The Pietta ACE - with Kerr Bullets and Triple Seven!

[@nekronenbourg8231]

Instant subscribe! i love your reviews , nice photography nice shooting test !

[@reaperreconnaissance599]

Well, all the more reason for me to get the Kerr mold I was looking at.

[@johnzx6r]

I bought these bullets already cast, just to try them out before I sprung for the mold (which isn't exactly cheap!). But after using them, I think they have some real potential. I have already placed my order for a Kerr mold!

[@reaperreconnaissance599]

Ended up getting a lee conical mold at my local sports warehouse. Have yet to try with triple 7 but with a 24 grain charge of pyrodex and a lubricated felt wad I was hitting a 5 inch group at 22 yards with my pietta ace revolver. Pretty consistent with the results you had in this video. Over all it’s a fun little revolver.

[@jimmybritt9537]

Sure has the sound of authority when you pull that trigger 👍👍🇺🇸 New sub.

[@johnzx6r]

Yes, this thing has a nice little bark to it when you touch it off, especially when loaded a bit heavy. Thanks for the sub!

[@jeffcool9769]

Thanks for this understandable study, good job.

[@johnzx6r]

Thank you, sir!

[@gabrielknox8651]

The ace is such a beautiful pistol

[@khester7397]

Right on. Nice shooting.

[@johnzx6r]

Thank you!

[@lynnkramer1211]

@@johnzx6r It is a very handsome piece.

[@crumply5959]

Nice beanie. I wore those throughout my whole marine corps career. Great beanie, rah.

[@johnzx6r]

Yeah, I really like those things. Surprisingly warm.

[@jeffersoncarlisle3125]

Nice. Looks like it would fit into a pocket. My most recent firearm is a Traditions Kentucky flintlock rifle. I had to get some real black powder for it. I tried 777 but it has too high of an ignition point to work in a flintlock. 777 does work in cap and ball rifles, obviously. I highly suggest the flintlock for the fun factor.

[@johnzx6r]

Oh, I'm well aware as to how fun flintlocks can be! I may have a few hanging around the house!

[@jeffersoncarlisle3125]

@@johnzx6r ah! Well I am new to them and still flinching but finding it fun

[@johnzx6r]

@@jeffersoncarlisle3125 They certainly are fun! The flinching should become less, after a while!

[@jeffersoncarlisle3125]

@@johnzx6r flinch-locks ha ha ...that pistol in this video is cool BTW. I've got the .36 conical from Eras Gone By bullet molds, but decided to only use roundball in my 1851s because the pressure seems more with the conicals. I don't have a cap and ball pistol with a strong frame, with that steel above the cylinder. Even though my 1851 Navies are steel framed I think the design is too weak for the conicals. Anyway thanks for the interesting videos!

[@johnzx6r]

@@jeffersoncarlisle3125 The Colt style should be OK with conicals, as long as you don't try to push them too hard. I also have the .36 Eras Gone mold, but haven't had the chance to try them, yet. Hopefully soon.

[@benjamincase109]

Smoke 💨 show!!

[@picklesauce3781]

Keep it up!

[@thickoc4539]

That was great! I've got the Ace and the bird head thunderer so I'm always wondering how they differ one being an open top and all.

[@johnzx6r]

Thank you! I'm more partial to the Remington style, but there is certainly nothing wrong with the Colt style, either. Get both!

[@JRB781]

You beat me to it. Unfortunately, life got in the way and I haven't even shot my Ace yet. I'm glad to see that it is capable of decent groups and hits pretty close to aim with the Kerr bullet.

[@SlyGuy2000]

i haven't shot mine yet either. i have an 1858 Rem with target sights, so i got the ACE, just to have a concealable version, with extra cylinder (i figured i would use the target model to load the cylinders for the ACE) nice to know i can shoot more than just lead ball out of these.

[@johnzx6r]

Yes, I'm fairly happy with the results. I think these bullets have potential. Hopefully, this will encourage you to get yours out to the range!

[@JRB781]

@@johnzx6r I am also thinking about trying out some 240 gr soft lead Kaido bullets in the Ace. I just bought all 4 of Kaido's molds (.380-145 gr, .457-220 gr, .456-240 gr, and .457/.460-255 gr) because he is getting up in age and he informed me that he would most likely not be ordering any more mold shipments from Lee. Since I have shot the 220 gr soft lead Kaidos and really liked them, I figured that it would be worth it to buy all of his molds before I miss the boat. Kaido is a very friendly person to deal with. He even made it clear that he was open to future communications regarding any assistance that he can give with his decades of experience with bullet casting.

