Corn meal filler in BP revolver

[phoenix511]

Anyone done some testing to determine if adding a corn meal filler over the powder in a revolver improves accuracy?

With some very light charges, a filler is needed as the revolver's rammer may not have sufficient stroke to seat the ball. And I wonder if getting the ball close to the mouth of the cylinder improves accuracy?

 

[R.M.]

I doubt there is a correct answer there. Some believe it helps, some don't. I use it because I've found that the filler (Cream of Wheat) kind of scrubs the barrel on the way out. At least that's my theory.
About all you can do is try it and see if it works for you.

 

[boom]

I used corn meal in my 58 remmy for years, i found it worked for me, but i never used the loading lever, i made my owen loader, so it did not matter how small the charge was. :thumbsup:
Boomm.

 

[pargent]

In my personal use I have found better groups using a filler , I put this down to the ball being seated right at the chamber mouth and therefore closer to the barrel rifling.

 

[RickD]

How much filler is added?

 

[CoyoteJoe]

I used to add a corn meal filler but have recently switched to 1/4" fiber wads to serve the same purpose, it's just more convenient and less messy. Circle Fly has wads for both .36 and .44 calibers. I get the 1/2" wads and slice them to half length. As to how much filler to use, you'll have to work that out for yourself since it depends on how much powder you are shooting. Drop you powder charge then add corn meal just short of the top. Corn meal will compress a great deal so you really don't need to leave much room for the ball. Some use Cream O wheat as a filler and that is not so compressible so you will need to leave about 1/2 a ball diameter of empty chamber to allow room for the ball.

 

[Dave Rosenthal]

Filler will help get the most out of a revolver. I use the wads instead just like Coyote Joe. Wins pistol competitions for me at two clubs that I shoot at!

Dave
NRA Expert ML Pistol

 

[Wes/Tex]

Depends on how much powder you're using. Basically, what you're after is to get the top of the ball fairly level with the face of the cylinder when seated. Have used Cream Of Wheat and other products but corn meal seems to compress better. Actually, I've pretty much gone to filling the chamber up. Just like big Boom and lot'sa smoke!

 

[RickD]

Ok,thank you for the replys

 

[rwiliff]

I use 20 grains of ffg in my dragoon, then 30 grains of ffg for filler.

Robert

 

[Poor Private]

I use wads also, since I make my own. Cheaper than bought ones and less messier than either COW, CMeal, or Oatmeal. I save those for breakfast.

 

[rafterob]

I tried Cream of wheat, grits and corn meal. corn meal seems to work the best. I put in the powder charge, top off with corn meal and seat the ball. It all compresses nicely. Does it improve groups? Not for me, I'm still all over the paper with my '58 Remmy. I chalk that up to not enough practice. I am convinced it "shoots" better, at least it sounds like it :wink: .

 

[bkovire]

just wondering is yours a brass frame?

 

[rafterob]

Mine is a steel frame Pietta target model. If I shoot off a bag it is very accurate, I have just not yet got my freehand shooting down.

 

[Celt5494]

I use wonder wads. Even though meal or cream of wheat might work I don't use it. Just more mess to try and pour in and measure with added fouling to clean out. In the long run it does nothing to improve accuracy. The wonder wads assist in cleaning and help to keep the fouling down. If you want to do it on the cheap you can make your own by punching out some felt and soaking them in whatever solution you wish if any at all.

 

[CoyoteJoe]

Actually, corn meal and especially cream of wheat will shoot cleaner than wonder wads. I certainly do find wads more convenient to load but I won't pay the outrageous prices for the wonder wads. That is why I use the Circle Fly fiber cushion wads at $8.00 per thousand. I do have to add my own lube but it takes only a few minutes to lube enough for a day's shoot and it's a better lube anyway.

 

[nkbj]

Is the moisture / corn oil contained in corn meal a factor in shooting cleaning? Just curious. I think I tried it once about 1977 or so with an 1861 but started filling the extra space with lead instead.

 

[CoyoteJoe]

I think the cereal just scours the bore on the way out so it's always "one shot dirty".

 

[rafterob]

There is no perceptible remnant of the cereal grains after shooting.

 

[nilo52]

I Use 40 Grains Of Powder With A .454 Round Ball And A Pre-Made Wool Wad With my Own Variant of Lube In My Dragoon, And Always Print In At Least The Outer 3 Rings At 25 Yards. About Half The Tme Closer To The Bull Eye If I Do My Part Well. :applause: