whats the best percussion revolver for the money

[@D5quared91]

Confederate cavalrymen loved the .36 and said it dropped Yankees best with round ball, not conicals. Elmer Keith interviewed them and wrote about it in his famous book “Sixguns”.

[@davefellhoelter1343]

I always figured our Ancestors knew Very Well how to balance all these issues and is WHY 31, 36, and 44 muskets or Riffles are popular in their day! Just as a Colt pistol in the same cartridge as your long gun! considering supply chain and economy of scale, no matter the scale? the Colt Navy's ruled their day economically and in the hand of the Any American on average? Never mind how handy these little guys would be in Life Daily every day All day.

[@timlacy2284]

Blackie , Great Video and Outstanding Information on the Cap and Ball , you are teaching me more and more Thanks. I worked with a guy who hunted with a .44 cap and ball and was always filling his tags and he also used a Hawkins .50 cal. . I was right there with you when T- Rex was running around and we used hollow logs to beat on they didn't have drums yet. I will be 61 on Sunday. Thanks Again For Sharing Your Knowledge and Time and Yes You Are The Master Woodsman and Buschcrafter. Tim L.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

Right on

[@johnndavis7647]

I like them all but just for fun shooting I think the 36 Colt Navy or the rare 36 Remington are best all round. The 32 is fun but I'm all thumbs trying to load that tiny thing.

[@1ronKnuckles]

I love when Blackie says "people didn't have a lot of money way back then" at 9:10 Blackie this question iss relevant and the answer is important cause your viewers don't have a lot of money now today lol.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

that is correct thats why i try to show the best value for the buck and to help people have fun but not waste money ..lol god know i did waste a lot in the learning of my knowledge

[@jeffgross6752]

Out of all my 2nd gen colts I’ve acquired, my 61 navy is my favorite shooter. Hits point of aim with my paper cartridges and low recoil.

[@blakejackson6582]

Just when I’ve talked myself out of the black powder itch you come out with another good video on the subject. I guess I’m gonna have to scratch that itch eventually.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

sorry lol

[@alanwilliamson2259]

A good explanation ! I use 16gn in my 1858 Remington with a .451 round ball but all I do is paper targets. A great video once again.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

and that is a great way to do it if the gun likes it and it is just for punching holes in paper no need for all the extra power

[@snappers_antique_firearms]

Great video. I agree the 36 is a great all around pistol size. That's what I have always told people is the best to start at.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

you get lots of shooting with it and once you got it down then go up to the .44

[@elcheaposurvivor8623]

Due to certain legal restrictions I was forced to actually acquire a cap and ball revolver at the time and I bought the only thing available 1851 sheriff's reb pocket model by pietta and I carried around daily as a personal defense item I've recently converted as those certainly legal restrictions are gone away but I see no reason to change from carrying this and buy something new or modern I love it it's great God for talking shooting great gun for hunting great gun for self-defense when you know what you're doing and you helped me a lot in ways of learning to mod and take care of this so thank you

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

glad to help

[@LarryTalbot_1313]

What legal restrictions have gone away?

[@elcheaposurvivor8623]

@@LarryTalbot_1313 I was a felon for almost 15 Years due to me not reading the fine print in the state of Indiana where it happened I caught a felony intimidation charge copped a plee bargain and in that plee bargain there was a reduction clause that I thought reduced it to a mistemeaner automatically but I had to do it manually and in the state I live in c&b was all I could own and carry even checked with my local law enforcement offices state county and township with the paperwork I have I am now 💯 legal to convert or carry something new but I like mine why

[@charlesjonestherednecknerd]

Hey Wild Bill Hickock used a .36 I believe 1851 Navy's, and he did well. With any gun it is the shooter, their skill that translates to how effective the weapon is for most things. Yeah caliber matters if you are hunting something big like a bison or bear but for everyday shooting getting competent with the gun makes more sense than buying the biggest most powerful especially starting out.

[@BradW.]

I may be wrong but I think all of that is spot on for weights but I believe black powder and especially substitutes like Pyrodex have a discrepancy between grains by weight and grains by volume. A 20 grain by volume load of Pyrodex does not weigh 20 grains by weight. I went through this when trying to figure out how much powder I needed for x amount of caps I have on hand. Wanted to make sure I had the right amounts of each. I think the grain weight is less than the grain volume though so as a general estimate you would have plenty of powder by your outline here. Great food for thought!

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

you are correct it is more mass than weight

[@wonder-bred]

I like the 51 in 36 also, mines just such a smooth graceful shooter.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

nice

[@cupajoe7258]

Thanks for the breakdown blackie! I don't know if anyone else mentioned it, but 36 cal is minimum allowed for SASS main match guns. 32's are permitted for some side matches. Hope this helps!

