to grease or not to grease??

[John Bedford]

Tried over ball lube in my early BP days and found it just made the most 'orrible mess.

My load now is 15g Triple 7 FFFG followed by filler (semolina - 9mm case full) then plain felt wad and finally .454 ball. Revolver is Pietta Remmy .44.

Some venues insist on a dollop of grease over the ball 'to gaurd against chain fires'. Can't see a chain fire from the front end happening with a load similar to mine though. No spark could possibly get past the ball, then wad, then filler to reach the powder!

A chain fire from the back end, as a result of a cap dropping off, is more likely. The one and only chain fire (1 extra cylinder went off) I've ever seen was a result of this.

Finally, the sole purpose of filler is to bring the ball nearer the front of the cylinder to minimise 'jump' to the barrel throat. To be honest I haven't noticed a great improvement in accuracy (some though) when using filler but there is a noticeable improvement in consistency - less 'fliers'.

[Smokeless Coal]

If you use triple 7 you can just lube your balls with Alox. Hodgdons recommend just a lubed wad with no grease.

Can't use grease on my range anyway. We fire down tubes (sewage pipes) and there was a problem with the grease/waxy stuff, unburned powder coating the walls. Till one day it ignited sending a glorious looking ball of fire down the tube.

[tony1975]

cheers guys much info to think about and digest

was thinking about trying less powder, will give it a go

currently on 26grains of I beleive its pyrodex pistol from memory

fancy maybe experimenting with the filler idea, see what happens

[john paul]

Just reading everyone's comments with interest, yes as a filler I tried semolina used a second powder flask to add the semolina. I think there is probably a slight improvement in accuracy if you can get the ball closer to the barrel.
I find shooting my 1861 Colt Sheriff (Pietta) it is often more accurate than my target version Remmie. Now this could be down to the fact that this gun just feels right in the hand or as using 18g of Pyrodex P the ball is closer to the barrel - hence less chance of any jump.
I like the Remmie, but for sweetnes in handling the Colt is the winner - Mmmmmh and I only paid £70 for it, the Remmie was £270 ish.

[John Bedford]

If you use triple 7 you can just lube your balls with Alox[/B]. Hodgdons recommend just a lubed wad with no grease.

Can't use grease on my range anyway. We fire down tubes (sewage pipes) and there was a problem with the grease/waxy stuff, unburned powder coating the walls. Till one day it ignited sending a glorious looking ball of fire down the tube.

Yes, I always use Alox (the 'liquid' stuff). My wads are plain though (no lube) but I'm going to give "wonder wads" a try when I next buy some.

[Jim McArthur]

If you use triple 7 you can just lube your balls with Alox. Hodgdons recommend just a lubed wad with no grease.

Can't use grease on my range anyway. We fire down tubes (sewage pipes) and there was a problem with the grease/waxy stuff, unburned powder coating the walls. Till one day it ignited sending a glorious looking ball of fire down the tube.

That must have been a sight, Smokeless. Well, not really smokeless.

Jim

[Jim McArthur]

Great thread you started here, Tony!

Jim