BP Cartridges in a Pietta 1848

L

Legionnaire

New member
Finally got to try the R&D conversion cylinder I bought for my 5.5" 1858 New Army. Only had a short period of time, so this was a function test only; didn't shoot for accuracy at all. Load was 30 grains of GOEX FFg with a card wad under a 250 grain RNFP in new Starline brass. Stout, but tolerable recoil, even with one hand. Loved the cloud of white smoke!

The action was pretty stiff by the end of the third cylinder, with fouling on the base pin making the cylinder difficult to turn. Cleaned up easily with moose milk (diluted Ballistol) when I got home; should have brought the bottle and a rag with me, of course.

Liked the conversion cylinder very well. Didn't like how few shots I was able to get off before the gun needed a bath. Is this typical?
 
I do plan to try some FFFg. I'll probably try some Trail Boss, but I'd prefer to stay with black powder in the 1858. If I wanted to shoot smokeless, I'd buy another Blackhawk. I might try lubricating the base pin with some bore butter next time out.
 
I use Trail Boss in mine because of that.
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+1

If I wanted to shoot smokeless, I'd buy another Blackhawk.
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If you want to shoot BP, get used to cleaning as you go.

I might try lubricating the base pin with some bore butter next time out.
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I spray it with PAM cooding spray each time I swap cylinders (or reload), the regular kind (no butter flavor, BP fouling tastes better with the regular stuff).
 
For my Uberti Remmies I carry a small plastic squeeze bottle of oil (Ballistol or olive oil) and put a single drop between the frame and the front of the cylinder after charging the chambers. I then rotate/jiggle the cylinder to work it down onto the cylinder pin and face of the cylinder where it rubs on the frame and in 10 seconds or less I am good to go. The guns will shoot all day with the one drop between loadings. No need to pull the cyl pin and get all messy til the end of the day.
 
Well, I lucked into a Kirst converter for my 5.5" ROA, so am not pursuing this further. I already flipped the Pietta and conversion cylinder. Thanks.
 
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