[@jameswhite465]

lot to think on thanks..

[@mr.thickey1820]

Hey Blackie! Ive always been in love with the Colt C&B revolvers! They’re why I got started into black powder shooting, about 1968! My overall view on your expertise here is an adequate gun for SELF DEFENSE if needed! Of course a .44/.45 is excellent! But a “FULL HOUSE LOAD” in a .36 might be MY choice! It can always be loaded down. Need to see more tests on the RB vs conical for self defense. My guess is the RB is plenty adequate! IF one has to really really “scrimp” on powder & lead, maybe “tiddlediwinks” should be your game!!! I want some “AUTHORITY” behind my load! Whatever, how wonderful it is, or WAS for me, to greatly enjoy the Colt style C&B revolvers!!! At 82, I no longer have a shooting range to go to! Can’t shoot them in an indoor range!! Love ya, you ol’ bamboozler you!!!

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

thanks for watching i hope to post more videos

[@tomallen6073]

Used brass frame ‘51 pietta in .36.

[@northcentralindianawx]

2nd of ur videos I watched today first time. You just gained a subscriber! Love the content and math out of this video. 👌

[@darrellh1840]

Thanks Blackie!!!

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

glad to help

[@rezlogan4787]

Despite packing around a .44 these days, I still have a soft spot for the 1851 in .36. I wasn’t able to finish a pound of powder the first year, but I went through heaps of lead. And it amazes me how differently the 1860 and 1851 carry, look, and handle. Despite only being a 1/2 inch shorter on the barrel and grip, the .36 is significantly more comfortable on the belt, even with more weight.

[@Flintlock85]

Hi Blackie! Nice job on another good video! I have a question though about a couple of the powder charges on the chart. At 4:19 in the video you mention these are "maximum" powder charges. The two on the board that caught my eye are the .44 1860 Army at "35" grains & .36 1851 Navy at "30" grains. Those struck me as being a bit high for all the shooting I do with mine, so I went and checked a couple of sources. The first was the Uberti black powder handgun manual supplied with each gun from the factory, and it lists the recommended charges for their guns, specifically "30 grains maximum" for .44 cal. round ball & "25 grains maximum" for .44 conical / "25 grains maximum" for .36 round ball & "15 grains maximum" for .36 conical. The second reference checked was from the book the "Percussion Revolvers" by Cumpston & Bates, who list the original recommended charges from Colt in the 19th Century in Appendix B as being "27 grains" for the 1860 .44 caliber & "20 grains" for the 1851 Navy. Just wondering if you could clarify about the slightly higher charges listed on your chart for the .44 and .36 revolvers? I know in loading my 1860 with a 25 grain charge and a conical, there is barely any head space left after loading the cylinder from the point of the bullet to the mouth of the cylinder chamber, and I don't know how one could actually get 10 more grains in there and not have the projectile standing a bit proud of the chamber mouth. Am I missing something? Thanks much!!

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

thanks for the comment its is because often the chambers are a bit deeper than earlier models i once had a 1860 pietta i could (if i pack it hard) i could get 40gr in with ball and nothing else i did not use that load but i could do it.. often it comes down to the limit the cyl will hold i talk in a video not long ago of where many of the "loads" came from old ordinance manuals from the civil war area where they were making ammo to fit as many if not all the gun in service so a load for a .44 had to fit a colt /remington ect in .36 it had to fit a colt 51 /61/remington /whitney/ savage ect. all of which had different size chambers and cyl lengths ...my uberti 1860 i have now (shylow) likes a 35grs with a 454 rb and likes 22 gr with a johnson and dow so there is gonna be wiggle room..in this video i was more showing how the cost of which gun might be a better buy for first time buyers looking to get the most bang for the buck thank you for the comment safe journeys

[@Flintlock85]

@@BLACKIETHOMAS Thanks again for Blackie for the information!! :)

[@Danceswithempties]

It's funny this video popped up. A few weeks ago I advocated on a forum a Colt 1849 pocket revolver to a 1st time individual who wanted an original shooter; due to initial & operational costs... Another individual (who was right imo) pointed out that after the difficulty of loading a 1849 model 3 times on a bench at the range, they might throw the piece at the target? The .36 cal. with a slightly larger frame would be easier to load on the bench & therefore more enjoyable to shoot recreationally. A little more cost, but with an interest level that will grow & not get as frustrated...

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

yep the baby dragoons are a bit of a pain to load unless you use a loading block off the gun..the 49 with a loading lever is not too bad i enjoy it and elmer keith spoke of he carried on early on to use as a trap line gun for big mean bobcats

[@karsonbranham3900]

Very down to earth comparison, I knew there was supporting evidence for my ‘62 police being my favorite!!

