The Russian Mosin Nagant Forum

Hello folks, as I gather more info on the BP subject I still have another question to help me decide what to get. Going to get a BP revolver to start with but which caliber do I choose, .36 or .44 cal ? Only differences I know of is .36 has less recoil and will be slightly cheaper to shoot....any suggestions ?

With a BP revolver recoil is what you make it no matter .36 or .44 You are the one selecting the powder change, keep it under 30 grains and you will notice no particular difference in either bullet. The .44 can hold more powder, pack a heavy full house load in it and you will feel it. .44 has a wider selection, everything from the Colt Walker, Dragoon, and 1860 Army, or the Pietta "Navy" revolvers, Rogers and Spencer, Starr DA or SA, Remington 1858, even the LeMat. By far the most common are the .44's, all of my .36's were harder to find and more expensive like the Uberti 1861 Navy, or for that matter the 1851, and the Remington in .36. Pietta had some less expensive .36's but they love to build that .44 Navy that never existed back in the day, Dixie probably has some in stock, maybe Cabela's also. If recoil is a problem then select one of the big dragoon revolvers, or the 1847 Walker and load light. These are all 4.5-4 pound revolvers unloaded and the extra weight will help eat some recoil.

Remember when loading light that the powder charge must reach the level of the ball when it's seated in the chamber. The accepted method is to simply fill in any extra chamber volume with cream 'o' wheat cereal. Just pour it in over the powder change, some use a wax paper disc between the powder and cereal, some don't, works either way. You can also use any type of wadding such as wonder wad's to fill the volume.

Uberti Colt dragoon 3rd model


Uberti 1836 Colt Patterson


Uberti 1847 COlt Walker


Pietta LeMat 9 shot .44 with .28 gauge shotgun barrel, cavalry model


Pietta Starr DA .44 revolver


Uberti Colt 1860 Army 44 and Navy 1861 .36


Rogers and Spencer .44


Uberti Remington .44's and 36


1851 Colt .36 steel frame

Uberti 3rd model dragoon .44 and 1849 Colt pocket .31


Ruger Old Army .44


Pietta Navy .44 brass frame


Remington .44 1858

Probably wrong here but. I always say, if your going to go large.....go LARGE!

1847 Colt Walker, a full house load in that chamber is 60 grains if memory serves, same as used in the .58 rifle muskets. Average load is going to be 40-45 grains, I like to pack the chamber with the cereal so the bullet sits just inside , not all the way down in as will happen with reduced loads in huge chambers like the Walker or Dragoon's. The Walker is a horse pistol, that means the holster is carried on the saddle by the horse. I know the main characters in the TV show Lonesome Dove carried their Walkers in belt holsters. Try it sometime and you will know what Hollywood crap that is. 4.5 pounds will drag down the pants even with belt and suspenders, not to mention it's uncomfortable as all hell. The Walker is big, two hands needed, strong arms to lift and hold it over and over again for each shot, however all that weight does help absorb some recoil.

I can attest to the weight of a Walker. The owner of the gun shop had a Colt Walker, some unnamed single action revolver and two wartime Lugers sent to the shop by Rock Island auction that he had bought. Four and a half pounds doesn't seem like much but it feels like at least 10 pounds. Scratched that on off the ole' bucket list.

I miss my Walker, shouldn't have sold it. I also miss the 1849 Baby Dragoon I had, fun little gun.

Thanks for all the input folks !

My original Colt 1860 and '49 pocket model. They still get exercised on occasion. I don't believe in safe queens.
Jon
vvv