Dragoons got some exercise

[Navy Six]

I had previously determined both my Uberti 2nd model Dragoons prefer 42 grs. of FF with loose powder and .454 round ball. With that load both shoot close to POA and are accurate. However, for expediency sake at Cowboy matches I made up some paper cartridges with 24 grs of FF(in this case Schutzen) and 7cc's Cream of Wheat. No attached projectile, but still using .454 round ball. Shooting from a rest at 15 yds, I was happy with 2" groups that were only about 2" high. Almost every other combination I've tried in both guns resulted in groups high/left.
I then took the opportunity to tear down both guns to further clean/smooth up the actions. One of the things I usually do is tighten the bolt/trigger spring screw down all the way then back off about 1/4 turn. This time I noticed the screw head was projecting up enough that the trigger guard would not lay flat on the frame, even with the screw tightened all the way. It wasn't much, but backing off the screw made it more apparent. Don't know how I never noticed this in the past. Dremel/grinding stone reduced the thickness of the screw head enough.
I started to comment about the quality of modern cap & ball replicas until I remembered an experience I had 20 years ago with a brand new Colt SAA 3rd gen. This gun would not reliably set off primers in some factory ammunition. I discovered the mainspring flopping around loosely in the frame and either the screw was too long or the hole had not been tapped deep enough. I shortened the thread shank a bit and that cured things. but how did that expensive gun get through the Colt factory like that?
Sorry if this a bit long winded or wandering, but things have been quiet here. My ongoing project is to put all my guns on paper and stop trying so many different blackpowder loads. I've gotten away with it a Cowboy matches due to the close targets but I realized I was getting lazy! So I just ordered a bunch of NRA 50 ft. pistol targets to get going. No more excuses!

[Captainkirk]

Glad to hear somebody is making smoke! Hoping I can squeeze in a bit of lead-slinging this coming weekend...we shall see. Seems like a long while since I broke in my rock lock.
N6, what made you go from 42gr down to 24 for the paper carts? That seems like a mite wimpy load for a horse pistola...?

[45 Dragoon]

Must be something in the air!!! I shot my Dragoons (1st Mod and Whitney) a couple of weeks ago!! Not much smoke though   .  I had loaded some 45C +p (23K psi) maybe 3 months ago and I finally got away from the shop and did some test shooting. 
  First time for that ammo in the Dragoons,  I'd made some around 21K before but wanted to get some better powder for these heavier loads.  I'm using Brian Pearce’s recipe for 45C +p  using Longshot powder with a 250gr XTP JHP. That's a bit over 1000fps.  Definitely puts a grin on your face!!  The guns ran perfect and accurate as well.  This trip was for function testing not necessarily trying to make a "one ragged hole" target (that never happens!!!).  The '60's  (acp's) were along too for a little exercise.  I'm thinking of trying some 300gr XTP's @1000fps  (still 23K psi) another Brian Pearce load that'd definitely be a "do all" load!!! Them Dragoons got a llllllot of meat in um!!!
Anyway,  glad to hear some folks shooting!!

Mike

[Navy Six]

Captainkirk, I have a few reasons for dropping my charge to 24 grs. One of those is the dropping of the loading lever with heavier charges and/or heavier bullets--I've already attended to the usual fixes for that but if I get over 45 grs I can look for problems. Another reason is potential cap fragments/sucking due to heavier charges. The mainsprings on the Dragoons are fairly heavy and reduces this tendency, but I don't want to worry about this in the middle of a stage at a Cowboy Shoot. Cowboy Shoots are my main--and frequent-- use of my blackpowder guns, both percussion and cartridge. Especially the cap & ball pistols require a bit of special attention to complete a day's Match in a trouble free fashion. So, anything I can do to insure this is worthwhile to me. That mentioned 24 gr load reliably knocks down targets as well.
So if I will be out for a day's relaxed shooting, where there is no urgency and I can clear cap fragments/dropping loading levers, then I go back to the old reliable load of 42 grs.
45 Dragoon, I share your enthusiasm for the Dragoon models. Despite their size and weight, they still have that familiar "Colt" feel to them, where the Walkers do not, at least in my opinion. I have been neglecting the Dragoons a bit lately, something that is about to change. As I mentioned in the first post, I intend to return to more "paper punching" in an effort to regulate accuracy/POA in all my guns.

[45 Dragoon]

Navy Six, I agree totally with you about the Walker!!  Fun to look at but don't want one!! 
  I either and a short, stout spring (duplex) or switch out the whole spring in the loading lever. I finally just this past year removed the loading levers on mine and adapted '60 Army Kirst ejectors to them. I added longer rods which gets the cases out  a little closer to full eject and, a little bit of "cool factor" !!

Mike