Hellgate #3302 L

I've been following him since he was "Bottom Dealin' Mike" on the old CAS-L long before he had a you tube channel. I will also put him on the prayer list but pancreatic cancer is toughter to beat than most. He seems like an old friend but I'm sure I'm not alone in that department. Damn!

I recently bought some small pistol primers for CAS. They were Remington 1 1/2 size. Remington also makes a small pistol size 5 1/2. Upon researching "what the hell's the difference," I found the 1 1/2s are made for lower pressure loads like 38SPL due to the thinner cup. The 5 1/2s were recommended to be used in high pressure loads like 357 mag and even the 9mm to prevent primer cup flow. I've seen multiple shooters who have highly tuned slicked up rifles that will not fire off CCI or Winchester primers but do quite well with Federal small pistol primers. For those who are having trouble finding Federal SP primers it looks like the Remington 1 1/2s may well be a good substitute for the Federals that for a while, were hard to find. Since I own no highly tuned slicked up rifles I have gotten through the primer shortage by using small rifle primers in the 357/38s.

I would like to attend the shoot but cannot find an application. Is the shoot going to happen? I can't find anything on the SASS Home Page. I know my computer is getting old, like me, but I'm still "functional". It happens every Memorial Day Weekend. Hellgate

Let me add another way (besides Pettifogger's explanation) the brassers can "stretch": There is a narrow raised ring of metal on the recoil shield that the cylinder rotates against. As the cylinder slams rearward when fired that brass ring, over time, can get indented by the steel cylinder which allows the cylinder to move more and more rearward. This opens up the cylinder gap and appears to stretch the frame but in reality it is the frame (raised recoil ring) that is getting compressed (squashed). When inspecting a used brass framed Colt you need to note how far the wedge is driven inward and if there is an excess cylinder gap when you pull the cylinder rearward. Knock it apart and feel to see if the cylinder pin is wobbly and take a look at the recoil ring. If battered by heavy loads it will show the impression of the back of the cylinder. I've seen some makes of brass frames that had thinner rings which showed the battering easily. If the gun has a tight gap, and none of the above signs it is GTG. I often wonder why they don't make bronze frames which is a harder alloy and the guns should last longer. A brass framed Remington can also "stretch" but it is almost entirely due to recoil shield battering by the back of the cylinder. It is easily visible with the cylinder removed and takes longer to happen.

I'm down to my last couple hundred Remington #10 caps and am having trouble finding them. I found a source but by the time shipping and HazMat is added in it'll run to $13.20 per tin if I buy 1000 caps. Buying 2000 caps drops the per tin price down to $10.60/100 but that is still pretty steep after paying $6 per tin for years. I get that there is a shortage. I have plenty of small pistol primers, home cast bullets & powder but hate to have to dig out my suppository shooters in order to make smoke. If someone has a source you could PM me if you don't want to broadcast the info.

The Remingtons readily accept the LEE conicals. One of my ASM 1860s, an "Hartford model" will accept the 200gr LEE conical with a bit of jiggling. Every other 1860 Army I've tried them in would not go due to not enough clearance under the barrel for the bullet to clear. I can't say whether the Ubertis have the room since I haven't had an Uberti Colt for many years. I never pull the cylinders to load my C&Bs as it is messy and time consuming. A nice "thumper" load is 30grs FFFg under the conical in a Remington. I used to load them back in the day when we occasionally had to put down heavy fallers with the pistol and a 36 Navy just couldn't cut it.

The RWS 1075 (AKA #11) caps are a rigidly built cap that can be hard to seat unless they fit just right. The Remington #10 and the CCI #11 are close in size too. About 1/3 of my pistols will accept the RWS 1075s, another 1/3 will take the CCI#11s but ALL of my pistols will take the Remington #10s or I will swap out the nipples til they do. The RWS#1055 (AKA#10) is too small to fit anything I use. The Rem #10 is very versatile because it is pre-split so the petals of the cup will begin to flare as you seat it so it grabs onto a much greater variety of nipple sizes and tapers. The RWS and CCI caps are sturdier but far less forgiving as to which nipples they will fit for reliable ignition. A heavy hammer fall can overcome a less than fully seated cap to fire it off on the first whack. You can always squeeze a cap out of round to make it fit but they aren't as reliable about staying on under recoil.

Sportsmans Warehouse has Federal SP, LP & shotgun primers on sale for $2.39, $2.39 and $2.19 respectively. They also have WWs for a smidge less. You order and prepay online, have them shipped to your store (no hazmat) and pick them up there. You can order up to 10 boxes (I think that is each item but not sure).

I am in complete agreement with Snakebite and Ol' #4. I've met most of the founders and appreciate their conception and promotion of the Spirit of the Game to keep us focused. My only lament is no longer getting to do the shenanigans we used to do during a match on the clock. I'm getting a little tired of 10, 10, 4 but understand that we have had to adapt.

I guess I'll count my blessings.