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

glad to be of help

[@cheepwings]

Great video Blackie. I've found it great fun to make my own caps,powder, and projectiles, my problem is finding A free place to shoot.

[@rogerehinger6694]

Consider also the less powder per load the more practice you can afford. More practice hopefully brings about better accuracy for hitting bunnies.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

exactly and once you get good and the skill is there ,then branch out to .44 and enjoy the power

[@jw-sigp2258]

Nice video. Id like to try that bullet im some ballistic tests. I like that it’s 147 grains. Should penetrate fairly well. Also would be curious to its velocity from 1851 navy with good 3F black powder. Thanks for the great video.

[@earlshaner4441]

Hi from Syracuse NY brother thank you for sharing your thoughts and muzzleloader adventures. I'm a long rifle muzzleloader shooter

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

thanks

[@earlshaner4441]

You are welcome brother

[@aryanson]

I like the 1858 Remington in .44, and the Colt 1862 pocket police in .36, it is light, small and has counted for hundreds of cottontail nrabbits over the years

[@williampollock1274]

Love your percussion revolver videos. Thanks Blackie.👍

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

my pleasure

[@johnnottahcal5725]

Completely inmaterial-I oject! (Ok you got me. Too much Johnny vs Amber) IF it ain’t in Navy and 44 and tarnished per instruction by Blackie, I ain’t there. 😊 I save money by concollidating to all 44 but I hear ya.

[@itllkeal]

Thanks

[@blackhat517]

Back in the early 80’s I bought a kit 1860 Army, in .44. I used .451 round balls and 30 gr of powder. That kit gun was dead on accurate.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

i have used 1860s many yrs they are good field guns

[@davefellhoelter1343]

got my 1858 in the 70's at 12 from my bike! now I shoot 454 balls or conicals in paper cartridges, with DIY consumables. I was immunized with brass and smokeless for Years, but now I am Infected Again with Sulfur and Lead with a big Ol Grin on my Pie Hole.

[@jeffrichards5106]

Thanks Blacie, great information.👍

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

my pleasure

[@erolkavlakverizon6112]

I have a Remington 1858 .44 cal. I don't shoot it often. Going to a gun show on April 2nd, gonna look for a .36 army or navy. Maybe I'll see you there it's in Ft. Walton Beach.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

i have not been to that one in quite a few yrs i will be holding my campout in april 6-10th maybe a hr north of ft walton beach

[@jayj8256]

Blackie, I started shooting cap and ball revolvers in 1983... Back in the day, I was instructed to always fire 6 caps before loading to clean out any oil from the chambers... There is no one that knows more than you about C&B revolvers... curious what you recommend? thank you!

[@adamyoung6797]

Thanks! I didn’t even think about taking into account the cost difference that comes from how much grain the guns eat up. I guess you could just not fill up the Walker so damn much? 50 a shot is just … wow

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

yes for just fun shooting you can use filler and less powder

[@heartoflions7138]

Great video... love the .36 cal 1851

[@drmachinewerke1]

I would like a .31 cylinder / barrel for a 1851 Navy ( Dingy ) With the cylinder full charge 4f with a colt conical . So now where to get the barrel / cylinder sleeved

[@claytonalexander9105]

Blacky, in your infinite wisdom. Where can i get or go about fitting Navy birdshead grip to a 1862 or 1849 Pocket? Thats my issue with the small frames, I would love to buy one and even carry one but there no grip upgrade options available that im aware of.

[@KH2837]

Great video! Appreciate you breaking down all of that info.. gotta say I'm a 44 fan tho. I have 3 51s, a 60, & 4 58s & a 63. Love them all but my 4 58s are my favorite with my 5.5 inch being my most favorite. I do really want the .36 pocket police tho! Thanks again for your work on the videos!

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

Glad to help

[@TobySchnoodle]

There is a Uberti 1860 colt old west finish on gunbroker.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

nice

[@timmore1]

Very true I alway say size doesn't matter dead is dead

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

"speed if fine but accuracy is final " Wyatt Earp

[@kevincowan4887]

Just curious unfortunately I live in California where we cannot hunt with lead have you ever poured any balls out of bismuth been wondering how it would work out in a 44 cal colt or rem

[@theodorebranin1365]

Excellent video! I am 82 years old and live in an area populated by its share of inner city youth. I love your videos and practical approach to shooting these revolvers. I agree that the .36 Colt cap and ball is a great first choice. I just purchased with my covid stimulus check a Uberti, 1862 Colt Pocket Police with a 5.5 " barrel. I think that this weapon in addition to fun shooting in an economical way loaded with a Richmond conical would be viable also for personal defense. I watch most of all your cap and ball videos. I have learned much from them. In today''s woke environment being a white haired white man marks one off as a target for the woke crowd. As a senior I find the single action revolver is more conducive to shooting than a Glock, although I have my share of semi-autos. I love my Remington 5.5" 44 . I use Dixie Tubes and use it for personal protection.. Keep up the good work Blackie.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

thank you very much and good luck with your pocket police i had one yrs ago and really enjoyed it

