filler in revolver

[jredwards]

was wondering what if any filler people use in there revolvers. i think filler is used so that the ball is raised to near the top of the cylinder. i know that with 20gr powder in mine there is a deep void to the top of the ball, nearly the dia. of the ball itself.
thanks
richard

[Dogshirt]

I've used cornmeal before. It works well, and is inert. I think they make wads to go
over the powder as well, but have no experience with them.

[old salt]

As for filler in a cap and ball I use ether corn meal of cream of wheat and felt wads. I figure out how much powder I am going to use in the cylinder
the place a felt wad over the powder, then add the filler to the point that
the ball will just clear the barrel and allow the cylinder to turn freely.
I then make a list of the load for that gun, and load it that way every time after that.
It is better to to little filler than to much when you start.
Just the way I do things

[gordy]

        Have done as Old Salt says and nothing wrong with it. I do like to know the reasons for using certain systems and have had good success without any wads or fillers (with grease over ball). Normally I use just the wad anymore. It does a good job of sealing the chamber feom the discharge of the ajoining chamber and is extra insurance against chainfire.  My thoughts on shimming the ball/projectile to lesson the distance the ball/projectile travels from at rest , to entering the barrel forcing cone is, it dosn,t serve to increase accy. or contribute to the mechanical preservation of the revolver. This dosn,t mean my way is better , just my way .  and works for me.
         Like some others on the forums, I try to keep proceedures simple and safe.   I have never had the misfortune of a chain fire , but believe that most are caused by ill-fitting caps rather then at the face of the chamber/cylinder. My observations are based on a revolver in good mechanical condition and propperly timed.
                                       

[jredwards]

thanks, had oatmeal at home the last time i went out shooting but forgot it. what are wads that was mentioned?
richard

[Hawken50]

  Well the wads are greased felt wads.Yas can buy em' Ox yoke wonder wads' or yas can make em yur self.I git my felt from wal mart,the doller store or even goodwill.Old cowboy hats are real good.Just punch em out wit an old shell casing or hollow gasket punch and soak em in melted lube or crisco.I dont use fillers,just the wad,most of my reevolers like a pretty stout charge anyways.

[Otter]

I've used sheet cork and a sharpened case to cut .45 caliber over powder wads as well as old milk cartons. Mostly those two are used in my cartridge guns but have stuck them in my .44 Remington clone when out of felt wads. OH, and I generally put a good layer of some kind of fat or animal grease on top of the balls after loading. Seems to help cleanup though it can make a right mess too. At least the powder fouling is nice and soft. Just my way.

[flintboomer]

I have a pietta that likes a felt wad over the powder and a uberti that doesn't. The uberti is the better shooter of the two. I never use fillers, only the wad under the ball or some kind of grease over the ball.
Grease over the ball does make easier cleanup of the two systems and it keeps the cylinder pin lubricated.

[The Ghost]

Back in the day they filled the chamber with powder and lead. The conical bullet and paper Ctgs. I think shooting balls was a later thing. They did not use grease over the chambers. Colt does not mention any these of things in their loading Inst. of the day. Can you see anyone carrying lard and oat meal into battle?? During the food shortages of the Civil War they would not have wasted good food in a Colt.

[Red Badger]

yes but then they were not loading short charges either... back then it was a self defense and short range killing tool not target shooting like we do today so a short charge would not be common.  As for grease I beg to differ as I have seen a kit in the museum in Fort Benton, Montana that had a tin of "bear grease for covering the front of the cylinder to prevent chain fires...

[flintboomer]

Also because they were carried a lot and fired very little except in a battle they used beeswax to seal the caps and the chambers according to what I have read. It would not melt and run out like plain grease would.

[The Ghost]

I have never read or seen any information concerning fear of chain fires. I prefer to treat the Perc. handgun as a weapon. Just me. I never wanted to tame wild animals either. Did the kit at Ft. Benton contain a box of Cream of Wheat?? Good luck guys to each his own.

[Dogshirt]

I have never read or seen any information concerning fear of chain fires. I prefer to treat the Perc. handgun as a weapon. Just me. I never wanted to tame wild animals either. Did the kit at Ft. Benton contain a box of Cream of Wheat?? Good luck guys to each his own.

I'm not at all sure that post made a lick of sense.

[Red Badger]

I have never read or seen any information concerning fear of chain fires. I prefer to treat the Perc. handgun as a weapon. Just me. I never wanted to tame wild animals either. Did the kit at Ft. Benton contain a box of Cream of Wheat?? Good luck guys to each his own.

No it did not contain a box of cream of wheat. 

[Watauga]

I figured the Southern folks would use Grits?!?