cap&ball
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azredhawk44
Moderator
The balls are oversized for the cylinder.
My .36cal 1851 repro takes .380 balls, and shaves a bit of lead when I load them. It has about the same friction as a bullet held in a modern brass case. It isn't going anywhere without some assistance.
My .36cal 1851 repro takes .380 balls, and shaves a bit of lead when I load them. It has about the same friction as a bullet held in a modern brass case. It isn't going anywhere without some assistance.
Drachenstein
New member
The balls are slightly oversized. Allot of speculation about waxing or greasing the cylinder in regard to moisture or preventing a chain fire. Once the pistol warms up, the grease and/or wax are moot. Ensuring the ball is seated tight and sealed, as well as always having the nipple capped, is critical to preventing a chain fire. Chain fires are not fun and more often than not require a flesh sacrifice.
As everyone has mentioned, the balls are oversize. the .36 revolver pictured below works well with .375" ball. It takes effort to seat the ball; the revolver, like most of this type, has an attached ramming lever so the shooter can safely seat the ball. The action pictured is, I believe, a "creeping" type of rammer. It is articulated so that when the green highlighted portion is rotated down, the red highlighted area moves linearly into the cylinder. Also makes a dandy tool for unseating the barrel if it is stuck on by fouling, if you position the cylinder so that the rammer does not enter the cylinder
Niner4Tango
New member
Interference fit - the soft lead ball is wedged tightly in the chamber.
Crisco doesn't hold the ball, but it smells good when you shoot. Like french fries
Crisco doesn't hold the ball, but it smells good when you shoot. Like french fries
CaptainCrossman
Moderator
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cap&ball
on a black powder cap&ball revolver, after the gun was loaded, what kept the ammo balls from falling out of the cylinder? especialy after riding hard on a horse or other hard activities? (i am referring back in the early western cowboy days)
ditto to previous replies:
if the balls fall out, they were undersized to begin with most likely- or the cylinders are worn oversize. They should stay in, because the ball shaves lead when rammed in with the rammer. It's a press fit, meaning the ball is larger than the cylinder hole and should stay in- a ring of lead usually comes out when the ball is rammed in.
cap&ball
on a black powder cap&ball revolver, after the gun was loaded, what kept the ammo balls from falling out of the cylinder? especialy after riding hard on a horse or other hard activities? (i am referring back in the early western cowboy days)
ditto to previous replies:
if the balls fall out, they were undersized to begin with most likely- or the cylinders are worn oversize. They should stay in, because the ball shaves lead when rammed in with the rammer. It's a press fit, meaning the ball is larger than the cylinder hole and should stay in- a ring of lead usually comes out when the ball is rammed in.