SubDeacon Joe, you said: "What else? You buy a straight razor, strop, shaving brush, shaving soap, shaving mug and box it up for her as a Christmas present. Let her shave you Christmas morning." I'm askeered she'd slit my throat (accidently of course). I told her once that in order to get rid of me she'd either have to divorce me or kill me. She instantly quipped: your choice! So I says you'll have to kill me. She says "No problem. You won't feel a thing 'cause you'll be in your sleep." Now I keep one eye open. Michigan Slim: I appreciate the heads up on the cold weather shave off. I'll mention that to her. Maybe she'll knit me a chin cozy. Henry T. Harrison: Same here. As long as she has known me I've had the mustache which is not at issue. Utah Bob: Mine is a 1971 vintage but not very lush.

It started out as just a mustache that has been there since college. Suggestions to shave it off began early in the marriage but it was “me” for better or worse and it has since not become an issue. I think the whiskers went up her nose when we smooched. This year was our 42nd anniversary so none of this is a deal breaker but to me, a head scratcher. So last year I grow a little under the lip “soul patch” ala Doc Holliday/Johnny Ringo (see “Tombstone”). Well it kept growing and ended up a goatee. The wife says it looks “demonic” (kinda got pointed like the Devil) and she said she’d rather I grew a full beard than a goatee. ARRIIIIGHT! On grows a full beard….. Couple months later I say how ‘bout I shave this part off and go with this: my hands covering the sides and leaving the ‘stash, some side and the chin. She says “ No Way! I’d rather you look like a mountain man than a pervert!” I’m not sure where the “pervert” came from. Then she says “the beard just makes you look really old” (I’m 69). So I says “yeah, but then that makes you look like a TROPHY WIFE” (assuming that was a compliment). She rolls her eyes and resumes some routine activity. A day or two later she says, “You know what would make a great Christmas present for me? If you shaved off the beard.” What’s a guy to do?

JD Daily, A lot of LEOs lost their jobs or firearms because of domestic abuse convictions. New laws did not exempt them.

My Rawton, If you go to gunfighter C&B beware of the possibility of hot caps landing between your palm and the pistol of your right hand. Being a lefty, the sizzling cap has never been a bother til I shoot double duelist or gunfighter w/the C&Bs.

Warden, The video shows just two Walkers. I sold my two. I can still use the navies & Remingtons. Red Eye, what precipitated this thread was talking to Big Iron Buster who wants to have the Outlaw Josey Wales as out theme for our next year's wolverton Mtn. Annual with a Josey Wales category.

Hey Dawg, nice movies! Looks like I may give it a run. I've got (I think) 17 C&Bs and 10 or so are match worthy so I oughta be good for it. I shoot a couple of matches a year where you need 4 pistols per stage so I'm used to loading. I hang out at the unloading table clearing shooters coming off the firing line while I load. I'll check with the MD as to whether I need to shoot duelist or not or just two handed at the rifle/shotgun targets (or not). I'll pack 4 holsters if need be and have a couple spare pistols in my shoot bag.

I haven't paid any attention to it but since I might give it a try I'd like to know what I'm getting into. I've pretty much shot nothing but Frontiersman since about 1993. You'd think I'd be tired of it by now. I understand that it is a "no rifle" and maybe no shotgun category. I get that it is an unofficial SASS category. Does the category vary with the Match Director? (Shotgun or no shotgun, shoot SG fallers w/pistol or skip them, must fall vs just hit, etc.) Is it a duelist category? If so, is it Double duelist or Gunfighter? Is it a percussion category?

Good points.

I mostly carry for finishing a deer, elk or the occasional porcupine.

I am impressed and grateful for all the interest in my query (especially the photography). When I got up this AM and checked my in-box I thought, holy crap! There's tons of comments. I was a little apprehensive, thinking of being flamed for even mentioning six shot carrying. I can see there are a lot of polite, talented, informed folks infused with common sense here on the Wire. I thank you all for the fine discussion. It looks like the firing pin between the rims on a .357 will survive the drop test and be reasonably safe for the field. Again, thanks all.

I understand the very logical safety reasons for carrying 5 loaded chambers in a SAA and having the hammer down on an empty chamber. John Wayne says so. When in the field I've carried my single action with the hammer all the way down with the firing pin protruding through the frame and resting between the cartridge rims (38/357). You put the gun on half cock, rotate the cylinder flute under the top strap and let the hammer down between cartridges. The firing pin stops rotation of the cylinder until it is pulled back for cocking. I've never read anything regarding this form of carry for a 6 shooter. How god-awful is it to carry like that? I'm not advocating this for SASS. I was just wondering if it has been tried and abandoned or just not thought of?

I load on the gun with the open chamber marked with a 1/4" diameter red or white fingernail polish dot on the side of the cylinder so I don't pour powder into it. On some guns I also put two smaller dots on either side of the nipple cutout so I don't cap it. I charge 5 (flask), wad 5, ram 5, nipple pick 5 and cap 5.

When I put the loaded rounds into their plastic box I always eyeball them for high primers. Any that look suspicious get fully seated with a LEE Autoprime hand held tool.

Ramblin' Gambler, You just answered part of my original question. I didn't realize that boozes were distilled at different temperatures. I guess that is why Georgia Moon (guaranteed less than 30 days old-moonshine sold in a Mason jar) actually has a "corny" taste. Definitely an acquired taste.

I locks up just fine now.