[QUOTE=John Mazza;7278]Francis:
Is this gun an antique or one of Colt's "reproductions ?"
Either can sounds like it contains your basic "2F" black powder. Typically, people use the finer "3F" granulation in C&B revolvers. 2F will work, but it'll leave a lot of residue (even more than 3F) and won't be efficient in such a short barrel (probably 7.5 inches). It'll launch one helluva flame !!!!
BTW: My C&B guns like # 10 caps (not the more typical # 11). They fit the nipples better (tighter). I've had # 11's knocked off of my Walker replica by recoil...
Use felt wads beneath the ball, or a lube over the seated ball. My 36 C&B will easily keep all 6 shots in the black at 25 yards - if I do my part !-- This is a Repro- believe the former owner bought it as a commorative about 25 years ago-I bought it at a yard sale- three other fellas had looked at it, but they had "two strikes against them" I guess- they didn't have cash money, wanted to write the Lady a out of area check- and her son-in-law told her, thankfully, to only sell to someone with a purchase permit. In Michigan, if you have a CCW, as I do, you don't need a purchase permit for any handgun, BP or cartridge gun-in fact, you can buy a shoulder arm (shotgun, rifle) without the NICS check if you have a valid CCW-I explained that to her, she called the Country Sheriff's Office to verify that, and then I paid her in cash (and got a signed receipt.) The nipples have corroded a bit so I have the cylinder immersed in Kroil- the bore looks fine- no pits or "coal mine" look, but I wonder how accurate it will be- I have an early series Python with 7.5" barrel and use .38 wadcutters for target work and practice (sometimes I do a Russian reverse roulette- load one of the 6 with a full house .357- spin the cylinder and close it without looking- one possible good way to avoid a flinch-the bane of all accurate rifle and pistol shooting- IMO-As our gun clubs indoor range (for now) is only set for .22LR- my winter league pistol shooting will be with my .22 MT Woodsman circa 1940 ("elephant eared grips")-but by Spring I'll start with this "coal burner" and see what I can do with it-Thanks for the tips--