I have no experience with a BP revolver, but have been hunting with inlines and Flintlocks in PA for many years.
I bought a rough looking replica brass framed 44 cal remington revolver at a gun show a couple of weeks ago. I loaded 25 gr of fffg and a speer 44 RB and fired one cylinder at a time, and it was fairly accurate at 25 yds.

I then loaded and capped all the cylinders noticing that some of the balls could be pressed almost flush with the cylinder mouth with just my thumb, but I seated them firmly with the loading lever.
I fired one shot and when I went to fire the second round I found that all but one of the balls were missing. The only ball left was the one in the 6 oclock position on the cylinder. Two caps were gone and there was no powder in the chambers. I was shooting over a bench and the missing balls were not on the bench on the ground.

Could someone tell me what happened, and also how do you keep the balls in the chamber. Should I try a bigger ball, load with a patch or make a lamp out of it?

You need the .454 balls, they should shave off a little halo ring of lead when loaded :)

Just couldn't resist reading this thread - what a catchy title!

I am not an expert. I had a cap and ball revolver a long time ago and it on occasion would fire off more than one cylinder. If I remember correctly I had to cover the front of each cylinder with a lube.

Poteen

Please tell me your loading procedure for that pistol. AND what type of powder you are using.

You should load powder, then a wad-lubed or unlubed, then place the .454 cal ball on top of the cylinder mouth and press it in firmly.

This should produce a lead shaving/hoop or halo or ring of excess lead. This will be a very snug fit.

Repeat for all cylinders. Some people put lube over the balls at this point-Especially if you are using REAL black powder!!

Then slightly pinch the caps before you put them on. This helps them stay on. Force them on very tightly.

Try again to fire. Wear all safety items--Eye protection-Ear protection etc..

I was using 25 grains of Geox fffg . Since the revolver was a 44, I thought the correct projectile size was 440. I didn't use an overpowder wad or a patch, just ball on top of powder.
Thanks for the tip, I will cut some lubricated over powder discs and buy some 454 balls. What is a good start out powder charge with real BP. The half dozen shots I took felt like 25 grains was a llght load, but since I hadn't used tight fitting balls or an over powder wad I was probably getting a lot of blow by. I checked the fit of the nipples and Remington #11 caps fit very well.

Been shooting bullseye pistol for about 30 years so glasses and ears are first things out of the gun box, but thanks for t he reminder, it's always worth repeating.

The thing you are trying to avoid is a "Chain Fire" This happens when the other cylinders are ignited by a stray spark.

I use Goex Pinnacle Powder 3Fg. This has a higher flash point than Mother Black, and I consider it safer.:)
Others use T7 3Fg, which has a flash point even higher than Pinnacle powder, and is safer still;)

Now saying that, I am all for shooting the manufacture's recomended load's. So I would advise you to seek out the manual for that pistol and follow it.

BUT, I have shot 25-35 grains in a New Army Stainless Steel model with out any worries:cool:

Sage advise, but the only markings other than proof marks is Blackpowder only 44 cal Made in Italy. I think I will start with 20 gr and work for accuracy from there. I will take you advise however and use some of the t7 I have been shooting in my in lines.

Poteen--It sounds like RangeGhosts done snuck up on you and stole your balls... 'Happens sometimes.

Ha.

Actually, I would either go with a patch or a slightly larger diameter round ball. You said you bought "44 caliber round balls but is that .435 dia? .430 dia? .440 dia? As I am sure you know from your FLINTLOCK shooting when people say they bought Xcaliber round balls there are 2 or 3 different sizes tha that actually can mean... Obviously, this makes a big difference in a revolver, and whatever your Speers "44 caliber" balls were, they are too small... Someone suggested .454. That may be what you need here. I find Midway is a good place to shop on line because they list the actual diameters of their balls.

Do NOT make it into a lamp. You said it was accurate to the 25 yards. Good guns are worthy of being used for what they were intended.

And, again, compliments to you on the title of this thread!

Hoepfully, someday, you'll find your missing balls. They just have to be there. Or yes RangeGhosts. Ball-less RangeGhosts.

I was using 25 grains of Geox fffg . Since the revolver was a 44, I thought the correct projectile size was 440. I didn't use an overpowder wad or a patch, just ball on top of powder.
Thanks for the tip, I will cut some lubricated over powder discs and buy some 454 balls. What is a good start out powder charge with real BP. The half dozen shots I took felt like 25 grains was a llght load, but since I hadn't used tight fitting balls or an over powder wad I was probably getting a lot of blow by. I checked the fit of the nipples and Remington #11 caps fit very well.

Been shooting bullseye pistol for about 30 years so glasses and ears are first things out of the gun box, but thanks for t he reminder, it's always worth repeating.

"Wonder Wads" etc. are not needed. But you need a ball large enough to shave lead when its pushed into the cylinder.
36 C&B revolvers use .375". 44s use .451-.454".
I always got best accuracy with all the powder that would fit behind the ball easily with just some compression, but not a lot, on the powder to clear the cylinder face with the ball. Heavy compression always destroyed accuracy. This is *usually* 35 +- grains in a 1860 Army.
Over powder wads are OK I guess if they don't hurt accuracy. But remember they *market* these things so they have to be "necessary" or they don't sell well. I shot C&B revolvers for years before they were invented with no problems what so ever and thus have never bought any. Just something extra I didn't need.
I do use bullet lube over the balls, SPG BP bullet lube. I used other stuff before it came on the market. I store it in a empty cap box when afield. I used to use food service quality grease on the cylinder pin when I could get it. If left dry or just oiled the rev will bind up sooner.
I have never had a chain fire in several thousand rounds with 6-7 different revolvers over 40+ years.
Also note that loose fitting caps may cause problems so they should fit the nipple pretty tight.
A GOOD percussion revolver is a reliable and accurate handgun. My favorites are the Colt designs.

Dan

Up date on the case of the missing balls.
Went back to the range looking for my balls with no luck.
We are having a Gun Show at our range this weekend so I am going to take the revolver along and try and find a better fitting ball. I really don't want to have to use patches and wads if I can help it. The Speers that I tried were 440's so I have am example of what doesn't fit.


Grandson has high hopes of getting the rest of the box of 440's for his sling shot. All my BP guns are 50 cal. We tried a couple using a piece of carpet hanging as a back stop and he says it's the most accurate ammo he has used, better than marbles.

Good for your grandson. Probably one of the best 9 bucks you could've spent.... slingshot ammo for grandson.... priceless.

Up date on the case of the missing balls.
Went back to the range looking for my balls with no luck.
We are having a Gun Show at our range this weekend so I am going to take the revolver along and try and find a better fitting ball. I really don't want to have to use patches and wads if I can help it. The Speers that I tried were 440's so I have am example of what doesn't fit.


Grandson has high hopes of getting the rest of the box of 440's for his sling shot. All my BP guns are 50 cal. We tried a couple using a piece of carpet hanging as a back stop and he says it's the most accurate ammo he has used, better than marbles.

I assume you know this...
A 45-50 cal lead round ball will hit a small dog hard enough to knock him down at 25 yards. So if he has a wrist rocket type he needs to be careful with them they can be deadly. They shoot a lot farther too.

Dan