[@aryanson]

Damn right they will work for personal defense, I have carried a Remington 1858 5 1/2 inch barreled sheriff's model, and also a stainless Ruger Old Army with a 5 1/2 inch barrel, which I load with 35 grains of 3fg powder and 240 grain lead semi wadcutters intended for loading .45 LC, they work just fine in the old army, I usually use a 1/8 " drill bit to drill a hollow point about a quarter inch deep, and dropped a deer at about 30 yards with that load, I also have a Kirst Kartridge Converter cylinder in .45 ACP, that works great with regular FMJ and other jacketed loads, even +P, as this gun is basically a cap and ball super blackhawk

[@smoothvern165]

Great info! Really eye-opening!!

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

glad to help

[@flmason]

Which loading would you consider as the minimum for large game? For self defense?

[@morganfrmn]

Which is the easiest to reload? Spare cylinder?

[@jamesconner244]

Great explanation! I never really thought of it that way. More play time! LOL

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

yep more shots

[@mcdradus]

can you shoot a conical copper jacketed lead bullet in a black powder revolver ? if not why not? can a ball be cast or formed in such away as to break up on impact much like a hollow point does?

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

the copper is too hard it makes the chamber pressures go way up and adds tons of wear to the wedge and the rifling at the rear of barrel the plus often the copper hollow points are made to expand at higher speeds than a cap n ball so it will not open and just act as a hard conical having said that dead soft lead with a X cut in the top if cut half way down will usually break apart on impact and was called a dumdum bullet back in the day

[@wiregrassveteranrealtor]

Nice meeting you the other day at Cutts!

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

Same here!

[@e.foster1284]

Seeing those numbers my first thought was "Dang! I need more powder!" :-)

[@DeucesWildRC]

Very well explained!

[@sailingmaster]

Hard to go wrong between an 1851 Colt Navy or the 1858 Remington in navy caliber for a first cap and ball gun. More shooting is more fun.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

i agree

[@donnyboon2896]

I've been wanting this video! 😃😃😃

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

glad to help

[@poppavein1]

The caliber didn't matter too much back then because they could eventually die from infection. Even a wound could be deadly.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

exactly even if you survived the shot odds are you would die slow of infection..even a little .22 commanded respect when a deep scratch could mean your death

[@charlescomly1]

Might want to mention that in cowboy shooting, the shooter has to start out with the hammer on an empty chamber, I would recommend a gun with a six shot cylinder.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

thanks

[@LarryTalbot_1313]

I think its worth buying a .36 in today's economy and considering how hard everything is to get any more. I would say a .31, but the cost for them is sometimes worse than a .44, so the best choice becomes a .36!

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

i just picked up a 62 pocket navy .36 i have wanted one since the mid 1970's but the cost was always much higher than a full size 1851 /60 but i finally got one i will do video soon

[@LarryTalbot_1313]

@@BLACKIETHOMAS I Looking forward to that video! I'm still looking for an affordable pocket model, but so far they all have been to high for my pockets.

[@tommcqueen3145]

👍

[@macknewman835]

.36 Colt Navy

[@swampfox5329]

Hey Backie, why didn't you put the Remington into your equations?

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

i was just giving basic and the powder charges for the 58 and 1860 are pretty close

[@lawson9102]

Do you every day carry a cap and ball

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

usually only when i go camping

[@warlock.420]

Ok stupid question, can a 1851 .36 take down a bear? I'm not very informed when it comes to black powder guns.

[@bwrscott1]

Well done

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

thanks

[@bruceallen6016]

thumb up for the ammo economics education. 😊

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

my pleasure

[@TheKickassK]

0 buck is .32 cal. Might be easier and more economical to buy shotgun refills than buy 100 round boxes on black powder websites who seem to be sold out of everything now

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

i have done that before

[@michaelfitzell2741]

Was this question answered?

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

i think it was

[@JohnTBlock]

My Ruger Old Army will take 40 gr., uses a .457 round ball...

[@daleweller5193]

Wild Bill killed a lot of people with a 36.

[@michaels3429]

You haven't posted a pr vid in while?... Blackie my kid's done growed up n gone. A while..pfft

[@morganfrmn]

Not true brother. 16 oz of honey is a pound and a half. Yep. And a Qt is 3 lbs

[@raysheppard8040]

.36 Colt Navy

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

thanks for watching