[@gls3894]

I really like the ACE. Mine shoots well for a short barrel smooth bore. I filed my front site a bit as it was shooting low. I really like the safety notches in the cylinder which allows safe carry when fully loaded.

[@thickoc4539]

Smooth bore?

[@gls3894]

@@thickoc4539 Yeah, my mistake, mine has rifling.

[@thickoc4539]

@@gls3894 I remember thinking it looked shallow but nonexistent? Lol. I still haven't filed my sight yet. Thought about trying to install a blade and refinishing the grips but haven't done much with it yet.

[@gls3894]

@@thickoc4539 I'm new to this..lol. I concur, it is shallow but it is there upon closer inspection. I just received a Cimarron 1873 BP and as soon as I get some caps I'll go shoot it. It is beautiful

[@jimihendrix4376]

@@gls3894 wonder what twist rate it is?

[@davidkellogg2582]

That is just an awesome little black powder reproduction revolver. I would not mind having two of them and making them my everyday carry.

[@johnzx6r]

You could do worse - loaded with these bullets, this thing would hit hard.

[@thedefensecoalition]

I love mine. I keep this as an EDC. I would like to buy another if they go on sale

[@SCSlimBoiseID]

@@thedefensecoalition I kept my 1860 replica loaded and ready as a house gun for a while. One day, I took it out to the range to clear the cylinder, with the idea that I would give it a thorough cleaning and load it up again. I had two misfires out of the six (caps didn't go off), and decided the 1860 was not going to be my home defense firearm anymore. It had plenty of power, but I really needed something that went bang every time it was supposed to.

[@larrydavis5192]

​@@thedefensecoalition do you EDC? I was wanting to do the same

[@thedefensecoalition]

@@SCSlimBoiseID the 1860 has misfires mostly because of cap jams. I have a video or two about it on my channel

[@lessage760]

Great vidio sir i love that pistol been looking at them thinking about getting one

[@johnzx6r]

They are nice pistols. I've put more rounds through this than any other of my percussion revolvers. I'm very happy with it.

[@kmorris180]

Watching this I'm wondering how it would be to have a cartridge conversion in it. Maybe with some more precise loads.

[@johnzx6r]

Wonder no more! Check out my other videos here kzbin.info/www/bejne/jKuXpnyMittrmdU and here kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z4S9d6KfZaylf7M

[@SpACeCruizeR2o3]

Fun fun fun

[@johnzx6r]

Indeed, it is!

[@wolfmm697]

Just bought one looking to get 45lc kit soon

[@johnzx6r]

Nice! I'm sure you will like it!

[@mkshffr4936]

I have heard that the twist rate for many repro cap and ball revolvers is not optimal to stabilize conicals. Are your groups generally better with round ball?

[@johnzx6r]

Not with this one. With this revolver, I've been getting better results with the conicals, and it's been very accurate with conversion cylinders, in both .45 Colt and .45 ACP. So it seems this revolver really prefers heavy bullets over round ball.

[@63DW89A]

@Mk Shffr I just picked up a new Pietta Remington Army .44 (8" barrel) last month. Eyeballing the bore, the rifling makes about 1/2 twist in the 8 inch barrel, meaning this new Pietta Remington Army has about 1 in 16 inch rifling twist, same as most 45 ACP or 45 Colt. The last Pietta I had (bought 20+ years ago) had 1 in 30 inch rifling twist, so Pietta has increased the twist rate, probably because so many shooters are using conversion cylinders in the Remington-style revolvers. The longer bearing surface of a conical bullet seems to result in tighter groups than the round ball, in my experience. My Uberti Remington Army (bought in 2008) has a rifling twist of 1 in 47 CM (1 in 18.9 inches), and will put the 6 of the Eras Gone Johnston & Dow 218 gr conical bullets into a group of 3 to 3.5 inches, centered in the head of a silhouette target, at ONE HUNDRED YARDS! The load I'm using makes 945 fps average velocity at the muzzle and the revolver is fired carefully bench rested, because there is NO way I could do that standing! That is using the J&D bullet in a combustible cartridge, loaded with 22 grains Swiss Null B (extremely fine grain 5Fg black powder, similar to the Hazard cartridge powder used in actual 19th Century revolver combustible cartridges).

[@StevenMMan]

Hmm seems really slow to me is that a two or three f equivalent? But it looks like you're ready for a Mukwa bullet for that revolver they come in a 165, 190, 215, and a 220 version. You won't believe how big my 777 load is behind my 165 grain bullet in my Remington 1866 carbine. Same size cylinder. It will ring your ears. Mountain man

[@johnzx6r]

I was using the 3F. I was expecting a little higher velocities, as well. This was actually my first time using Triple Seven, and to hear some people talk about it, I thought I'd see some screaming speeds!

