another chainfire today...

[m1a1driver]

shot my pietta 1860 without lube or a wad it chainfired. This is the 2nd time its done this. I thought this was a rare occurence? The first time it happened I was using pinched #11 caps and .451 dia balls, So I switched to the proper #10 caps and .454 dia. balls. Loaded up a cylinder today, capped and fired first round...and 3 chambers detonated.. No damage or anything but scared the crap outta me. Looks like from here on out I will ALWAYS use either grease over the ball or a lubed felt wad between ball and powder. I read a few articles questioning the requirement to lube each round, I guess this settles it for me. Picked up some wads at the range today since it was so cold this morning I couldnt even knead the lube tube..

[CDFingers]

This is good for me to read, as I recently picked up a .36 Navy copy.

I'm going to use greased wads I make myself. I read on many boards, many options.

Cutting my own felt wads using a .38 case sharpened around the edge, hammer whack, push 'em out through the open primer hole, then greasing them with Crisco--seems very safe.

CDFingers

[Carsgunsandchics]

Check the wall between all the chambers for hairline fractures just to be sure your not having an internal problem.

[m1a1driver]

I'll check it out tonite when I clean it. Once I used a lubed wad between powder and ball it didnt chainfire anymore.

[cruddymutt]

http://www.geojohn.org/BlackPowder/Revolver.html

I use this guys method of lube between the wad and ball and have never had a chain fire. Clean-up is a breeze as well. I use 75% crisco to 25% beeswax.

[MMA]

shot my pietta 1860 without lube or a wad it chainfired.

wad on top of powder, ball on top, press firmly. Dab of Wonderlube/Borebutter on top of chamber.

you're lucky you didn't lose some fingers.

[joelberg]

Crisco works great as a cheap lube. Bonus is when you shoot it it smells like fresh french fries!

[m1a1driver]

Yea i'm going to try crisco too. I guess that article I read was wrong... they quote the original Colt manual :

First explode a cap on each nipple to clear them from oil or dust, then draw back the hammer to the half-cock, which allows the cylinder to be rotated; a charge of powder is then placed in one of the chambers, keeping the barrel up and a ball with the pointed end upwards without wadding or patch is put into the mouth of the chamber, turned under the rammer, and forced down with the lever below the surface of the cylinder, so that it cannot hinder its rotation (care should be used in ramming down the ball not to shake the powder from the chamber, thereby reducing the charge). This is repeated until all the chambers are loaded. Percussion-caps are then placed on the nipples on the right of the lock-frame, where, by drawing back the hammer in the full-cock the arm is in condition for a discharge by pulling the trigger; a repetition of the same motion produces the like results with six shots without reloading.

[IrishJoe3]

shot my pietta 1860 without lube or a wad it chainfired. This is the 2nd time its done this. I thought this was a rare occurence?

wad on top of powder, ball on top, press firmly. Dab of Wonderlube/Borebutter on top of chamber.

you're lucky you didn't lose some fingers.

What MMA said. That is exactly how I load mine, and I have never had a chain fire. There is a reason you're supposed to use lube and/or wad.

[m1a1driver]

yup totally my fault. I heard people say it wasnt necessary if you use proper size caps and balls..guess not..

[mls343]

I like Crisco too. Smells good and cheap insurance for chain fires...

[CDFingers]

Ummm...French fries...

CDFingers

[Dutch3]

m1a1driver, are you having any trouble with the caps falling off the nipples?

When I first got my Pietta 1858, I couldn't get #10 or #11 caps to stay on. Even pinching the #11 caps, they would tend to fall off a couple of cylinders when I fired a round. They also would not fit in my capper when pinched.

I was concerned about the loose caps causing chainfires. Another member here recommended Treso nipples. I bought a set from Track of The Wolf and installed them. Now the #11 caps fit perfectly and don't fall off.

I also use lubed wads when I have them and smear some lard over the tops of the balls.

[finloq]

The Crisco method has always worked for me, plus it's easy.
Bonus, no fowling.

[Geologyjohn]

M1A1, I have been shooting cap and ball revolvers since the 1960's. I always used Crisco in the early days, and it was a mess, especially on a hot day. In the 1970's when Wonder Wads came out, I started using those. Using both methods, I have never had a chain fire, and don't want to. Play it safe. I have seen and heard of too many misadventures using blackpowder.