Hello all,
I'm Steve, I'm happy to have found this forum. I just purchased an 1858 Army .44 cal Stainless Steel revolver w/ starter kit from Cabelas.
I also purchased a pound of Pyrodex P, and #11 Remington percussion caps and a box of .44 cal 180 gr. conical bullets.
I am an avid gun owner but have never owned or fired a black powder gun, rifle or revolver. I have always wanted one so I did some research and went ahead and made the purchase.
My first question is this... the started kit comes with 'fiber wads' but everything I've read says that wads are not needed between the powder and ball, in fact most say that is a dangerous pratice. Why would the starter kit come with them if this is not recommended?
Next, I was torn between 30 grain pelets and loose powder, I went with loose powder so I could adjust the load if I so desired.
Which brings me to my next question... what is the maximum safe load for this gun? I am a pretty cautious person but I'm not opposed to increasing the load if there is an advantage, i.e. more velocity, better accuracy etc... if a heavier load is not really beneficial then its not something that I want to do. Just wondering what is best.
Also, I bought conicals just because of my preconceived notion that modern bullets are conical. Is there any advantage or disadvantage to conicals versus round balls?
Also, I read in one of the posts that it is possible to convert a .44 cal 1858 Army to fire 45 LC cartriges. Just out of curiousty how is this done and is it really recommended?
Thanks in advance to all who respond!
Steve
I'm Steve, I'm happy to have found this forum. I just purchased an 1858 Army .44 cal Stainless Steel revolver w/ starter kit from Cabelas.
I also purchased a pound of Pyrodex P, and #11 Remington percussion caps and a box of .44 cal 180 gr. conical bullets.
I am an avid gun owner but have never owned or fired a black powder gun, rifle or revolver. I have always wanted one so I did some research and went ahead and made the purchase.
My first question is this... the started kit comes with 'fiber wads' but everything I've read says that wads are not needed between the powder and ball, in fact most say that is a dangerous pratice. Why would the starter kit come with them if this is not recommended?
Next, I was torn between 30 grain pelets and loose powder, I went with loose powder so I could adjust the load if I so desired.
Which brings me to my next question... what is the maximum safe load for this gun? I am a pretty cautious person but I'm not opposed to increasing the load if there is an advantage, i.e. more velocity, better accuracy etc... if a heavier load is not really beneficial then its not something that I want to do. Just wondering what is best.
Also, I bought conicals just because of my preconceived notion that modern bullets are conical. Is there any advantage or disadvantage to conicals versus round balls?
Also, I read in one of the posts that it is possible to convert a .44 cal 1858 Army to fire 45 LC cartriges. Just out of curiousty how is this done and is it really recommended?
Thanks in advance to all who respond!
Steve