A lemon?

[lenl349]

Still wrestling with my pietta 1851 Navy. Went to the range today. First shot was fine--even hit close to bullseye. The next 4 couldn't get the ball through the cylinder. I used 20 grains 3F pyrodex my .375 RB and a wad. had problems with this revolver since I got it. Think I've got myself a wall hanger. Any suggestions?

 

[Grenadier1758]

Many years ago I heard all the tales of this new substitute black powder developed by Dan Pawlek (?). Dan was still alive then. No fouling, much shooting without the need to clean between shots. Less dense than black powder so more shots per pound. I bought a round cylindrical container of Pyrodex in the pistol granulation for my virtually new Navy Arms Reb revolver in 36 caliber. Loaded my little 36 caliber revolver up. The hang fires were quite long. This had never happened before. I loaded the next cylinder with my customary 3fg Dupont Powder. Firing was instant. I still have what's left of that cylinder of powder to remind of that trip to the range.

You may have a wall hangar, but I do suggest that you try some 3fg GOEX or Olde Eynsford. Did you have problems previously with real black powder? 20 grains of powder should be potent enough to get the ball down range.

 

[sourdough]

I don't think it a a wallhanger. Heck, most any revolver can be made to shoot well given the proper TLC.

Get shuck of the Pyrodex and find some good holy black. I am betting your revolver will do well.

Regards,

Jim

 

[J dirt]

I don't quite understand what you mean by couldn't get the ball through the cylinder.

Like others have said, try real black powder before giving up. Pyrodex is not my favorite in revolvers. Too many hangfires and misfired.

You might also try larger round balls, my .36 Piettas like .380" balls.

 

[Sam squanch]

Pyrodex goes bad after awhile, in my experience...

 

[Eterry]

Pyrodex goes bad after awhile, in my experience...

It definitely does in my experience. Losses over half its power, as near as I can tell.

 

[kje54]

Still wrestling with my pietta 1851 Navy. Went to the range today. First shot was fine--even hit close to bullseye. The next 4 couldn't get the ball through the cylinder. I used 20 grains 3F pyrodex my .375 RB and a wad. had problems with this revolver since I got it. Think I've got myself a wall hanger. Any suggestions?

There's a reason many of us refuse to use Pyrodex.......... Real black powder should fix whatever is ailing your Navy revolver, it's suffering from black powder anemia.

 

[SOLANCO]

Here and in other forum strings I have read of problems associated with pyrodex.

Leads me to wonder what pyrodex may be good for.

 

[lenl349]

I've used pyrodex in my .50 cal hawken with no problems. the triple7 shoulld work in revolvers just fine, esp at 20 grains.
wondering if the cylinder was badly machined.

 

[azmntman]

I have a can of Pyrodex that is round and really old. It shoots POA same as all my new synthetics and several brands of Goex, elephant etc. So it may be a humidity thing? Mine has NOT lost power. It also has clumps that shoot just dandy when crumbled up and loaded?

 

[TreeMan]

I've used pyrodex in my .50 cal hawken with no problems. the triple7 shoulld work in revolvers just fine, esp at 20 grains.
wondering if the cylinder was badly machined.

Clarify what you mean you can’t get the ball out of the cylinder? If the pyrodex ignites at all the ball should leave the gun even if it is deteriorated. Do the chambers line up with the barrel?

 

[lenl349]

pull the trigger and cap and pyro explode but the RB gets stuck at the end of the cylinder before going into the barrel.

 

[azmntman]

sounds weird, try real black or another can of pyro, 777 etc. Very weird.

 

[TreeMan]

pull the trigger and cap and pyro explode but the RB gets stuck at the end of the cylinder before going into the barrel.

I don’t know what to tell ya. I’ve had squibs with fouled powder that barely came out of the barrel at very low velocity. I’ve shot 38 special reloads in my Blackhawk and had one round that didn’t have powder in the case. Just the primer lodged the round four inches into the barrel. Never seen one that wouldn’t come out of the cylinder. This whole topic seems strange.

 

[TreeMan]

How do you know the pyrodex is igniting if the ball doesn’t leave the cylinder? If the ball isn’t leaving the cylinder at all then the powder is NOT going off. Looking at your other posts it appears this is not the first revolver and powder you’ve had this issue with. You either have the worse luck in the world, you’re not getting the oil out of the cylinder before loading, or you need to throw that can of pyrodex as far into the landfill as possible. If it wouldnt fire in the pistol you posted about last October why would you use it in this new gun. I’d blame your cleaning, loading or the pyrodex before I’d suspect a lemon from pietta.

 

[Rifleman1776]

I met Dan Pawlak before his invention came on the market. You would be looking a long time to find a nicer, more honorable person. He later sent me several pounds for pre-marketing testing and review. I tried in my Ruger Old Army. No way, no how could I get ignition. My percussion rifles sometimes went off. Fuggit using in a flintlock. As others have said try using real black powder instead. I pretty certain the problems will go away. BTW, Pyrodex does corrode. The ad writers for Dan's product said "Pyrodex does not corrode guns like black powder does". Key word: like This, in my opinion was a dishonest representation of the product. It corrodes but in a manner different than bp residue does. Clean your revolver like you are going to use it in surgery then load and shoot with real bp. Good luck.

 

[lenl349]

i've cleaned this gun to death and as i aid there'ss no problem shooting pyrodex in my rifle. Is it possible there' a defect in the cylinder or should I try shooting just ball and powder without the lubed wad?

 

[springfield art]

Many years ago I heard all the tales of this new substitute black powder developed by Dan Pawlek (?). Dan was still alive then. No fouling, much shooting without the need to clean between shots. Less dense than black powder so more shots per pound. I bought a round cylindrical container of Pyrodex in the pistol granulation for my virtually new Navy Arms Reb revolver in 36 caliber. Loaded my little 36 caliber revolver up. The hang fires were quite long. This had never happened before. I loaded the next cylinder with my customary 3fg Dupont Powder. Firing was instant. I still have what's left of that cylinder of powder to remind of that trip to the range.

You may have a wall hangar, but I do suggest that you try some 3fg GOEX or Olde Eynsford. Did you have problems previously with real black powder? 20 grains of powder should be potent enough to get the ball down range.

Yeah, it's well known that the substitute stuff is not suited for flintlocks; too slow to ignite.

 

[springfield art]

There's a reason many of us refuse to use Pyrodex.......... Real black powder should fix whatever is ailing your Navy revolver, it's suffering from black powder anemia.

Ha, ha! BPA; Black Powder Anemia! Love it! Pyrodex is good to mix with water and use as shoe polish.

 

[bang]

Lubed was. Lubed with what? Could the lube be the issue. Press the ball against it a the pressure pushes lube into the powder?
I would try no wad and over lube ball.
As for Pyrodex, I've been using it for 15 plus years. Only issue I ever had was very periodic hesitant ignition in rifles using RS. Switched to P and never happened again.