Black Powder shooting advice

[oohrah]

the original Colt 1851 Navy was .36 cal. The Confederates copied the design and made them .44 cal, and also used brass because they couldn't get steel.

If you see brassers, they are Confederate copies, also not as strong as steel, so the loads have to be lighter. Colt later came out with a .44, the 1860 Army in steel.

For cleaning, avoid petroleum based lubes as they react negatively to BP and gum up the works. Water based lubes and soap and water are best, plus vegetable and animal greases. After all, that's all they had in the 19th century.

BTW, it might interest you to know that the "naval scene" engraved on Colt cylinders commemorates the Battle of Campeche in 1844 between the Texas Navy (the victor) and the Mexican Navy. Texas bought a lot of Colt Patersons which bailed Samuel Colt from bankruptcy, and that is how he expressed his gratitude. I always thought the Texas Navy reference was pretty cool.

[glazer1972]

Lyman Great Plains or a Remington 1858 Pattern Revolver.