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Cap+ball revolver (58) did not fire

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Raychenc

Pilgrim
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I'm new to blackpowder. I searched for an answer, and did not find answers.

I just tried my new Remington 1858. All six loads did not fire correctly.

The cap going on was enough to move the ball in the cylinder, but none entered the barrel, but lodged just out of the cylinder to end my day at the range. I finally figured out how to get the stuck balls out.

What went wrong?

I used Remington #10 caps, 20 grains 777 fffg powder, wool greased wad, .451 ball. Prior to firing I had cycled 6 caps alone.

I am wondering whether I seated to ball to hard. I know you are supppsed to seat just on the powder, but it is not obvious to me when to stop seating.

Thanks for any tips or common explanation as why it did not fire.

Thanks in advance. Raychenc
 
I've used Triple 7 for quite some years and apply what seems to be more pressure than most with it and have never had an issue with it. Trying to apply minimal pressure seems futile for consistency to me.

I'm going to assume you placed the wad over the powder and under the ball. If so I'd guess you had oil in the chambers/nipples that contaminated the powder or otherwise reduced the effectiveness of the caps.
 
I bought an Uberti Remington 1858 and first fired caps like you did then loaded with black powder and all went well. Later I bought an Uberti 1860 Colt, this time I actually looked in the cylinder first and noticed quite a bit of oil in it, probably more than a cap would burn out. That might have been your problem, I only use BP in my guns too.

Make sure the chambers are clean and dry and you can see light through the nipples.

I use 25 gr. BP followed by a felt wad and .454 round ball. I seat the balls firmly, push till they stop then a bit extra pressure.
 
I had that happen just the other day...but it was because I got distracted during the loading process and forgot the powder....All you need to do to get a dry ball load out is pop out the cylinder, take out the nipple and push the ball out with a small screwdriver or a pin punch...much more interesting when you do it with a 33" 50 cal rifle.... :doh:
 
I'm guessing a powder issue. Get a different can of powder (borrow or beg a bit) and try again. If fired right after loading whatever oil ya had in the cylinder (unless dripping wet) shouldnt have caused the issue described. I left one loaded for 2 years and sealed with bore butter and the bore butter dampened the powder good. They fired but sizzled good and only went about 30 feet.
 
Did you completely disassemble & clean your new revolver prior to loading it up & firing it? New C&B revolvers are loaded with packing oil/grease & need that stuff removed before use.
 
Thanks all for the tips. The gun was brand new, and although I whipped up all the grease externally, I didn't clean the cylinders.

You are probably right about the grease. Will clean it thoroughly, and give it another try. Will report back.

Cheers
 
The tips helped. After cleaning of excess oil, the gun fires nicely. I love the 1858!

Thank you all for the tips.
 
It sounds like you are doing everything correctly. Every time you go to the range, before you load the cylinder, fire a cap on each nipple just to burn off any oil. This also seems to put some fouling on the nipples which helps hold the caps in place. On seating the ball, try to sense the "crunch" when the ball seems to be crunching the powder- that's it. The goal is no dead air space with black powder.
 
After firing and cleaning my black powder guns, I thoroughly oil them before putting them away. Before firing them again, be they revolver, cap lock or flintlock, I clean the cylinder, barrel and lock mechanism with patches soaked in 90% isopropyl alcohol. I then dry with patches. I have never had a failure to fire the first shot at the range or in the woods following this routine.
 
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