Took my Remmy out today

[paulmarcone]

I took my Pietta 1858 Remington out to the range today.

Tried some tricks to keep the cylinder from binding that worked really well.

Basically, between every six shots I wiped the outside of the cylinder with a cloth and a few sprays of Ballistol, quickly wiped clean the arbor pin and then gave the pin a quick spray of Ballistol.

Worked smoothly throughout the session -- I fired about 42 shots (7 cylinders).

For my first 5 cylinders I used about 25 grains of FFFG Goex, followed by a wonder wad, then a .457 Hornady ball. No lube on the outside.

I shot standing up alternating between a two handed and one handed stance. All targets were from 25 yards. Unfortunately, my shots were all over the place. I think it was definitely my stance and aiming that was way off. I have not shot a pistol is almost a year and this was only my second overall outing this year to the range.

For my last 2 cylinders I shot, seated, using a two handed hold. I used 30 grains of FFFG Goex, wad and .457 ball. Much better results. This gun seems to like 30 grains.

While I was disappointed that my shots were all over the place, again, I think that had more to do with my being rusty and poor stance and alignment.

Wiping down the cylinder and a little shot of Ballistol on the arbor pin between cylinders worked like a charm and the action worked great throughout the session.

My real frustration is the inability to come up with a good pistol shooting stance.

The Pietta Remmy is a very nice weapon...

 

[LeMat1856]

.
. apr 20 / 14:15


that's good to know because my new lemat has about a .001" cylinder / barrel clearance, and i'm lucky to get 2-3 full loads through it before it starts binding..

i've tried more lube and less lube but your method might be the best solution until it gets broken in a little more..

as to the need for the "best" shooting stance, i've always been satisfied with the one that is most comfortable for the longest period of time.... :thumbsup:

more seriously though, i seem to remember being taught to keep the shooting hand extended slightly over the same-side foot, ie, right hand and foot forward or left hand and foot forward.

shots being all over the place will probably self-correct with more practice and better concentration.. try not to anticipate the explosion as this can lead to "flintching" just before you pull the trigger.

let us know how it goes and thanks for the cleaning tip.

~d~

 

[DanChamberlain]

Paul

There really shouldn't be any difference in a proper shooting stance for centerfire revolvers and pistols and a cap and ball pistol. I would recommend however, that you attain consistency with one stance before experimenting with a myriad of stances. The most generally acceptable stance to achieve maximum accuracy will always be using two hands as opposed to one. Whether this be with a Weaver/modified Weaver, or an isosceles stance is a matter of personal preference.

To really determine the accuracy potential of your weapon, you should shoot from a rested position. My Pietta Remmy will shoot 2.5 inch groups at 25 yards for 5 shots. For some reason, I simply cannot put all six into that group and it has nothing to do with one chamber being off as I've done the necessary experimentation to determine this. I just lack the concentration to keep all six tight.

My gun will shoot a group about the size of a half dollar at 15 yards one handed slow fire. It shoot right along with my centerfires.

With time and practice, you will tighten things up and your gun will surprise you with its accuracy.

Dan

 

[Dave Rosenthal]

Well at least you still had fun making smoke, and you now know that your revolver likes 30 grains!

Quick question about the measuring of the powder....are you tapping the powder measure to settle it and then pouring more powder into the measure to top it off, or are you just simply pouring to the 30 grain mark on the measure?? Reason that I ask is that I've found that 27 grains works best in my Remmy as well as the .44 Colt Army. But I do the tap & top-off method! Interesting it would be if the two methods actually allowed the same amount of powder to be poured into the chambers :hmm:

As far as the stance goes, if your feet aren't comfortable, then you won't shoot as good as you're capable of, period! For a two-handed stance, I recommend a modified Weaver stance with the foot out in front on the same side as the strong hand. So a right handed person would point their right foot at the target while extending both arms away from the torso. Generally 8-12 inches is enough to attain proper stabilization of the hand gun. This method works for me.

Don't worry about what you did at this outing. You were just "knocking the rust off"! That's why you shot better after a couple of cylinder's worth prior to becoming tired. Once you tired, your accuracy suffered. Lifting weights and getting some stamina back as well as practicing holding the revolver and cocking and aiming (not dry-firing on the nipples) will help to re-develop muscle memory you once had. Having the revolver in the leather while doing chores around the house has helped me become a decent shot! If I take a break I practice, if I go sit for a while, I practice! Before long, the hand gun becomes an extension of your hand & mind! Then you have the "edge" you need to do better next time! Then you have to maintain it! Your scores will climb dramatically!

