1858 Pietta 1st time ?

[Brik847]

I loaded with 25 grains fff and a felt wad and a .454 ball and I still have some room at the top of each cylinder. I know (now) that I should have used filler to get the ball closer to the barrel. Will this cause me a problem for 12 shots? Does anyone know how much filler (cream of wheat) it takes + 25 grs. black powder to get that ball to sit up higher in the cylinder (rather than trial and error)?

 

[Timberhunter]

I had a set of 36 cal piettas. I started with 20gr of FFF. Then I ended up around 12gr. With the same performance just less flash and boom.
I used one of the lee yellow plastic powder scoops to fill the chamber up with cornmeal so that the ball ended up at the end of the cylinder. I never used a set amount of cornmeal. Just eyeballed it.
It was a slightly compressed load, but very accurate.

 

[Pete Gaimari]

I experimented with using filler and no filler. I saw no difference in accuracy.

I shoot CAS and filler is one extra step I don't need to do.

Since I like to blow smoke. I just fill it up with powder. Easier and more fun.

Warthogs rule!

 

[Brik847]

I was just worried about the ball "jumping" to the barrel. Not a problem?

 

[kwilfong]

I don't see a problem in terms of safety. You'd have to bench test it with the different loads to see what the accuracy difference is.
I don't mess with fillers either; use enough Swiss 3F & a lubed felt wad to get some compression with the ball slightly below flush.
I do see the guys competing in bullseye using filler though, & I guess the Cream of Wheat actually does help with the fouling?

 

[Pete Gaimari]

I was just worried about the ball "jumping" to the barrel. Not a problem?

As long as everything is timed and tight. I see no problem.

 

[CaptainKirk]

The ball has to "jump"..whether it's .030 or a quarter inch, unless it's right up (and I mean RIGHT UP) against the forcing cone. My Super Blackhawk in .44 can't tell the difference between a .44 Special and a .44 Magnum, even though there is a noticeable difference in length, so I doubt your revolver will either.
Unless you are shooting ultra-low charges (like 10 gr.) I wouldn't worry abut it.
You could try packing an extra Wonder Wad under the ball (double up) and see if your accuracy changes.

 

[Dave Rosenthal]

The '58's will take up to 35 grains plus a wonder-wad and a .454 ball! I've found that mine like 28 grains, the wonder-wad and the ball. I don't use filler either. Wins competitions without the filler too!

The 12" barreled '58 Buffalo likes the 35 grain charges. I won a competition with that loading in September of last year. The extra 4" of barrel uses the extra powder to great advantage :wink: .

Dave

 

[kwilfong]

Good info! Is your "Buffalo" model steel or brass frame?

 

[Dave Rosenthal]

It's the stainless model by Pietta. Wife got it for me for Christmas a couple or three years back.

One more thing about the Remmy's: I've found that the loading lever hardware only goes as far as it meets the frame of the revolver. This results in the rammer's inability to fully ram and compress the charge. I don't get uniform seating & compression of the charge with my '58's until I use at least 25 grains of powder........maybe that's why everyone here says that they start to get accurate with that charge?? Loose powder rolling-around underneath a partially seated ball doesn't have repeatable velocities. All of this checks-out on a Chrono too.........

Have a good night!

Dave

 

[kwilfong]

:hmm: Makes sense. Hadn't noticed that on my Remmies but then I load closer to capacity. My recent study of black powder cartidge loading bears out the benefit of a certain amount of compression. I load my 45/70's thru a 30" drop tube & compress it further when seating the bullet.