loading a .36 navy colt

woodchipper · June 12, 2011, 01:15 AM

I have been shooting bp for some time and decided to take up bp pistol. I have a 1851 navy colt replica by pietta. I dropped 17 gr of 3f pyrodex P with a wad over powder and .375 ball by hornady. It is barely filling half of the cylinder. Can some one explain the procedure of bringing the ball near top of cylinder. thanks woodchipper

kwhi43 · June 12, 2011, 02:42 AM

Put a little "Creme of Wheat" on top of your powder, just enough so when
you seat the ball down tight, it is about a 1/16 of a inch below the chamber.
If you don't have any, use Cornmeal.

woodchipper · June 12, 2011, 03:16 AM

thanks. will give it a try in the a.m.

madcratebuilder · June 12, 2011, 07:39 AM

17gr is a light load. Try different volumes of powder, you may find the revolver likes 22-25grs. When you find the revolvers sweet spot you can use a filler to bring the rb to the top of the chamber.

I have not seen much difference from the rb near the top of the chamber or seated deeper. As long as the ball is seated against the powder charger you are gtg.

woodchipper · June 12, 2011, 09:06 AM

Recieved a lot og good info from those that responde , I am going to try different loads as suggested and work it from there my main concern was that the rb was sitting to low in the cylinder. Question is do I lube ball or not. Have read some good points on that so I guess it is to the range this a.m. and burn some powder. Thanks woodchipper

Hawg · June 12, 2011, 09:08 AM

You don't need to put lube over the ball with a wad under it.

sebou · June 12, 2011, 12:56 PM

Hello,
On my Pietta 1851 .36 Cal revolver, I use .65 grams of black powder and then I lay on top of around 0.45 grams of medium grain couscous.(semolina).
In a box are my bullets (0375) and I put a nice fat nut. I shake the box, and all round bullers are well lubricated.
Because it is generally advisable to finish loading with grease.
Do as you want....

Seb

June 12, 2011, 01:15 AM	#1
woodchipper Junior Member Join Date: June 12, 2011 Posts: 3	loading a .36 navy colt I have been shooting bp for some time and decided to take up bp pistol. I have a 1851 navy colt replica by pietta. I dropped 17 gr of 3f pyrodex P with a wad over powder and .375 ball by hornady. It is barely filling half of the cylinder. Can some one explain the procedure of bringing the ball near top of cylinder. thanks woodchipper

June 12, 2011, 03:16 AM	#3
woodchipper Junior Member Join Date: June 12, 2011 Posts: 3	.36 navy colt thanks. will give it a try in the a.m.

June 12, 2011, 09:06 AM	#5
woodchipper Junior Member Join Date: June 12, 2011 Posts: 3	.36 cal pistol Recieved a lot og good info from those that responde , I am going to try different loads as suggested and work it from there my main concern was that the rb was sitting to low in the cylinder. Question is do I lube ball or not. Have read some good points on that so I guess it is to the range this a.m. and burn some powder. Thanks woodchipper

June 12, 2011, 02:42 AM	#2
kwhi43 Senior Member Join Date: August 21, 2008 Location: Kansas City Posts: 1,393	Put a little "Creme of Wheat" on top of your powder, just enough so when you seat the ball down tight, it is about a 1/16 of a inch below the chamber. If you don't have any, use Cornmeal.

June 12, 2011, 07:39 AM	#4
madcratebuilder Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2007 Location: Northern Orygun Posts: 4,923	17gr is a light load. Try different volumes of powder, you may find the revolver likes 22-25grs. When you find the revolvers sweet spot you can use a filler to bring the rb to the top of the chamber. I have not seen much difference from the rb near the top of the chamber or seated deeper. As long as the ball is seated against the powder charger you are gtg.

June 12, 2011, 09:08 AM	#6
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,190	You don't need to put lube over the ball with a wad under it.

June 12, 2011, 12:56 PM	#7
sebou Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2010 Location: France Posts: 108	Hello, On my Pietta 1851 .36 Cal revolver, I use .65 grams of black powder and then I lay on top of around 0.45 grams of medium grain couscous.(semolina). In a box are my bullets (0375) and I put a nice fat nut. I shake the box, and all round bullers are well lubricated. Because it is generally advisable to finish loading with grease. Do as you want.... Seb