RB Diameter for a Colt .31 cal reproduction?

[Dave R]

I have a friend that has recently purchased a reproduction Colt .31 cal pocket pistol,
What diameter round balls you guys use ?

Thanks!
Dave R

[Daryl]

Slug the chambers mouths and use a ball about .003" or .004" larger. Different makers produced different sized chambers.  While at it, measure the groove diameter of the barrel was well, using a slugged up lead ball. Push it out and measure the largest diameter around the slug, ie: bottom of the grooves of the barrel. The cylinder mouth size should be the same size, or up to .003" larger.  If the cylinder is smaller than the groove diameter, the gun will likely not shoot as well as if proper size relationships existed.

[Hungry Horse]

 I think the real question should be,  what size production molds do they make for the .31 cal. pocket pistols. Now I know you can order a special mold for about anything, but is it real cost effective for a gun that is going to be a plinker? I think the standard mold for this pistol is a .312 if I remember correctly. I owned one of these little guns years ago, and it shot pretty well, with balls cast from a Lee mold in .312.

                    Hungry Horse

[SCLoyalist]

The entries in my old Lyman Black Powder Handbook for muzzle velocity vs powder charge for a Colt Baby Dragoon, .31 cal,  show that they used a .319 diameter roundball.  

The 'General Info' section of Dixie GW catalog lists .320 as the diameter for a .31 Colt.    In the product description section of the catalog, for a Uberti replica, the load recommended is 12gr 3F, a revolver wad, and a .321 diameter RB.

A No. '0' buckshot might be worth trying.

[PPatch]

A good indication that you have found a good size is taking note of the "donut" produced when you seat the ball into each chamber. It should make a thin but complete round shaving of lead resembling a donut when entering the chamber. This ensures a seal between the roundball and chamber.

When I load my .36 cal Navy my typical loading sequence is: Powder, wad (you can make your own out of felt or cardboard), ball, and a dab of Chrisco shortening to seal each chamber.

dave

[Frizzen]

I use "0" Buckshot in my 31 Baby Dragoon.

[Pvt. Lon Grifle]

For Dave R., Take the cylinder out and the nipples. Tap an oversize RB in each, push it back out with a punch through the nipple hole. Cylinders usually have marks on the face so you can use them to list cylinder hole /RB diameters by hole number. While you have the barrel off drive a lubed ball through the barrel.  Then you can find bore/groove info. Balls only need to be slightly below flush.

Undersized cylinder holes can be  reamed to bring up the hole diameter if needed to match groove. The diameter should match or slightly exceed the groove dimension.

Then you have a shooter, assuming hole alignments with the barrel axis are good.
Lon   

[Dave R]

Guys,
Thanks for all your help! I will pass this info to my friend!

DR

[Daryl]

The Hornady "0" buck that I have is quite round, a bit hard for ML .32 but would work for most handguns, I'd expect. It measures .320" to .321".

[Dennis Glazener]

I am locking this topic since it does not pertain to to a traditional muzzleloading gun but to a black powder revolver. I have let it go hoping it would die off but it seems to keep going. I have nothing against the discussion of revolvers but that was not why this forum was created. Lets let other forums take care the many different kinds of black powder revolvers.
Dennis