Good luck with the practicing sessions! :thumbsup:

Dave

 

[paulmarcone]

Dave:

Thanks for the tips -- very helpful. I will certainly practice whenever possible. In terms of building strength, that's never been an issue. In my younger days I was a powerlifter and still can bench press a lot of iron.

My main issue is what you noted -- not a lot of experience. I need reps and I need to find a comfortable, consistent stance. That hopefully will come with more range time (which is hard as I run two businesses from home and have four kids ages 8 to 17).

It was a ton of fun to be out in beautiful weather making smoke! And I was pleased that with a few minor sprays of Ballistol the Remmy never binded up and performed flawlessly!

Thanks again.

 

[DOUBLEDEUCE 1]

I am sure you know this already. Sometimes when the shots are all over the place the shooter becomes frustrated. This can magnify the shot spread. Don't forget, grip, stance, sight alignment/sight picture, trigger control and breathing. A common simple goof made by some people in shooting the single action is in cocking the revolver with the thumb on their strong hand, the one used to discharge the piece. This usually breaks the good comfortable, strong grip and your hand has to settle back down again. The best way to cock the hammer is to use your support side thumb, left hand if you are a right handed shooter. That way you don't break that good grip. Try to be as consistent with your grip every time as possible. Over gripping and under gripping from side to side, gripping too low on the backstrap or too high will sneak up on the shooter and throw the shot slightly. Be consistent. Shoot from a sandbag a couple of times, and then shoot standing. It will settle in for you. Most of all enjoy yourself. :hmm:

 

[token tory]

You, and everyone else, has a spot where they "point naturally" without any unneeded muscle tension. Have you found your natural pointing spot yet?
You can do this at home as long as the pistol is empty. Distance doesn't matter for this exercise. It is better done at the intended firing distance though.

If you haven't here's how.

Make a mark at roughly eye level.
A 2~3" dot is all you need. You can even use an existing point of reference as long as it is at eye level.A 2" post-it note is all you need, or anything else that can be removed when done.

Now get into your preferred shooting stance & raise the pistol & aim at your "bullseye".

As soon as you have a good point at the mark close both eyes without moving the pistol.

Wait 10 seconds while keeping the pistol as steady as possible without looking. Now open the aiming eye & see where the pistol is pointed.

DON'T move the pistol, but instead re set your whole body, starting at the feet, so that the pistol is pointed at the bullseye.

Repeat & readjust till the pistol's sights are on the bull when you open your eyes. This will let you find your natural point stance & then use that same stance always.

What this does is to align your skeletal framework & muscles to not be distorted. If you're constantly pulling off center this will cause increased shake & muscle fatigue. Both of these are bad for repeatable accuracy. Every time you go to a range deliberately do the point setup (even without a pistol works, just point with the index finger) before starting shooting. Eventually it just becomes second nature.

 

[David Teague]

Here a tip that I don't think anybody else hit upon...

Move your target back to ten yard.

Being closer will remove the frustration of being "all over the place". It will also give you a better clue which stance works for you.

After you tighten your groups back up, move the target out to 15, repeat, then 20,repeat, then 25 and you should be burning out the center of the target by then. :hatsoff:

It's what I do myself with offhand shooting, rifle and pistol to get back in shooting shape.

Cheers,

David

 

[paulmarcone]

Went back to the range today with the Remmy for about an hour and was able to fire 4 cynlinders (24 shots).

First three cylinders were all over the place, but for my last six shots I really concentrated, bore down, used the same stance for each shot and took my time between each shot. That did the trick and finally got some really tight groups.

And the revolver performed flawlessly again. No misfires. Wiping the arbor pin between cylinders and a little spray of Ballistol on the pin guaranteed smooth action on all six shots.

Hopefully with more practice and range time my groups will be tighter and more consistent.

Thanks again for all the tips.

 

[Dave Rosenthal]

Glad you had fun making smoke and congrats on your progress! :thumbsup: . There's nothing quite like the sense of accomplishment one receives when one improves upon their targets' scores.

Every day, practice pointing and holding the unloaded revolver till it becomes an extension of your hand!

Good on you! :thumbsup:

Dave

 

[goon]

Interesting to note that you apparently had trouble with binding before with your Pietta Remington - I've had the same thing with my Uberti.
I cured it by going with no lube on the cylinder arbor and cutting my charge slightly to reduce fowling. I'm hoping to settle around 27 grains once I get the bugs worked out.

 

[Dave Rosenthal]

27 grains is a very good charge as far as accuracy goes--I'm using it to make Distinguished Expert :wink: