How does this Colt 1849 Pocket LOAD look???

I have been shooting BP rifles for years and know the ropes there.. but I am brand new to percussion revolvers so check me out ...
No BP availability and even BP substitute is hard to come by..

But I am going to try both "P" Pyrodex and FFFG Tripple seven in my new little .31 colt ..the manual says 10 to 15gr with ball and both the substitutes are measured by volume not weight ..T7 recommends 15% reduction which may be difficult since the powder charge is so small to begin with

I suppose the biggest question in my mind is will a standard (in this case an RWS) #11 cap reliably light both of these two powders ?????

I much prefer the T7 due to easy clean up but if "P" ends up the champion so be it.

Your thoughts and experiences please gentlemen...

Bear

Revolvers are direct ignition, I have lit all the powder types with sll brands of caps, no problems. Just clean the little jasper good before charging, and make sure to pick the nipples before loading. Make some smoke!

I've used Pyrodex P a long time. Availability is the main reason. It has performed just fine. Like any powders you'll have to experiment and find what volume performs best.

Check the diameter of the nipples at the tip of the cone. You are likely to have nipples with a cone sized for a #10 cap. Pinching #11's will work, but there may also be cap jams.

Triple 7 says reduce 15% to achieve "the same velocity" as a different powder. It does not say to equal pressure or to be safe or that you have to for any other reason. In this case I really don't think 1.5 grains that you mention reducing is going to cause any problems. But I suppose you can start with 8.5 grains of 777 instead of 10 grains if you'd like. Like any other black powder revolver you should start with the minimum load by volume and check function and accuracy. If that is satisfactory to you, that's your load. If you want more accuracy or need to slightly change point of impact you can increase 2-grains at a time. Obviously don't exceed the maximum recommended load with any powder. Not sure what brand revolver you have. I found 12.5 grains spout was decent accuracy, easy to load, left some room in front of ball and did everything I need. I have not changed the spout using Pyrodex P, Goex FFFg or Triple 7 FFFg. Personally don't notice a difference.

This is a Colt 3rd Gen 1849 pocket ..I can see where direct fire nipple set up is more positive and I am happy to hear standard caps will cook off both powders I have availability with

So presently I'm leaning to a starting load of T7 FFFG of 10gr + Wool wad +.323 ball (ball diameter is factory recommended )

Comments on this please ...Somewhere I have read that T7 will spike in pressure if cornmeal is used as a filler ..also in that same or a different article I read that crushing T7 gave erratic results pressure and FPS wise ...what are your thoughts??

Bear

Brokenbear said:

This is a Colt 3rd Gen 1849 pocket ..I can see where direct fire nipple set up is more positive and I am happy to hear standard caps will cook off both powders I have availability with

So presently I'm leaning to a starting load of T7 FFFG of 10gr + Wool wad +.323 ball (ball diameter is factory recommended )

Comments on this please ...Somewhere I have read that T7 will spike in pressure if cornmeal is used as a filler ..also in that same or a different article I read that crushing T7 gave erratic results pressure and FPS wise ...what are your thoughts??

Bear

Click to expand...

I moved away from cornmeal. The lubed wad has always worked very well in that pistol for me. Fast loading, cleans things up, brings ball to top of chamber mouth, one flask to deal with, just me. The joy of the sport centers on the scores of possible combinations and the ONE that works best for you.
I never quit putzing with my iron, fun and more fun, then, some more fun.

Brokenbear said:

I have been shooting BP rifles for years and know the ropes there.. but I am brand new to percussion revolvers so check me out ...
No BP availability and even BP substitute is hard to come by..

But I am going to try both "P" Pyrodex and FFFG Tripple seven in my new little .31 colt ..the manual says 10 to 15gr with ball and both the substitutes are measured by volume not weight ..T7 recommends 15% reduction which may be difficult since the powder charge is so small to begin with

I suppose the biggest question in my mind is will a standard (in this case an RWS) #11 cap reliably light both of these two powders ?????

I much prefer the T7 due to easy clean up but if "P" ends up the champion so be it.

Your thoughts and experiences please gentlemen...

Bear

Click to expand...

Hi I just bought a 1978 FIE Italy, 1849 colt pocket 31 cal. Where can I find a manual for it?

How are folks measuring powder getting accuracy on charges to 1+ or - grain ? a scale weighing all your charges ?
For years I just used a powder flask and shot my revolvers…now I am no expert or have any deep knowledge, I just want to learn !
Thanks in advance

Brokenbear said:

I have been shooting BP rifles for years and know the ropes there.. but I am brand new to percussion revolvers so check me out ...
No BP availability and even BP substitute is hard to come by..

But I am going to try both "P" Pyrodex and FFFG Tripple seven in my new little .31 colt ..the manual says 10 to 15gr with ball and both the substitutes are measured by volume not weight ..T7 recommends 15% reduction which may be difficult since the powder charge is so small to begin with

I suppose the biggest question in my mind is will a standard (in this case an RWS) #11 cap reliably light both of these two powders ?????

I much prefer the T7 due to easy clean up but if "P" ends up the champion so be it.

Your thoughts and experiences please gentlemen...

Bear

Click to expand...

Why nor order 5 lbs of real BP and pay the haz-mat fee.
Or drive over to Dixie Gun works in Union City, TN and pick it up in person?
DGW Is worth a trip to go to and look around and see anyway.

smoothshooter said:

Why nor order 5 lbs of real BP and pay the haz-mat fee.
Or drive over to Dixie Gun works in Union City, TN and pick it up in person?
DGW Is worth a trip to go to and look around and see anyway.