[@StevenMMan]

@@johnzx6r usually faster but by no means a screamer. I am surprised by the lack of velocity, however I must admit I have never tested/chronograph in anything less than 7 1/2". Though penetration test has proven to be very inadequate in extra short barreled black powder platform's in my past. Hint don't try recycling your lead bullets out of multi layer maple or oak 1"× boards you will be sorely disappointed. The difference generally between 777and black powder is relative the difference between shooting goex than compare to swiss significant especially in longer barrels but not earth shattering. Mountain man

[@johnzx6r]

@@StevenMMan I'm going to try these bullets in a few different revolvers and see what I get. Maybe I was just expecting too much based on others extolling the virtues of T7!

[@Reshtarc]

Was there any mods to the gun to fit the conversion cylinder. I seen some pics online about needing to adjust the hand with a file? For the Remington Howell conversion cylinders. Is that gunsmithing needed or are the cylinders drop in and ready go with no extra mods? Is this what's called cylinder fitting? I watched the vid on this gun with the conversion and had the question.

[@johnzx6r]

These dropped right in and work perfectly in the Pietta. Some conversion cylinders don't work in Uberti Remington style revolvers without filing the hand a little bit, but I have not had any issues with any recently made Piettas. If you have an older model Pietta made more than 10 or so years ago, some fitting may be required, but in newer ones they should work no problem.

[@GenderSkins]

Given the snub nose barrel, I would not expect numbers much higher then what you got with it being cold. Of course the ambient temperature, and other environmental factors are going to make a difference. I just would not expect numbers closer to that of a Colt 1860 Army .44 with an 8inch barrel or an 1851 Navy in .36 with a 7.5 inch barrel. But the numbers are still good none the less.

[@johnzx6r]

I'm not disappointed with the velocities I got - I thought that they were actually pretty good, considering, and would certainly give a good thump to anything you might be shooting at!

[@josephhaack5711]

No loading footage? Woukdnlikentinaee Kerr bullet loading in 1858 Rem, 1860 Colt and 1851 Colt .44

[@johnzx6r]

I have shown the loading process in a few of my earlier videos, but have lately stopped doing it. KZbin is really neurotic when it comes to videos featuring firearms, and I have heard that they have pulled reloading videos and demonetized other channels that feature cartridge reloading. So in order to keep KZbin from dinging me over some arbitrary "rule", for the time being I just avoid showing the loading process.

[@StevenMMan]

Uploaded a test video this afternoon

[@omnivore2220]

I've chrono'd a lot of different loads using T7, and find it generally more erratic than other powders. I started out using real black powder, and then went through most of the substitutes, including the pellets. Over the years I've circled back to using mostly just black powder, mainly Olde Eynsford and Swiss, for their power, consistency, and for BP's easier ignition compared to the subs. See my latest shooting video, "Shooting with paper cartridges, Uberti Walker and 1858 Remington", for a look at the accuracy potential of some of these percussion revolvers. I also have a vid on how you can try modern bullet designs, in addition to "period correct" bullets. I'm curious as to why you use only one hand to fire a pistol. Are you a Bullseye competitor?

[@johnzx6r]

I have done some Bullseye shooting, but mostly I just find it more "natural", for lack of a better word, to shoot these percussion revolvers one handed. I have used almost exclusively black powder, and some Pyrodex, but the first shots shown in this video was the very first time I have tried T7. I'm going to play around with it a bit more of course, but I doubt I'll be giving up real black for it any time soon! I'll be checking out your videos, too.

[@SCSlimBoiseID]

Looks like a cool little adaptation of the 1858 Remington. Do you have a jig for reloading the cylinder, or does it take one of those brass rods that passes through the lower front of the frame for ramming projectiles into each chamber? Nice video. Cheers.

[@johnzx6r]

With these you need to remove the cylinder and load it on a separate loading press. A little bit of an added expense, but makes loading these a bit easier than a typical percussion revolver with the under barrel loading lever.

[@SCSlimBoiseID]

@@johnzx6r I have one of those loading presses for my 1860 Army clone. Works pretty good! Cheers.

[@johnzx6r]

@@SCSlimBoiseID They do work well. I usually use one even when the revolver I'm using at the time has it's own loading lever.

[@SCSlimBoiseID]

@@johnzx6r Roger that. I use mine primarily at the range, where there is a table to set things on. If I'm out hiking around and taking pot shots at targets of opportunity, I use the 1860's loading lever. The tool certainly makes things easier. Cheers.

