatic · August 30, 2017, 09:12 AM

With "drum=cylinder" - I meant loading by removing the barrel and and drum/cylinder and loading it with loading press. But I guess the word of "cylinder" is more used in America. Sry

I know that Uberti Walker can't be loaded with Lee 450 conical without modification, but on the picture Dragoon seems to have more room there.

Thanks for the info.

Hawg · August 30, 2017, 09:29 AM

If they can't be loaded in the Walker without mods there's no reason to expect them to load in a dragoon without mods. I would think they would be too small since .454 round balls pull back out of the chamber with the ram on my 3rd model Uberti.

**4V50 Gary** · August 30, 2017, 10:44 AM

I also think he means cylinder.

That said, fit of the projectile is crucial. It should leave a shaved ring when pressed all the way down. If it doesn't, you've too much play (and loss of accuracy).

rodwhaincamo · August 30, 2017, 12:36 PM

Looking at pics side by side it appears as though there is more room due to the cylinder being a bit further back. It would likely depend on the length last the seating base.

Lee shows their 200 grn version to be .450" and their 220 grn version to be .456" in diameter. You'd need to check the diameter of the chamber to see if the .450" version will hold.

Actually a conical, with its longer driving bands, doesn't need to be oversized like a ball. Look at how Ruger states to use a .454" conical for their .453" chambers, or a .457" ball which needs to be oversized like that in order to create a driving band. Friction fit will hold it in place.

Model12Win · August 30, 2017, 02:51 PM

If they don't quite fit you can use a Dremel tool to remove some metal from the frame and some cold blue to touch it up. Easy peasy melon squeezy sneezy.

rodwhaincamo · August 30, 2017, 08:04 PM

It is rather easy. I bought one of those Dremel bits and used a drill. Take the cylinder and loading lever assembly off and use tape to cover over any openings. Then I cleaned it up with a file and sand paper. Took maybe 25 minutes on a Pietta Remington NMA and those need a lot removed.

Hellgate · August 30, 2017, 11:37 PM

OK, I just ran downstairs and got my 3rd Model Dragoon and my cast LEE 200 gr conicals. Checking several (4, actually), I found that they all seated on the second driving band and were easily positioned to ram straight onto powder if needed. So, get the LEE 200 gr conical (not the 220 gr for Ruger Old Armies) and enjoy a great "thumper'.

BP_Fanatic · August 31, 2017, 04:26 AM

Hellgate, thank you.

As for using Dremel tool, although I haven't had all models of Pietta and Uberti revolvers in my hands, it seems that Uberti revolvers "eat" conicals better, while Pietta ones need modification. At least it was so with 1858 Remingtons and with Pietta Dance revolver.

rodwhaincamo · August 31, 2017, 06:18 AM

That's my understanding as well with Uberti making a more authentic reproduction.

August 30, 2017, 06:00 AM	#1
BP_Fanatic Junior Member Join Date: August 26, 2017 Posts: 10	Loading Uberti Colt Dragoon with conicals Friend of mine is considering the purchase of Uberti Dragoon revolver, but before purchasing he wants to know if this revolver can be loaded with Lee 450-200 bullets without removing the drum or without filing the loading gate bigger? As we don't have any Dragoons nearby do any of forum members know that?

August 30, 2017, 10:44 AM	#5
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,847	I also think he means cylinder. That said, fit of the projectile is crucial. It should leave a shaved ring when pressed all the way down. If it doesn't, you've too much play (and loss of accuracy). __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

August 30, 2017, 11:37 PM	#9
Hellgate Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2010 Location: Orygun Posts: 869	OK, I just ran downstairs and got my 3rd Model Dragoon and my cast LEE 200 gr conicals. Checking several (4, actually), I found that they all seated on the second driving band and were easily positioned to ram straight onto powder if needed. So, get the LEE 200 gr conical (not the 220 gr for Ruger Old Armies) and enjoy a great "thumper'. __________________ With over 15 perCUSSIN' revolvers, I've been called the Imelda Marcos of cap & ball. SASS#3302 (Life), SASS Regulator, NRA (Life), Dirty Gamey Bastards #129 Wolverton Mtn. Peacekeepers (WA), former Orygun Cowboy (Ranger, Posse from Hell)

August 30, 2017, 06:27 AM	#2
rodwhaincamo Senior Member Join Date: July 7, 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 1,246	Drum? Do you mean loading ram/plunger? Uberti tends to make their repros much more properly so I'd think it would load easily enough. I'll reread that section The 200 grn Lee RN is certainly used without reference to modifying. His is a 2004 model.

August 30, 2017, 09:12 AM	#3
BP_Fanatic Junior Member Join Date: August 26, 2017 Posts: 10	With "drum=cylinder" - I meant loading by removing the barrel and and drum/cylinder and loading it with loading press. But I guess the word of "cylinder" is more used in America. Sry I know that Uberti Walker can't be loaded with Lee 450 conical without modification, but on the picture Dragoon seems to have more room there. Thanks for the info.

August 30, 2017, 09:29 AM	#4
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,190	If they can't be loaded in the Walker without mods there's no reason to expect them to load in a dragoon without mods. I would think they would be too small since .454 round balls pull back out of the chamber with the ram on my 3rd model Uberti.

August 30, 2017, 12:36 PM	#6
rodwhaincamo Senior Member Join Date: July 7, 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 1,246	Looking at pics side by side it appears as though there is more room due to the cylinder being a bit further back. It would likely depend on the length last the seating base. Lee shows their 200 grn version to be .450" and their 220 grn version to be .456" in diameter. You'd need to check the diameter of the chamber to see if the .450" version will hold. Actually a conical, with its longer driving bands, doesn't need to be oversized like a ball. Look at how Ruger states to use a .454" conical for their .453" chambers, or a .457" ball which needs to be oversized like that in order to create a driving band. Friction fit will hold it in place.

August 30, 2017, 02:51 PM	#7
Model12Win Junior member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Posts: 5,854	If they don't quite fit you can use a Dremel tool to remove some metal from the frame and some cold blue to touch it up. Easy peasy melon squeezy sneezy.

August 30, 2017, 08:04 PM	#8
rodwhaincamo Senior Member Join Date: July 7, 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 1,246	It is rather easy. I bought one of those Dremel bits and used a drill. Take the cylinder and loading lever assembly off and use tape to cover over any openings. Then I cleaned it up with a file and sand paper. Took maybe 25 minutes on a Pietta Remington NMA and those need a lot removed.

August 31, 2017, 04:26 AM	#10
BP_Fanatic Junior Member Join Date: August 26, 2017 Posts: 10	Hellgate, thank you. As for using Dremel tool, although I haven't had all models of Pietta and Uberti revolvers in my hands, it seems that Uberti revolvers "eat" conicals better, while Pietta ones need modification. At least it was so with 1858 Remingtons and with Pietta Dance revolver.

August 31, 2017, 06:18 AM	#11
rodwhaincamo Senior Member Join Date: July 7, 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 1,246	That's my understanding as well with Uberti making a more authentic reproduction.