Feeding a .44 revolver

OneFreeTexan · Post by **OneFreeTexan** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 8:09 pm

I'm glad I found this section. Recently I got a Euroarms 44 cal New Model Navy revolver from a widow. Her husband probably hadn't shot it in over ten years. It's clean and in good shape in a nice wood box. Also had some balls, a metal powder flask with powder, a powder measure, nipple wrench, a supply of #11 caps, a capper, and some grease patch. No wads. The photo's at the top help alot, better than any other site I visited.

Though I've seen some people say you don't need wads, I feel safer using them. I can get them at my local gun shop.

Two questions: How do I get the powder flask open to re-fill it?. It's a bronze looking metal with the spring measuring spout. It has a cannon and flag embossing on the side. I don't want to damage it by forcing it.

Second; what's the grease patch for?

Thanks for any help.

Post by **Niner** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 8:34 pm

Go to the nearest grocery store. Go to the household items aisle and get a standard plastic funnel. The one I have is exactly the right size to screw a spout into. Just works out that way.

Note, screw the spout into the funnel and don't slip the funnel over the smooth end of the spout. Using the spout attached to the funnel you can open the spring loaded cover and insert the spout and it will keep the cover open as you load the powder through the funnel.

"Grease patch" could be a tube of white-yellow grease. It could be used on patches that are used in rifles with round ball ammo or on patches in single shot pistols that use no wads. Most of us use already greased patches in rifles and single shot pistols so it is not of much use . The wads, on the other hand, made of felt and thicker than patches, aid in protecting against chain fires, maybe, and keeps the fired crud down.

In the Civil War, wads were not used in revolvers, nor heard of. It's a modern thing that should be used in my opinion. There are other formulas, like cream of wheat, or greasing the mouth of the chamber. I don't like either method. But...to each his own. Just be safe as you can be.

Karl/Pa. · Post by **Karl/Pa.** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 9:34 pm

Guys, what the hell is going on here? Turn the damn thing over and unscrew the bottom cap. Its just a brass pipe nipple and both ends unscrew.

Post by **Niner** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 10:09 pm

But what he has is the traditional flask. You can't open it from either end, except for the spout. My mistake in not getting the proper flask for a picture. It was just that the one used was nearer at hand.

OneFreeTexan · Post by **OneFreeTexan** » Fri Mar 03, 2006 4:39 pm

Niner, I found that I can just un-screw the spout, and a glass funnel will fit right in the hole in the flask and keep the spring open. My flask is exactly like your last photo. Thanks again. I'm probably going to wait until it's empty before refilling 'cause I don't know what powder is in it.

So if I've got it right, I put the powder into the measure, then put it in the revolver cylinder, put a wad in, then the ball and use the plunger that's built into the gun to seat the ball.

I've done alot of shooting, but this is my first try at black powder.

dromia · Post by **dromia** » Fri Mar 03, 2006 5:50 pm

Just loosen the three grub screws that hold the top on and take it of, no need for funnels.

Post by **Niner** » Fri Mar 03, 2006 9:29 pm

The funnel is a lot quicker ... and you don't run the risk of losing the screws....or spilling powder all over the floor.

dromia · Post by **dromia** » Sat Mar 04, 2006 3:04 am

Each to his own, I've always spilt powder with the funnel method, never with the open top, I never completely unscrew the grub screws.

Pedersoli make a threaded funnel to go into the spout threads.

Those tubular flasks you have Robert are the best with the screw off tops/bottoms.

Pedersoli used to do a clear one but they discontinued it before I could get my hands on one.

stripperclip · Post by **stripperclip** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 2:20 pm

I have both and the round one is by far handier on mine the bottom screws off so I just dump in the powder that way.

riptidenj · Post by **riptidenj** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 4:38 pm

On those all too rare occasions when I fire my BP revolvers I use store

brand shortening-the cheapest stuff available. Use a plastic knife to fill

the chambers. Works fine. I have even used to grease the patches for my

M1841 Mississpppi Rifle-works fine for that function too.

Feeding a .44 revolver

Need some help.

Nothing to worry about

What is in the picture ...yes

Thanks for the help