Loading a Cap and Ball Pistol

Below you find a video on loading a cap and ball pistol. In the video you will see that the cylinder is removed from the revolver. Most revolvers will have the cylinders left in them during loading. Also some people us a loading stand that holds the gun muzzle up.

The loader is also using a wad between the ball and powder. These are made for specific calibers so the fit is good in the cylinders. Cabelas sells these as Wonder Wads. These make sure that there will be no chain firing when shooting the revolver.

A chain fire is when more than one cylinder goes off at one time. The flash from the fired cylinder can blow behind the balls in the cylinders beside the fired one setting off their powder. This can blow up your gun up and cause you grave harm or possible death.

The old way to keep this from happening, was to use grease on top of the balls after they were set on the powder. I used Crisco before finding Wonder Wads. It made a real mess of the gun when fired. However, this step cannot  be skipped. Be sure to use either a wad or grease to be safe.

Furthermore, in the video, he squeezes his caps to keep them on. If you use the right-sized  cap for your pistol, this will not need to be done. If memory serves me right, an number 11 cap should do the trick. However, still check the manual for your gun to be sure of the right size percussion cap. Also check your manual for the proper size ball and powder load to be used in your cap and ball pistol.

 Loading a cap and ball pistol

Source for video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jl8EGX6zBZ0

The 1858 Remington has a quick release to remove the cylinder fast. This type of revolver was favored due to the fact that more than one cylinder could be carried loaded at a time. When ever one needed more than six shots, he could change cylinders faster than going through the process of loading on the gun with the cylinder in it.

The other type of revolver cylinders were removable too but required to have a screw removed to enable the wedge to come out. This let the center pin that the cylinder rotated on to be pulled out along with the loading lever. This was done mainly during cleaning of the gun.