Revolver Load Confusion

[Ironwood]

I have a Pietta 1860 Army.  Pietta suggest 12-15 grains of FFFG.  The little Cabela's booklet that came with the revolver didn't suggest a load but said the "standard capicity" of the cylinder is 35 grains of FFFG.  I shot the revolver for the first time yesterday.  I was using 15 grains of Wano FFFG.  When I inspected my target I was  there right before my eyes was a "hanging chad"!  The ball had punched out a nice round piece of the target but the piece was still hanging on to the target.

Would 25 grains of FFFG black powder be a safe enough load for punching holes in paper?  Anyone got any suggestions for this revolver?

[Dryball]

Gene, any load up to a full chamber of fffg will be safe in that revolver. You can not overload a cap and ball steel frame revolver unless you use ffffg or some modern imitation of black powder.

[old salt]

Gene
I have habit of starting my loads at one half the cal  and then work up or
down to the most comfortable shooting load.  Just me.

[Ironwood]

Thanks Dennis, Old Salt that gives me something to work with. I've never been a revolver fan, until recently. Still got a lot to learn. 

[William]

My most accurate load for my .44 was 23 grains so 25 is good and safe.

[Ironwood]

William, thanks for the info. 

[FrankG]

Gene , all of mine like 28grs 3fg , oxyoke lubed wad with 454 ball . They will cut a ragged hole with that load .

[Ironwood]

Thanks Frank I may try the felt wads.. 

[FrankG]

They do work 

[Wild Ed]

They do work 

Frank do you have adjustable sights on that revolver?  ET 

[FrankG]

They do work 

Frank do you have adjustable sights on that revolver?  ET 

Nah , 6 oclock hold and squeeze.

[flintboomer]

The felt wads usually work but I have 2 remington 44s. The Uberti won't group with wads, the Pietta works best with them. It all depends on the gun and the load.
Both of mine prefer 30 gr fff.
I have a pair of 36 colts and using a wad or not changes the point of impact about 6 inches at 25 yards.
Yes, I do always use lube over the bullet if I am not using a wad under it (in case anyone wonders about that).

[sherpa]

The only C&B revolver that I have is an Uberti Walker. My usual load is one 30 grain Pyrodex pellet (3F eqivelant), a pre lubed felt wad, & a 454 ball.

I have tried a 451 ball, but I think it was just a bit too small. I have tried one pellet and a ball with no wad, but the gun doesn't seem to like it.

I have also loaded 2 30 grain pellets and a ball. While it really thumps, it hits no where near point of aim and the loading lever drops down with every shot.

If I had an 1860 Army, I would shoot 30 grains of 3F without hesitation, especially with a steel frame.

Flintboomer,  when your matches are over & the hunting has slowed down, we need ot get together and shoot the postal pistol match. I think you'll have the edge, but I'd like to see how my Walker does against your Remington ;)

[beowulf]

" a hanging chad .: must be one of them florida election revolvers ! had one of them pietta 1860 colts , may not be quite as slick as a uberti , but they are good shooters ! used 25 grains of fff in mine and of cuorse a bit of grease over the ball !

[freedom475]

I have a Pietta Rem 58 with the checkered grips and it is so accurate it just hits...  I have shot groups with it out to 60 yards and it easily compares to my modern smith 29 44mag.