61 Navy

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mec

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This was an unusual group though well within the capabilities of this Uberti Revolver. It is six shots one-hand at 25 yards and measures 2". the next six expanded the group by about double and the third six screwed up the group altogether.
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The load was a Speer 375" round ball over a treated patch from Sagebrush by way of the Possibles shop and a 22 grain spout of Pyrodex P. The Speer balls do not shave a ring of lead but are tight enough in the chambers. Hornady balls of the same nominal size are out of round and will often come back out stuck to the loading stem.
 
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Impressive group Mec.
Do you know why the groups opened up more after each series of shots?
Fouling of the barrel or something else?
 
36 Navy

I think Uberti .36 Cal pistols shoot .380 balls. It's a pain because my other guns do shoot .375, so you have to have another set of "ammo". I have not been able to find swaged .380 balls. The hand dropped .380 balls I use have a spot on them that may or may not cut a ring of lead with my Uberti 1851 Navy. All things being equal balck powder shooting is great.
 
Nope, the barrel stayed clean till I ran out of wads. The gun didn't go sour, I did.
 
"I think Uberti .36 Cal pistols shoot .380 balls. It's...."

380s are ideal in the uberti chambers which measure .373. Pietta chambers/barrels are slightly smaller and will work with all the .375 balls.

the Speer balls are of a consistent size and are round. this allows the .375s to work just fine. Hornady balls are NOT of consistent size and they seem to be out of round as well. Sometimes they will grip the sides of the uberti chambers and other times they will simply roll into the chamber and come back out stuck to the loading stem when you try to compress them. they will generally work in Piettas and the loading action will do much to correct the out of round condition.

Since Hornady seems to be stocked by the on-line distributors and the few gunshops who try to keep traditional caplock supplies in stock, I wish they would do something about the quality of their balls. I suspect it's not worth their time though.
 
I did the same thing with an old 58 remington replica. This 61 navy hits close to the sights which is kind of unusual. recently though, Ubert has started putting taller beeds on their 51s and they don't shoot quite as high as the older ones.

for me, at least, that level of accuracy is pretty astounding from any sort of handgun. On the other hand, the Ubert Colt copies will turn in this type of off hand performance with regularity:
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on both groups, right in the middle of the small group. the army revolver hits a bit over the sights while the navy is right on.
 
Mine quickly smoothed out with use. I also polished and slightly deepened the groove in the breech between the hammer and capping window. It functions very reliably and the hammer spring is strong enough to bust cci percussion caps without having to dowell seat them.
 
The 51 is the quintessential percussion revolver and has 12 more years of history behind it. The 61 has a blade front sight which often makes them shoot less high than the bead sight on most 51s. Lately though, Uberti has been putting taller beads on the 51s and they shoot pretty close to point of aim. The later gun has a creaping loading lever which may be an improvement. If the lever kicks loose from its latch, the ratcheted lever might not drop down far enough to tie the gun up.

Basically though, its a matter of preference or availability. I would have favored the 51 over this one but it shoots so good I woundn't trade it now.
 
Here's one possible advantage to a 61. it fits the currently available shoulder stocks- has protruding lugs/screws on the side of the frame. Stocks available from Dixie gun works.
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appreciation for a fine picture

Sir, I am deeply impressed. I'vd never seen or even thought about anything like that in all of my envious life! I do believe, that side by side, that just might look better than the Cattleman's Carbine...Yessir, it is a fine looking piece of equipment. Thank you for making an old man's day!...
 
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