question from a new guy to bp revolvers

[lorren68]

Why do you put grease over the cylinder after you load? Is it to soften fouling, stop chain fires, or what? I could see it helping to keep the fouling soft, but chain fires? How could a spark get by a ball that is sized to fit in the cylinder?

 

[Al Cummins]

I put bore butter over the ball for lubrication, and over shot loads to help hold the shot and wad down. I dont think you need it otherwise....my opinion.

 

[cynthialee]

both I think

however...not everyone is convinced a chain fire can come from the front. Seems that many chain fires are caused by loose nipples...

:surrender:

I only had one chain fire. It was with a dragoon!
Balls were tight, niples were somewhat loose, but I forgt to lube the chambers. (try spending your shooting time with a dental tool picking lead out of every crevace forward of the cylender...not fun)
Ever since I have lubed every cylener with grim resolve to never have anouther chain fire. Since that day I have never had anouther chain fire. So a big part of me is rather convinced that greesing chambers is important.

 

[lorren68]

Thank you Cynthie, I dont see how it could get by the ball to cause a chain fire, but there are a lot of things in this world I dont fully understand. I will be greasing my chambers after loading, My wife says I should listen when women speak!

 

[zimmerstutzen]

ALL OF THE ABOVE!

 

[aeatwood]

Crisco will get you through the first range sessions 'til you decide whether you like this stinky messy sport. 8) Bore butter is a bit better, and greased felt wads under the ball are better yet.

The first thing I try as far as accuracy loads go is a cylinder with enough 2F to just barely allow the wad to seat against the powder, and not interfere with the ball centering itself in the chamber mouth.

I have one Uberti Dragoon that shoots this load ok, but actually does better with a reduced load of 3F. The other similar gun likes the 2F load, as do pretty much all my other guns.

 

[jerem0621]

I've wanted a BP revolver for a long time but these chain fire reports really bother me. I have just about decided to go with a .50 cal single shot cap lock for my BP pistol needs..

 

[RADeO]

I've wanted a BP revolver for a long time but these chain fire reports really bother me. I have just about decided to go with a .50 cal single shot cap lock for my BP pistol needs..

Don't let them bother you too much. As long as you:
1) use the correct-size balls for your revolver
2) use snug-fitting caps on good nipples
3) pay attention to proper loading procedure
you won't have to worry about chain-fires. :thumbsup:

 

[TFoley]

I've wanted a BP revolver for a long time but these chain fire reports really bother me. I have just about decided to go with a .50 cal single shot cap lock for my BP pistol needs..

Well, Sir, obviously I can't speak for anybody else here, but I've been shooting a C&B revolver since 1968, and I've never had a chain-fire yet.

tac

 

[Billnpatti]

Hey, cynthialee , where can I get a can of that "Grim Resolve" that you lube with? :haha:

 

[cynthialee]

:haha:

to the guy worried about chainfires...they are more startleing than dangerous
then there is the entire cleaning up the lead that is imbeded in the revolver, not fun...

 

[Joe Sullivan]

I shot my 1851 sherrif the other day. I had fun shooting it for the first time cause I did'nt care. No wads- no bore butter. I shot 3" groups at 25 yards. I was lucky to hit a paper plate using all the fix'ns. For some reason it won't shoot straight with all that stuff. No missfires, no bore butter getting blown down the empty chamber and clogging up the nipples. I loaded it up 5 times with 2f. It did need the barrel cleaned but I was done anyway. The book says 12 grains :barf: I used 30 :idunno: Guys just wanna have fun!