First Cap & Ball questions

[Clickjack]

Update: Bought an Uberti 1851 Navy.


Arbor Greace?

I kept the arbor oiled but I was surprised how poorly the gun ran after about 6 or 12 shots. I’ve Since got some slix shot nipples. And I’m told I should greace the arbor vs just oiling it. What do y’all use?

[Cuda440]

Your Hawken isnt a percussion rifle?

I have a Pietta replica 1858 remington, its brass framed so I keep the loads light. .44 cal round ball over 30 grains of FFF goex with a felt wad between the powder and ball. Loading a revolver is easy since the lever does all the work, you just gotta repeat it 6 times.

Buy it anywhere, even online- it can be shipped straight to your door. You'll want a box of balls or a mold if you want to melt your own, felt wads, a powder measure and horn, and a capper tool is helpful if you have fat fingers.

[Clickjack]

Your Hawken isnt a percussion rifle?

[jimmykan]

Why an open top design?

Not easy to aim, the rear sight is a notch on the hammer.

[rmnc3r]

Steel Frame 1858 Remington is 'better'
Consider that Colt went to an closed frame design (1873 Peacemaker) once the patent restrictions were up
While not 'historically correct' for a purist, You can get a '58 with installed Target Sights if more than mere plinking is of interest.
Cleaning and cylinder changes (speed loading) is simpler for a '58 compared to a 2 piece Colt.

As far as a '51 or '60 Colt - it comes down mostly to your subjective preference of looks
At first I liked the '60, but now find myself more enamored of the '51 in .44.

Uberti is considered the better of the Italian Brands, and (afaik) can still be bought online and shipped right to your door.
I find that every .44 Italian copy has been bored undersized so, one mod/improvement I always make is to ream the cylinder using a 29/64 (.453) reamer to allow .456 balls to fully engage the rifling

[mikeyr]

First Cap & Ball questions

Why an open top design?
.

He said he wanted a Colt style

I personally prefer the 1851 but either are great guns. I have both but find I shoot the Navy more. For closed frame I shoot a Ruger old army



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[Yetiultimate]

If you're looking at the Piettas (which I do recommend as good pistols for the money) the Army has a slightly larger grip. If you have small hands, try a Navy. Either way, get a set of Slix Shot nipples...they will greatly improve your reliability and shooting pleasure.

I have a Navy and a Remington, both are Pietta copies, and they are both lots of fun to shoot.

[CGZ]

Check out Little John's in Orange, he may have some (repros) in stock if you don't want to buy online. Reload in Anaheim should have the (substitute black) powder, caps and balls. The other black powder stores I knew of are now closed.

[Danodog]

Midway USA has a decent sale on Uberti revolvers. This one is $70 off with free shipping. I have both Pietta and Uberti revolvers and I prefer the Uberti's with better fit and finish. The actions seem to be smoother too. I also like Pietta as they very close in quality and often are priced better. Cabelas has the Pietta 1860 for $269. The sale at Midway has the Uberti for $289. In this case, spend the extra $20.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/523261/uberti-1860-army-black-powder-revolver-44-caliber-8-barrel-steel-frame-brass-trigger-guard-blue

[Clickjack]

Picked up a pound of goex FFFg.

I live in a house in L.A. with out AC. It gets pretty hot for a week or two every summer (100+). Gets into the 40s during the winter.

My Dad just kept all his BP stuff in a cooler in the garage. What do y’all recommend for storage

[3006]

To answer your question keep the powder in a metal cabinet. Or even better a small fire proof safe.

[Cuda440]

I keep most of my BP stuff in ammo cans, keeps it airtight and moisture resistant. Inside and out of the heat would be ideal but it would survive in the garage too

[Bobby Ricigliano]

I don't know anything about black powder firearms, but I do recall reading somewhere that you should keep your powder dry.

It seemed like sort of a cryptic warning, but I assume it means that the powder should not get wet.

[pitfighter]

I don't know anything about black powder firearms, but I do recall reading somewhere that you should keep your powder dry.

It seemed like sort of a cryptic warning, but I assume it means that the powder should not get wet.

Regarding the heat in the OP's garage, alone, it won't set off your powder.

Sparks, electrical shock/charge, embers from a fireplace, glowing cigarette ash, compressed sun-light through a glass-window or bottle, etc., will do the trick, but a stuffy-hot garage will not.

Will it damage your powder to be stored at a warm temperature, I don't know.

Keep it in an airtight NATO ammo box, the kind that costs $6 at Supply Sergeant it's cheap insurance.

[Abenaki]

Real black powder does not and will not degrade.

Just keep it dry.
I would store it in a cool place, away from kids and idiots.


Take care
Abenaki