Centerfire vs cap and ball revolver

mooncoon said:
around here, people , including me , will buy a cap and ball revolver because they look ###y etc but after a short while the time spent loading becomes awfully long compared to how quickly you empty them. For that reason, many will switch to a single shot muzzle loading pistol. Also many originals tend to shoot fairly high at 25 yards or so. If you don't want to reload your own ammunition for a cartridge revolver, there are several Colt replicas available in 45 colt and I think 44-40 but at least to me, store bought ammo is pretty expensive. Ruger revovlers, both cap and ball and cartridge and in stainless, are extremely good and accurate guns. To a large extent it comes down to how much do you want to spend on the gun and on ammunition

cheers mooncoon
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Though I know the OP was looking for an antique that’s why I suggested the cartridge conversion colts etc basically you can have your cake and eat it too.You have the look and feel of a cap & ball gun and you can shoot factory or black powder ammo in it too,best of both worlds
 
Cap and ball are fun. I have Rodgers & spencer Remington 1858 new model army both 44 Remington I have a conversion cylinder also takes 44 Russian and a jb cooper 36 cal all antiques

Could start a bush fire pretty easily. Lol
 
As for shooting quickly, with black powder you’ll be shooting slow if only for the fact that you can’t see your target after a couple of shots lol
 
Smcx said:
As for shooting quickly, with black powder you’ll be shooting slow if only for the fact that you can’t see your target after a couple of shots lol
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Yes when ever I shoot mine I think about what the civil war must have been like 100+ guns each side firing
 
I really liked my foray into single action revolvers. Reloading was simple with dies and a press. BP is a different animal, but if I could afford a real antique and find the BP, I would jump on it.
 
Thanks for the help guys. I think I might keep an eye out for a French mas 1873 reamed to 455 or 45 acp, a Reichsrevolver, or a smith and Wesson model 3 in 44 Russian. For cap and ball preferably a Remington 1858 or a colt
 
James1873 said:
Thanks for the help guys. I think I might keep an eye out for a French mas 1873 reamed to 455 or 45 acp, a Reichsrevolver, or a smith and Wesson model 3 in 44 Russian. For cap and ball preferably a Remington 1858 or a colt
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I have the 3 you have listed and they are lovely revolvers to shoot especially in their original caliber and reloaded with black powder. I did have a Webley shaved to 45acp but sold it and purchased one in the original proper caliber. To each their own though.
 
To the o.p. if you want to get into an original C&B revolver for the 1st time, I might suggest a 1849 Colt. They are the most common & dependent of condition usually the most affordable. But don't get me wrong still not cheap for one in good enough condition to shoot. They sip powder & lead compared to their big brothers. The problem will be trying to locate one at a fair price. The States will probably be your best bet.
 
James1873 said:
Thanks for the help guys. I think I might keep an eye out for a French mas 1873 reamed to 455 or 45 acp, a Reichsrevolver, or a smith and Wesson model 3 in 44 Russian. For cap and ball preferably a Remington 1858 or a coltcompletely burn
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if you get a rechambered 1873 , make sure the throats in the cylinder have been opened up to .454 .... generally they are tight , i've measured some at .446 ..... this was done to get black powder to completely burn , but with 455 webley and 45 acp it can cause a dangerous pressure spike .
 
Most shooters find that loading the 31 chambers with powder and round ball a bit frustrating.
Doubly so for capping the other end as most bulk capping devices are not 31 friendly due to its smaller size.
You need fingers about the size of Smurfette.
 
Brutus said:
Most shooters find that loading the 31 chambers with powder and round ball a bit frustrating.
Doubly so for capping the other end as most bulk capping devices are not 31 friendly due to its smaller size.
You need fingers about the size of Smurfette.
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Yeah can't argue with reloading, but that's got to be part of the fun if your going to enjoy it LOL! It's like golf with black powder...
 
James1873 said:
Thanks all, I ended up picking up a smith and Wesson number 3 Russian model. Now on the hunt to find brass, let alone ammo
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Rusty wood has your ammo black powder or smokeless I have 5 antique guns that shoot 44 Russian fun round. Easy to reload
 
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