J-BAR #18287 Posted August 23, 2020 Share Posted August 23, 2020 We frequently have posts about loading percussion revolvers. Unfortunately Frontiersmen suffer from the impression that it takes so long to load cap guns that Frontiersmen don't do their share of posse chores. It seems like no one wants to be on a posse with a lot of Frontiersmen!! I have been asked how long it takes to load my percussion revolvers. I did not know, so I timed myself and made a video. Using the procedure in this video, my guns function well, don't foul out, don't require cleaning between stages, and I can work on every stage. I offer it not as the perfect way to do things, but just as "what works for me", and perhaps to stimulate some thinking among those who struggle with loading percussion guns. For those who want to skip the video, it shows how I can load two cap and ball revolvers in a bit less than 4 minutes with the cylinders on the gun, and a bit less than 5 minutes using a separate press and lube wads. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYDHrO29fwM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muleshoe Bill SASS #67022 Posted August 23, 2020 Share Posted August 23, 2020 That is a great video. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irish ike, SASS #43615 Posted August 23, 2020 Share Posted August 23, 2020 I try to load while manning the unloading table. Usually 2 shooters and I'm done. If the posse suffers from a shooter taking 4 minutes to load his pistols you're on the wrong posse. Ike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rafe Conager SASS #56958 Posted August 23, 2020 Share Posted August 23, 2020 Awesome video, I've never timed myself but I know I have never had any issues with loading my cap guns and pulling posse duty. I even take my turn running the timer. Yeah you can have Frontiersmen that play the can't pull duty stuff. I have seen a few, but 99 out of 100 get it done and share duty, and if you have a small posse you might not have time to pull full duty but you can still do something. Time when you shoot and no issues. I like to shoot close to the beginning. Rafe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Bullweed Posted August 23, 2020 Share Posted August 23, 2020 4-5 minutes for two 1851s loaded on a stand, with homemade wads, usually done at the unloading table. I may add a minute midway through the match to swab out the nipples with a pipecleaner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Boy Posted August 23, 2020 Share Posted August 23, 2020 Big Lube Tower of Power Loading Stand ... $139.00 Same configuration ...Traditions Loading Stand ... $22 Big Difference ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abilene Slim SASS 81783 Posted August 23, 2020 Share Posted August 23, 2020 My traditions stand broke after moderate use. It's ok for the occasional C&B plinker, but not for SASS Frontiersman. I'm replacing it with a Tower of Power unit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Boy Posted August 23, 2020 Share Posted August 23, 2020 Here’s the one I use ... https://www.dixiegunworks.com/index/page/product/product_id/7204/category/329/category_chain/578,348,329/product_name/GA0203+REVOLVER+LOADING+STAND Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tequila Shooter Posted August 23, 2020 Share Posted August 23, 2020 I use this stand for my Remmies, I like seating 5 at once. RMC Oxyoke Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abilene Slim SASS 81783 Posted August 23, 2020 Share Posted August 23, 2020 59 minutes ago, John Boy said: Here’s the one I use ... https://www.dixiegunworks.com/index/page/product/product_id/7204/category/329/category_chain/578,348,329/product_name/GA0203+REVOLVER+LOADING+STAND If you shoot Frontiersman occasionally, it will hold up for a little while. If you shoot Frontiersman regularly, it won’t. The weak spot is the post/base connection for the cylinder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-BAR #18287 Posted August 23, 2020 Author Share Posted August 23, 2020 I included the loading stand segment in the video just for comparison. I have never used a stand to load (OK Griff, “charge”!) my guns at a match since I started using percussion revolvers about 18 years ago. The Tower of Power in the video was part of a package deal I bought from Yul Lose. You saw the first time I have ever used it in the video! So I have no opinion on different loading stands, other than I don’t use them. When to shoot? I’d say do what you like. I can’t always be at the unloading table because we have some shooters at our nearby clubs that need to sit down more than I do. When they take over the unloading table, I do other chores. Usually I like to shoot near the end of the posse. I can spot or shag brass or run the timer for most of the shooters while figuring out how I want to shoot the stage. Then I can get at least one revolver recharged while the posse moves to the next stage, listen to the scenario reading, and then I can finish the second revolver while the first shooter is on the stage. That way I am available to relieve any worker who wants to go shoot, and work most of the stage until it’s time for me to ride drag. Not saying anyone else should do it this way, it just works for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sedalia Dave Posted August 24, 2020 Share Posted August 24, 2020 Takes me 3 or 4 shooters to reload both of my 1860s. Load on the gun with a homemade stand. My Stand Bottom drawer for balls Middle drawer for wrenches, cap seater, nipple prick, etc. Top is a fake drawer front to close in the open top. This is where I keep the powder flask, Lube, and anything else too big for the drawers. Rope handle is offset so that when carried the drawers don't open. Behind the pistol you can just see the holder for a syringe filled with grease. It has a plastic tip that I can insert into the cylinder and put grease on top of the ball. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-BAR #18287 Posted August 24, 2020 Author Share Posted August 24, 2020 Love the ACME labels! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sedalia Dave Posted August 24, 2020 Share Posted August 24, 2020 Before I started casting my own 45-70 bullets I bought some from Acme Bullets. out of Wisconsin. When they arrived they were packed into little wooden boxes of 100 with their label branded into the box. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yul Lose Posted August 24, 2020 Share Posted August 24, 2020 3 hours ago, J-BAR #18287 said: I included the loading stand segment in the video just for comparison. I have never used a stand to load (OK Griff, “charge”!) my guns at a match since I started using percussion revolvers about 18 years ago. The Tower of Power in the video was part of a package deal I bought from Yul Lose. You saw the first time I have ever used it in the video! So I have no opinion on different loading stands, other than I don’t use them. When to shoot? I’d say do what you like. I can’t always be at the unloading table because we have some shooters at our nearby clubs that need to sit down more than I do. When they take over the unloading table, I do other chores. Usually I like to shoot near the end of the posse. I can spot or shag brass or run the timer for most of the shooters while figuring out how I want to shoot the stage. Then I can get at least one revolver recharged while the posse moves to the next stage, listen to the scenario reading, and then I can finish the second revolver while the first shooter is on the stage. That way I am available to relieve any worker who wants to go shoot, and work most of the stage until it’s time for me to ride drag. Not saying anyone else should do it this way, it just works for me. Thought that looked familiar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noz Posted August 24, 2020 Share Posted August 24, 2020 7 hours ago, J-BAR #18287 said: I included the loading stand segment in the video just for comparison. I have never used a stand to load (OK Griff, “charge”!) my guns at a match since I started using percussion revolvers about 18 years ago. The Tower of Power in the video was part of a package deal I bought from Yul Lose. You saw the first time I have ever used it in the video! So I have no opinion on different loading stands, other than I don’t use them. When to shoot? I’d say do what you like. I can’t always be at the unloading table because we have some shooters at our nearby clubs that need to sit down more than I do. When they take over the unloading table, I do other chores. Usually I like to shoot near the end of the posse. I can spot or shag brass or run the timer for most of the shooters while figuring out how I want to shoot the stage. Then I can get at least one revolver recharged while the posse moves to the next stage, listen to the scenario reading, and then I can finish the second revolver while the first shooter is on the stage. That way I am available to relieve any worker who wants to go shoot, and work most of the stage until it’s time for me to ride drag. Not saying anyone else should do it this way, it just works for me. I like to have a relaxed Posse with 15 shooters. It works best if 13 of the 15 are J-Bars. He seems to be everywhere doing everything necessary for good posse operation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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