I was at the gun store a while back and my kid and I looked at a bunch of the old classic wild west revolvers. The associate brought out a cap and ball and showed us in a dry run how it is loaded. We were both very intrigued by it - we both really like the Wild West stuff. "Load on Sunday and shoot all week."
I was able to pick up a used Pietta reproduction that's in about 70% condition for $60 a few months back in a private sale. We took it down, cleaned it up and re-assembled it and it was tight and the action works well enough where I was confident that it will not blow up in my face. I finally got to shoot it today. I am seriously impressed how well it shot! I used 20 grains of black powder and the lead balls that came in the Cabela's kit from the PO.
I set up at 7 yards, thinking that I may not hit the side of a barn with this thing. I shot a sub 1" group with 3 shots off hand! I also had set up 3 bowling pins at the same distance and shot all 3 in the head on the first try.
The trigger on this gun is better than a lot of $500 revolvers that I have shot before. It sure is a lot of fun with about $80 total invested.
We spent the evening cleaning up the mess and oiling it real good, ready to go to the next outing. Next time we'll go to the NF where I can bring my kid. I don't like going to the shooting range in LA on the weekend, getting muzzles waved at you every 10 minutes by some punk kids ...
Any cap and ball enthusiasts out there? Anyone ever used one of these for hunting? What is the energy you get for a 30 grain black powder load? You think you could shoot a pig with one without just pissing it off.
Maybe stay with rabbits?
I'll have to get a couple more cylinders so I can load up at home and actually shoot more than 6 shots in 20 minutes.
Cheers,
George