[@BamBlamboTv]

If you had a second larger 1858 gun you could load cylinders on that gun and just swap em over to the smaller gun that way you dont need a whole new loading stand.

[@SlyGuy2000]

were you using a patch to load the rounds? or just a felt seperator between bullet and powder? or were you right on top of the powder?

[@johnzx6r]

Right on top of the powder. These bullets have a couple lube grooves, so the bullets are lubricated with a blend of beeswax and Crisco. The beeswax stiffens up the Crisco, so it is a pretty solid lubricant - similar to what you might find on a cast bullet designed for smokless powder cartridges, but this works better for black powder. It will not contaminate or ruin the powder in any way, especially when it's as cold as it was!

[@SlyGuy2000]

@@johnzx6r Thanks! i bought my ACE several months ago, but have yet to fire it. i have a target model 1858 to load the cylinders. do you think pyrodex has enough umpf, to push these Kerr conicals?

[@johnzx6r]

@@SlyGuy2000 Absolutely! Pyrodex typically has less power than T7, but more than real black powder. You could probably start at around 22 grains of Pyrodex and work up from there, see how the gun shoots with different charges.

[@Bobby-od2yf]

Would like to see you try 30 grains bet it make a big difference in the speed or even 35 that's what I shoot outta my Remington army sheriff model

[@johnzx6r]

Yup, I plan on trying it out with different powder charges and see how it performs - I think these bullets have some potential in this revolver.

[@JamesHannibalKH2SR]

have you ever shot ITX Roundballs out of any of your blackpowder revolvers? Is it safe?

[@johnzx6r]

Had to look them up - I had never heard of them before. Sounds like they are pretty hard, and may work OK in single-shot handguns and long-guns, but revolvers need a soft projectile. A revolver bullet gets swaged a little bit when it is rammed into the cylinder, and then some more when it hits the forcing cone of the barrel, creating a tight seal with the rifling in the barrel. If you've ever seen a projectile recovered from being fired in a black powder revolver, it is no longer round - it's sides are flat where the ball was squeezed down into the rifling of the barrel. It sounds to me as though those ITX balls are way too hard for a revolver. Stick with pure lead.

[@JamesHannibalKH2SR]

@@johnzx6r Thanks for your feedback on this.

[@farklestaxbaum4945]

Man I could tell that thing was kicking much harder than with standard balls at the first shot. What is the weight of these bullets?

[@johnzx6r]

As cast, the ones I were using weighed 220 grains. A .454" round ball weighs about 140 gr.

[@JaguarPriest]

Aren’t balls more lethal? I thought they were also used more in the civil war, no?

[@johnzx6r]

Both the Union and the Confederate states issued ammunition for revolvers loaded with conical bullets. It's my understanding that conicals would be far more prominent in the Civil War than round balls would be. As far as more lethal, I guess that depends. Round balls are lighter and have more velocity. Conicals are heavier and slower but will retain their energy better. At close range there is probably not much difference between the two, but as you get to longer ranges the conical probably has the edge.

[@johnblankenship4295]

Is the pietta ace available in a birds head grip?

[@johnzx6r]

No - not at this time anyway. Though Pietta did offer a limited run of a Sheriff length 1858 (5.5-inch barrel) with a rounded backstap, and so could probably easily offer the ACE in that configuration, it is only offered with the square grip.

[@aguilayserpiente]

The added benefit is the smoke screen. No one can find you.

[@ktanner11]

Conversion cylinder i think would be the best IMHO if one was going to carry it

[@johnzx6r]

Yup, done that, too. Both .45 Colt and .45 ACP conversion cylinders.

[@tedschneider2305]

I have never seen anyone shoot with both eyes wide open ?

[@johnzx6r]

Closing one eye goes against how your body wants to work. Your eyes work in unison - you generally have either both eyes open or both eyes closed. Closing just one eye puts a lot of strain on the muscles around the eye, leading to fatigue in a very short time. Shooting with both eyes open is less fatiguing to the eye muscles. After a bit of practice, you get used to it, and start ignoring what your non-dominant eye sees, and just focus on the sights with your dominant eye. Pistol, rifle - it doesn't matter - shoot with both eyes open.

[@tedschneider2305]

@@johnzx6r I'm going to try that technique.... thanks

[@johnzx6r]

@@tedschneider2305 It takes a bit of practice, but if you keep at it, you will eventually begin to see only what you need to see and ignore what you don't.

[@BamBlamboTv]

Keeping both eyes open gives you better depth perception. As someone who's right eye doesn't work at times trust me you need em both.