1851 Navy query

[lenl349]

looking at 1851 Navy .36 cal for my next purchase. It will be a steel frame either Pietta or Uberti probably.
Question is about proper ammo and charge. Been told that a .375 ball would be best with a 20-25 charge and #10 caps. What's the forum's opinion? thanks.

 

[Grenadier1758]

I've found a 0.380 ball is best in my 36 caliber revolvers.

 

[sourdough]

I've found a 0.380 ball is best in my 36 caliber revolvers.

Especially in the Piettas.

 

[wb78963]

My .36 Pietta Navy, a Capt. Schaeffer short barrel, likes .375" ball and 20 grains GOEX FFFg. Mine has Slixshot nipples and runs well with Rem. #10 caps I have not tried them but CC!#11 caps work on another Pietta .44 Navy that has Slixshot nipples.
However YMMV but that is what works for me.
Bunk

 

[bang]

Ditto on .380 ball.

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

.380 balls are the best. Longer bearing surface. I use swaged .380 balls.

 

[Oldhickory]

I have taken the cylinders out of my 36 Navies, and taken them to a machine shop to have the cylinders rebored to true .375. This makes for a more accurate percussion pistol that matches the barrel bore. True that undersized balls will kind of sort of bump up in the barrel, but I find the .380 round ball or conical bullet shoots much more accurately. If the ream has a pilot that matches the original bore, it can ream a more even 375 bore. You are not taking off much metal.

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

I’ve had mine reamed to .374” to match my barrel bore and accuracy was improved with the same load.