Click to expand...

Maybe he like the subs better in revolvers,I do.

AlexB said:

Maybe he like the subs better in revolvers,I do.

Click to expand...

I actually prefer pyrodex p in my revolvers over BP.

Mrdix said:

How are folks measuring powder getting accuracy on charges to 1+ or - grain ? a scale weighing all your charges ?
For years I just used a powder flask and shot my revolvers…now I am no expert or have any deep knowledge, I just want to learn !
Thanks in advance

Click to expand...

My new rifle powder measure is all brass so I easily marked it in 2.5 grn increments. 1 grain is a much bigger deal in a small chamber. Granted my small caliber is a .44 cal, and that’s about as much fine tuning for me. If I were good enough to participate in matches then absolutely, but I’m just an average shot I guess. What’s interesting about it is it weighs what it’s set at when using 3F Olde Eynsford, my preferred powder until I try Swiss. I like to fill and lightly tap the measure several times to help settle it in. Is it more consistent? I dunno, but it seems like it might. Match shooters like to weigh their charges and keep them in tubes. Just being consistent in whatever you do is the important part. I’ve read of people figuring out how much to cut off of their spout to drop the amount desired.

AlexB wins the cigar!!
I like the higher velocity of T7 in long n short guns ...
I like the being able to clean the firearms at leisure/convenience instead of immediately after a long range session
I like shooting while at the range instead of shoot clean shoot clean etc
I like when I clean I can clean just like a current day firearm with current day gun supplies
I still get the flavor of the accuracy pursuit stuffing the individual components down the barrels/cylinders, casting the bullets, sizing bullets up n down the diameter scale,trying different bullet designs, tweaking the powder charges, trying different bullet and patch lubes ...
so why do I need the stinking job of soap n water or are some form there of??

Besides ..the boss of me is much kinder to ME with my current "non kitchen" incursions of gun cleaning


Bear

Gtrubicon said:

I actually prefer pyrodex p in my revolvers over BP.

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I've tried Pyrodex in both rifle and revolver and it worked fine until the bottom of the thermometer got active and then it was not reliable at all for me. I had a lot of hang and mis- fires in both as I recall.
I bought a bunch of muzzle loading supplies from a lady who's husband had passed and got several cans of Triple 7 but have never tried it so far as I am rather fond of Goex and Swiss BP.
I need to give it a go just to see how it works.

Brokenbear said:

AlexB wins the cigar!!
I like the higher velocity of T7 in long n short guns ...
I like the being able to clean the firearms at leisure/convenience instead of immediately after a long range session
I like shooting while at the range instead of shoot clean shoot clean etc
I like when I clean I can clean just like a current day firearm with current day gun supplies
I still get the flavor of the accuracy pursuit stuffing the individual components down the barrels/cylinders, casting the bullets, sizing bullets up n down the diameter scale,trying different bullet designs, tweaking the powder charges, trying different bullet and patch lubes ...
so why do I need the stinking job of soap n water or are some form there of??

Besides ..the boss of me is much kinder to ME with my current "non kitchen" incursions of gun cleaning


Bear

Click to expand...

I’m at a loss here. I have Pyrodex, Triple 7, and Olde Eynsford by Goex, and of them all only Pyrodex has me concerned as it’s done a number on a muzzleloader left overnight after I erroneously took the advice of some cowboy action shooters who claimed they didn’t clean theirs that day.

Olde Eynsford black powder isn’t some horrible super corrosive powder. I haven’t rushed to clean my guns after the range and I live in central Texas in the land of heat and high humidity. Even Triple 7 needs cleaned with water, water I put into a my cleaning supplies tub to clean where ever I wish to set up. I’ve never used the kitchen.

Volume for volume Olde Eynsford and Swiss will give slightly higher velocities and without the wide variance with Swiss being a little better than Olde E. I not only require sporting grade powder for hunting ethically, I prefer the higher consistency of the real deal.

Pyrodex is a good enough powder, but I truly hate the fouling I get in my revolvers, it’s more of a sticky mess. But if there’s a powder to be concerned with needing to rush home this is the one as I’ve seen the testing done with it, black powder, and Triple 7 burned on plates of steel and left in the humid garage for 4 days I believe.

I like Triple 7 and still buy some when I order, but I much prefer Olde E and will one day try Swiss which is a tad better. What I don’t care for is the cost of T7 to Olde E.

rodwha ..there is not really a right/wrong here ..
There is no question that Pyrodex is at the top of the heap as to being the most corrosive ..followed some distance behind by black powder in the fact both both propellants DO require ASAP weapon cleaning
T7 does not need/require same day cleaning ..I am not saying forever never needs cleaning (short of hunting in the rain) T7 can be cleaned up with regular Hoppes #9 any time with in a week

Things to consider ....First my experience may be a bit curved simply because I keep all my firearms in two locked vaults that have their own rechargeable moisture absorbent system which keeps both safes at around 45% humidity and 50% by industry standard is considered "DRY" ...so I am for sure robbing any contaminates in or on my muzzle loaders of water to rust with

Additionally I keep the safes in my unfinishd portion of my basement which has a $200 whole home dehumidifier that keeps that room at or below 50% humidity year round

So my experience may be slightly tainted but still ...T7 is just not even close to being a gun killer
I shoot 3-5 lbs a year of BP T7 ..with a 10% reduction of T7 to replicate equal BP loads the price difference and added convenience at clean up is the value for me