1860 army

[DCB]

picked up this cap and ball today its a Pietta in 44cal 8" barrel.
Have not shot it yet. Going to try for tomorrow.
25grs of Parodex .454 round ball and #10 primers.
They had a 36cal with an octagon barrel, If I like shooting this thing I might go get it .

[RudyN]

You will like it I have one along with several other C&B revolvers.

[Cosmic_Charlie]

I was just looking at a .36 cal Uberti Navy. Kind of makes sense to have one if you're a caster.

[derek45]

They are a lot of fun.

I prefer real black powder, GOEX fffg

mine likes
30grs with a 200gr RNL LEE
35grs with a .454" roundball.




.
.
.
.
PS - I'm thinking about getting a Remington New Army to go with it.

[Half Dog]

I also have one. I really enjoy shooting it but they hit high. I was told the sights were made to hit at 50 yards.

I tried to imagine me loading and shooting while riding a horse and the number of gunpowder kegs it would take to do that.

[DCB]

Nice, I like 1860 Army. the grips seen a little longer. the trigger loop is a little small hope it ok and does not get into my finger on recoil.
I need to start looking for a mold. not sure what I need .
I have a pound of fffg to try as well
?? ever use wads??

[Rick R]

I have a Pietta 1860 Army, that thing is a hoot to shoot. I use Goex fffg, .454 lead balls, with a Wonder Wad under the ball and Bore Butter over it. I went to Track of the Wolf and replaced the #10 nipples with #11 nipples, they’re just easier to source and they seem to stay on better.

From what I’d read the sights are designed for hitting a man size target at 100 yards from horseback. These were the first “Assault Weapons”. ;D

[Silver Jack Hammer]

I’ve used Wonder Wads and put grease over the chambers, both prevent chain firing.

Here’s a joke: How do you stop chain firing? Answer: You can’t stop it after it starts, just hang on to it until it’s over.

[higgins]

Slug your chamber mouths before you buy a mold if you don't already have one. My Pietta 1860 measures .447. I posted a thread years ago about Pietta chamber dimensions and found that my gun was in the .446-.447 range that some others reported. I ended up with a .451 Lee mold that casts a true .451 ball. They are fun.

[Drm50]

I never got into replicas. I would get them on trades and give them to my dad. He liked to fool with them. We had a .36 Navy that was family heirloom from Civil War. Dad would shoot it about once a year, clean up and put away. Me an Bro started buying Dad the different Colt & Rem replicas and he was shooting up a storm. We bought him Ruger Old Army when it came out and he lost interest in the others. If you want one to shoot the Ruger is the one you want.

[DCB]

Thanks for all the insight and wisdom. Ill take a look at the Rugers

[Martin Luber]

Higgins says measure the chambers but also measure the groove. I saw one with small throats and a larger groove, thats why it was sold cheap.

[Gtek]

That's when you have the front of the cylinders bored to match groove, taller front sight to file in to the 25-30 grain loads. Then you got a shooter to then buy a couple bolts and hands and to learn fitting for a sweet click, clack, clunk!

[DCB]

There will be a learning curve for sure, I shot some BP back in the day about 40yrs ago and didnt have a clue.
Ill measure everything and see how it will all come together.
Thanks

[Silver Jack Hammer]

Your powder charge is measured by the spout on the the powder flask. Forgive me if you already knew this...

[Patrick L]

You gonna pull those pistols or whistle Dixie?

[smkummer]

The 1860 has for myself about the best feeling grip frame of any single action. Your 25 grain load is about right. Need to go shoot mine again sometime.