.44 Dragoon pics up

Any antique & you'll want to size up each cylinder hole & nipple as well as getting a proper dimension of the barrel... Probably not telling you anything you don't already know, but worth mentioning, just in case.
 
geologist said:
Thanks!
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I could be wrong, but I think they used a 'worm' back it the day. Like a corkscrew but with a T handle.
I use .451 in my ASM Walker...the ring is a touch thinner than ideally. If I'm possessing of adequate patience when I'm loaded... I'll drip a little wax onto the top of each ball. I don't shoot mine much in truth...Like an 1851 better. ASM isn't quite up to Pietta as far as Q & C when they built them.
 
revolver arrived the other day, but have not had a real chance to play with it other than to see how hard it was to load a greased ball.
This thing is huge and heavy, although i expected the grip to be a little larger. It is a US Made Colt 1st model 2 Gen .44 dragoon. Purportedly to be about 40 years old, so restricted. Appears to have never been fired, and was not by the previous owner. If it does have collector value, i think that will drop a little now that i have it.
The .454 ball i think is too small. No lead shaved off, more of a light swage fit. Will definitely need a wad under it if i use these balls. may try this with wheel weight lead, supposedly throws a little larger.
Tried a .49 ball. Harder to set, needed a gloved hand to do so, but shaved a distinct ring.
Both popped out easily with a rod slipped thru the nipple hole.
Guess i`lol look for a .457 mold.

I`ll get some pics up tomorrow . My range is closed due to covid, but may open up next week
 
You almost certainly don't want to use wheel weight. The harder lead will really increase wear and tear on the loading lever and your hand.

A Lee mold in .457 is cheaper than broken parts and should give good results. They also make a conical bullet mold described as .456" and 220gr. It has a bit of a heeled base for easier starting.
 
Here`s a few pics of the revolver.
The large ball and ring are from a .49 cal ball
The tiny lead shavings and smaller balls are .454. Is that sufficient lead shaved off to provide the correct seal to prevent gasses blowing by?
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A wad between the ball and the powder or grease in front of it or both are best IMHO. Caps of the good size either to prevent chain firing if one drops from a nipple while firing.
 
infideleggwelder said:
Here`s a few pics of the revolver.
The large ball and ring are from a .49 cal ball
The tiny lead shavings and smaller balls are .454. Is that sufficient lead shaved off to provide the correct seal to prevent gasses blowing by?
Click to expand...

The lead shaving from your .454 ball is good as that’s about what I get with mine. Your .49 is way too large IMO.
 
Yeah, i`d have to agree. I had a miss marked batch of .50 balls in with the box of .45.
Got to get some felt and punch out some wads.
Good load for the Dragoon? Not too sure how much i will like 45 gr of powder although i will be trying it at least once and will load that way for the apocalypse....lol
 
8ball said:
A wad between the ball and the powder or grease in front of it or both are best IMHO. Caps of the good size either to prevent chain firing if one drops from a nipple while firing.
Click to expand...

Best to adhere to the above. I have never had a "chain fire" myself but was standing at a loading table about 6 ft from a buddy that did have...and I can tell you a chain fire event is more excitement than any heart should have to endure. The gun nor any of us bystanders were injured but I can tell you it had our undivided attention for a bit. The fired round and the two rounds on either side all went off...a lot of lead, smoke & fire fanned out from the gun in probably a 120 deg. fan.
The shooter never used bore grease before that but he sure did afterwards...its messy & takes a few seconds but well worth it.
 
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