1860 snubby from cabelas

[dboone]

I have a 1860 colt that I shoot loaded with two balls in each chamber and only get a 3inch spread at about ten feet. I use 30 gr. of 777 3f and two 140 gr. 457 round balls. It kicks a little more but not much, I have cared it in my car sometimes for close encounters with the two legged animals
along with my makarov 9mm and feel it would get the job done if needed.Does anybidy else carry there blackpowder handguns as backup?

 

[SCATTERSHOT]

Lots of dead guys in blue and grey can attest to the effectiveness of those old charcoal burners, but I prefer the 1911 Colt, myself.

The double ball load is interesting, I'll have to try that.

 

[jdixon]

I have never heard of anyone stuffing two projectiles into the same chamber of a cap 'n ball pistol. :: All of that extra weight in front of that 30 gr. charge has the potential to go drastically wrong. The pressures you are generating by loading this way may be enough to breech the cylinder causing at the very least, the ruin of your handgun, and at most the ruin of your health. Maybe some others on here more knowledgeable than I will differ with this but, :imo: you are gambling with your health by loading this gun with two projectiles. You want more punch, buy a larger cap 'n ball like a Ruger Old Army or one of the Colt Dragoons, or better yet just do the right thing and get a modern weapon. I love shooting these cap 'n ball revolvers and hunting with them but, in reality in this day and age they are only a novelty. Speaking as someone who has been in law enforcement almost 30 years now, I would not trust my personal self-defense to anything but the best and most reliable handgun I could carry and effectively operate, primary or back-up :m2c:

 

[Don]

dboone,

I carry BP pistols as back up when fishing and hunting but then again I'm not expecting any trouble. I just figure that if the unlikely happens I have something better than a sharp stick to defend my self with. If loaded carefully a cap and ball revolver can be just as reliable as a modern gun. Having said that, if I thought for a moment that I might run into real two legged trouble, I'd pack my modern gun. As far as loading more than one ball per cylinder I'd say you like to gamble more than me. A load of #4 shot would be a good choice but 2 balls would make me nervous.

Respectfully,

Don

 

[Zonie]

I have to agree with Don and JR about the double ball loads.
IMO, These are close to proof loads, and shouldn't be used in a Cap and Ball Revolver. :shocking:

 

[jim gray]

I have to agree with Don and JR about the double ball loads.
IMO, These are close to proof loads, and shouldn't be used in a Cap and Ball Revolver.

:sorry:
You can put me in the nay column on double ball loads as well. I do carry a Colt Dragoon from time to time when I am hunting, fishing, or just hiking somewhere where the opportunity to do a little plinking may present itself, but if I where going somewhere where I expected to have to use a firearm for self defense, I'd be carrying my .357 unless I could avoid making the trip.

I would really like to know what you think of that snubby. I think that one of them might be a nice addition to my collection.

 

[SCATTERSHOT]

I've been thinking about your load. How do you physically cram all that into your cylinder? Doesn't seem like it would fit. Is the 777 more compressable than black?

Those snubbys are real neat looking guns. Do you load them with something like a short starter, or is there a special tool for the job?

Thanks,
Gene

 

[dboone]

Theres a special tool that you load with. It fits down in the loading lever hole and it would go all the way down in the cyclinder if it wasn't loaded. 25-30 gr. of 777 3f is less volume than blackpowder so it doesn't feel it as much so both balls fit flush in cyclinder. I don't use two balls for my normal load. My normal load is 30 gr. of 3f 777 and a 457 round ball. The snubby is fun to shoot and i'm going to put one of the R$D 45lc cyclinders in it soon, I have one in my 1858 Remmy uberti 5 1/2 inch 44 cal and it is a blast and easy to clean.

 

[Rebel]

I didn't know that R&D offered a .45 LC cylinder conversion for the Colt types. Is the cost of the cylinder more than the origianl cost of the gun?

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

R&D makes a .45 Colt cylinder for the Uberti and Pietta
'60 Army. Taylor's sells them for $200.00 each.

 

[Rebel]

Thanks Russ, wasn't aware of them. Cost more than one of the repo Colts to use them in.

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

Yup. They are well made, though. They come in a hard plastic case with a red velvet bag to put them in when you aren't using them. And there is a lot of precise machine work involved in making them. The bluing is nice, too. All in all, I feel that I got good value for my money.

 

[Rebel]

How does your revolver shoot with the .45 LC's? is the POI a lot different than with rd. balls?

 

[mothernatureson]

Sounds like an interesting load, but I'm fond of my fingers, guess I'll stick with single stuffed cylinders
peace

mothernatureson

 

[Rebel]

I assume you were replying to dboone and not me. I don't use double ball loads in my guns.

 

One of my favorite Beatle's songs.

 

[mothernatureson]

yes, was responding to the original poster. yeah, i like that beatles tune also.

mothernatureson,

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

Yes, but its been awhile since I fired it, and I use BP handloads. A friend made up a batch and all I can remember is that he said he uses a case full of GOEX fffg and a 250 gr. bullet. In C&B mode, I stuff in 35 grs. fffg by volume, and use a .457 ball. Seems to me the Remington is on the money in C&B mode(this is a 5.5 inch barrel) and a bit high with the conversion unit. The gun is more accurate as a C&B revolver than as a cartridge gun, but with cartridges it holds a 4" group at 25 yards. In either mode it is a handy little thing. The short barrel may be why the gun shoots fairly close in either get-up. Don't have a velocity figure in C&B, but the cartridge load is supposed to run about 750-
770 fps in a full length Remington barrel.

 

[SCATTERSHOT]

Dboone, I have been looking at the 5 1/2" Remington. Seems to balance well and is a very nice looking piece. Who has the best price? Locally, they are $235.00, which doesn't seem too bad.

Cabela's has one for $149.00, but I'm sure it's not a Uberti.

Thanks
Gene

 

[Rebel]

Not certain about the 5 1/2" Remington, but most of Cabela's handguns are made by Pietta.