Blackpowder pistol loading.

[PA BEN]

I just picked up. My first muzzleloader pistol. The book says to charge the cylinder, patch than ball and grease over ball. Looked over a ton of YouTube videos and the grease prevents chain firing. I read an article on line and the guy said if you use a if you keep the cylinder clean of powder, top and inside use a lubed patch, witch will clean any powder off the cylinder walls and get a cut ring off the ball you will never get a chain fire. He said a chain fire is from powder being crushed by the ball and slid down the cylinder wall, causing a trail of powder. He said look at the greased cylinders after you first shot and the grease in the other cylinders in gone. I haven't shot it yet just doing a little research before I do. BTW, it's the Peitta New Army 1858 44 cal. Brass frame. On sale from  Cabelas.

[Dan-o]

I've shot  a few hundred rounds through mine.

I always used a lubed patch and a tight fit.   Never have packed grease.  Never have had a chain fire.  Just seems to me that a good tight fit prevents a chain fire.

BUT.......   That is just my experience.   And I am no expert.

[Smokeploe]

There is always a chance, small but it is there.   Better safe the sorry later.  If you have ever witnessed a chain fire, it scared the living c**p out of me.  It kinda ruined the shooters day.  It took about 10 surgeries to repair his hand to where he could grap a coffe cup again.

[AWS]

Never heard of using a PATCH in a revolver, some use a greased wad under the ball and Crisco over the ball. 

[PA BEN]

Never heard of using a PATCH in a revolver, some use a greased wad under the ball and Crisco over the ball.

I could be using the wrong termanology.

[Calvin Rayborn]

Howdy Ben,

Welcome to the wonderful world of Cap & Ball!

Why not just ditch all the hassle and load up with .44 cal conical bullets? Powder + Bullet + Cap (bullet rests directly on the powder charge), no fuss, no muss! The multiple gas check grooves wipe down any excess powder flakes and make multiple seals in each chamber,  ELIMINATING any chance of a chain fire. No need for messy greased wads or crisco or lard or any of that other civil war crap (unless you're a purist, no offense).  That's how I've run my Ruger Old Army for years - DEADLY accurate out to 100yds, no joke. Trick is to take your time and start the conical evenly in the chamber; if you don't it can affect accuracy slightly, but when done right is hands down more accurate than a random flying ball (you'll be able to tell by the evenness of the shave ring).

Oldsouthfirearms (dot com) has any kind of conical that you could ever want or need.

Happy shooting!

[Tjkride]

I agree with everything Mr. Calvin said. I have a couple cap and balls I still shoot my own cast round balls and grease em with crisco. Conicals make everything a bit easier and in most cases more accurate, even if loading takes a bit more finesse. They are a blast to hunt small game with light charges. No meat damage just a clean hole but with all the fun of the smoke and nostalgia.