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Loading cylinders using a press

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leadhoarder

45 Cal.
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I am sure this has been discussed before but the search did not yield what I was looking for.

How many folks load their cylinders using a press with the cylinder removed from the revolver?

I would think this would work well for Remingtons but do some folks do this for Colts too? Removing the wedge to reload?

I think that loading the revolver with the built in ram using a loading stand is the way to go but there are so many neat cap and ball revolvers with short barrels. These have short loading levers if they even have a loading lever at all. I would think that a press would work well for these but I would think that taking the cylinder off and putting it back on would be a PITA if you are using a Colt clone.
 
Back in the day, like during the Civil War, changing the cylinder was the way they reloaded. It was faster & easier & pretty much a must when in dire straights. However you loaded the cylinders when not "pressured" is irrelevant. Load them what ever way suits you & have fun.
 
Here is how I load my Pietta 1836, which has no provision for a loading lever.
20191225_134542.jpg
 
I bought a EZ Load II press from Northeast trade company. He is the maker for the powder inc presses. They were out-of-stock, and backordered,so took a while to get it. Boy, does it work great! By switcing the supplied bushings I use it for every revolver I own fom .44 walker to 1849 .31.
 
Back in the day, like during the Civil War, changing the cylinder was the way they reloaded. It was faster & easier & pretty much a must when in dire straights. However you loaded the cylinders when not "pressured" is irrelevant. Load them what ever way suits you & have fun.
What is your reference for changing cylinders to reload back in the day? Have read they may have carried multiple revolvers, but didn’t carry spare cylinders. If they were extra cylinders for swapping one would expect numerous loose individual cylinders to be found on battlefields, though that doesn’t seem to be the case. Except maybe on the set of Pale Rider or an old Bonanza episode. Also curious why period pistol boxes never seem to have a spot for ‘those extra’ cylinders?
 
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I am sure this has been discussed before but the search did not yield what I was looking for.

How many folks load their cylinders using a press with the cylinder removed from the revolver?

I would think this would work well for Remingtons but do some folks do this for Colts too? Removing the wedge to reload?

I think that loading the revolver with the built in ram using a loading stand is the way to go but there are so many neat cap and ball revolvers with short barrels. These have short loading levers if they even have a loading lever at all. I would think that a press would work well for these but I would think that taking the cylinder off and putting it back on would be a PITA if you are using a Colt clone.

.36 cal. guns load easy on the gun on all mine. 44. cal. guns take a lot of extra effort so my presses work better. Have used many different presses. The only type that has worked poorly on .44 cal. for me and others I have coached looks like the one being used on the Patterson .36 above...c
 
I am sure this has been discussed before but the search did not yield what I was looking for.

How many folks load their cylinders using a press with the cylinder removed from the revolver?

I would think this would work well for Remingtons but do some folks do this for Colts too? Removing the wedge to reload?

I think that loading the revolver with the built in ram using a loading stand is the way to go but there are so many neat cap and ball revolvers with short barrels. These have short loading levers if they even have a loading lever at all. I would think that a press would work well for these but I would think that taking the cylinder off and putting it back on would be a PITA if you are using a Colt clone.
The main reason open frame guns are sometimes hard to get a part is usually caused by wedges that are to soft and imprint the slots into their sides. When the wedge is properly hardened and the slots are fit to it you can often push them out with the butt of a screw driver and then they are just as easy to press load the cylinder as sold frame gun.
 
How many folks load their cylinders using a press with the cylinder removed from the revolver

Load with a press for over 30 years, Especially the replica colts. but occasionally in the field off ram rod. I carry a 58 on the farm daily. Usually have an extra loaded cylinder along for the ride.
 
that is a nice set up. BTW, what is the cartridge case used for? and what cal. is it?

The brass cartridge case is a .30-06 with the head cut off. It just so happens to fit over the powder my measure, and works as a sort of attached funnel to pour the powder into the cylinders without spilling.

To use it, I fill the adjustable measure with powder, then put the modified brass case onto it, then pour the powder into the charge hole.

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WOW! now I can learn something every day. never would have thought of doing that?? right it is a no spill detachable funnel. thank you for the come back.
 
Great idea! None of the powder measures with the funnely thinge attachment ever worked as well as I had thought when I bought them. :thumb: It's amazing how a person can overlook something so simple that does the job.

Another big +, the idea will work great with the drop tube on my Belding & Mull.
 
Not knowing any better, I just kind of figured things out on my own when I started shooting BP.

Since joining this forum I have picked up a lot of information, so I like to pass on tricks that I have discovered.

Use a cut-off .30-06 case to guide the powder; just like Sam Colt recommended! 😳 😲 😀:eek::eek:😾:)
 
What is your reference for changing cylinders to reload back in the day? Have read they may have carried multiple revolvers, but didn’t carry spare cylinders. If they were extra cylinders for swapping one would expect numerous loose individual cylinders to be found on battlefields, though that doesn’t seem to be the case. Except maybe on the set of Pale Rider or an old Bonanza episode. Also curious why period pistol boxes never seem to have a spot for ‘those extra’ cylinders?
This has to be the most argumentative forum on the planet. You have to be kidding me. You and five more people want to publicly dispute whether people had more than one cylinder loaded for their cap & ball revolvers, "back in the day". I give up! Why don't you give a dissertation on the use of extra loaded cylinders, so that the rest of us can be less confused & you can correct all of us stupid members on what "really" happened 150 years ago. This place is getting so petty that I'm ready to give up. What exactly is your point, other than your opinion is superior to anyone else's. Why don't you provide info relevant to the OP's question instead of attacking me????
 
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