The 1849 Colt revolver was Sam Colt’s first offering to the commercial market and truly the first practical concealed carry handgun that could get off multiple shots-five of them. Also, the Ruger Old Army is not included as it is neither currently manufactured nor did it exist in the 19th century. Few guns ever used frames made of such material and today’s replicas using brass will shake loose over time. Also ignored are brass framed guns-not for snobbish reasons-but for the sake of historical accuracy and long-term durability. Firearms like the LeMat, the Starr Army, and the Colt Paterson tend to be both expensive and more complicated for a new shooter. When evaluating a black powder revolver, four factors come to mind: historical accuracy, handling, reliability, and price. All of these weapons offer repeat firepower and a heartfelt nostalgia for the romantic Old West… But which are the best? Unsurprisingly, black powder revolvers are especially prevalent now as many new black powder shooters start out owning one of these wheelguns. Combine that with the low cost of shooting and maintenance and it means now is the time to get into this sport if you have ever been on the fence. Prices on currently made models are lower than ever. The peculiar aesthetics are also something people take note of, but nothing is quite as fulfilling as putting old-timey lead on paper or an appropriate game animal. Touch off a black powder firearm and it gets everyone’s attention, from the cloud of blank smoke and jet of flames to the loud cough of the report. Is there anything more enjoyable than making smoke-in a healthy way? I am talking about black powder, of course. Shop at Sportsman’s Guide for a fine selection of Black Powder Rifles, Pistols, and Accessories!.1848 Dragoon 44 caliber revolver, upper left 1861 Navy 36 caliber revolver, middle 1848 Baby Dragoon 31 caliber revolver, right. In spite of all the hype, most muzzleloading rifles are at best a 150-yard firearm with 200-220 yards being the maximum that can be expected from all but the most accurate of guns and loads and expert marksmen. These ads have misled many novice muzzleloaders into unrealistic expectations from a black powder firearm. Many gun marketers have been touting the capability of using 150-grain powder charges and enhancing velocities in excess of 2,200 feet per second. If groups are wider with the above loads, reduce powder charge by 5- to 10 grains. This will place my impact in the 6-inch kill zone out to 150 yards.Īn accurate rifle-bullet-powder combination will easily shoot 1-inch groups at 50 yards and 3-inch groups at 100. For long-range hunting opportunities, I sight my in-line guns for impact 2 inches above the bull’s-eye at 100 yards. This will put me in the 6-inch kill zone out to 120 yards. I sight-in any muzzleloader at 50 yards, trying to impact 3 inches above the bull’s-eye. 54-caliber sabots, conicals (try 425-grain bullets) and patched round balls with equal accuracy.
An 85- to 100-grain charge will effectively shoot. 54-caliber muzzleloader is almost universally manufactured with a 1-48 twist, although I have a still-serviceable 35-year-old side hammer gun in that caliber with a 1-turn-in-72 twist rate, which was good for patched round balls only. 50-caliber muzzleloader with a 1-32 to 1-38 twist rate should do well with the same sabots and conicals with a propellant charge in the 85- to 90-grain range.Ī modern. Conicals in the 300- to 385-grain range typically do very well with a similar powder charge.Ī. Most in-lines and replica hunters are now shot at pre-set propellant levels with preferred projectiles and the sights are adjusted to set the impact point.Ī large part of the reason for the change is the development of popular pellets (Pyrodex was first) manufactured in 50-, 30- and 20-grain capsule units.įor whitetail deer hunting, in-lines with a 1-turn-in-24 inches to 1-28 twist will deliver excellent performance with a 100-grain propellant charge and sabots in the 250- to 300-grain range.