The Good old Walker
- Thread starter Desert Scorpion
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sjohns
Member
You can also slightly modify the latch spring
John,
Can you post a pic with an arrow on it to show exactly where to file on it?
John,
Can you post a pic with an arrow on it to show exactly where to file on it?
Yankee John
Member
sjohns- The forum won't let me attach the same pic to more than one post.
But if you go to the thread that I linked in my post above, I have a very good pic of the modification in post #15.
Hope this helps!
John
But if you go to the thread that I linked in my post above, I have a very good pic of the modification in post #15.
Hope this helps!
John
So with the latch spring modification...
What's the success rate of preventing the loading lever from dropping under recoil? I see Yankee John said it NEVER falls, is that with full loads or just something that would make SASS happy?
The reason I ask is that the extra chamber capacity and massive size of the Colt Walker probably wasn't a fluke, and if I wanted to download such a revolver to Dragoon or 1858 Remington standards then I'd go ahead and buy that type of gun. Nor do I want an automatically-deploying monopod on the gun, as seen in many of the pictures here when the Walkers are barking. My Arisaka came with one of those, 'nuff said.
If the latch spring mod keeps that loading lever properly situated with full-house Walker loads, then I know what I'm buying myself for Christmas this year!
What's the success rate of preventing the loading lever from dropping under recoil? I see Yankee John said it NEVER falls, is that with full loads or just something that would make SASS happy?
The reason I ask is that the extra chamber capacity and massive size of the Colt Walker probably wasn't a fluke, and if I wanted to download such a revolver to Dragoon or 1858 Remington standards then I'd go ahead and buy that type of gun. Nor do I want an automatically-deploying monopod on the gun, as seen in many of the pictures here when the Walkers are barking. My Arisaka came with one of those, 'nuff said.
If the latch spring mod keeps that loading lever properly situated with full-house Walker loads, then I know what I'm buying myself for Christmas this year!
sjohns
Member
John!
I saw that there were two notches on it. I don't own one right now, so I can't look at my own. I was just wondering where on which of those two notches. But I imagine the purpose is to keep the ends sharp/flat so that they will grip better?
I saw that there were two notches on it. I don't own one right now, so I can't look at my own. I was just wondering where on which of those two notches. But I imagine the purpose is to keep the ends sharp/flat so that they will grip better?
J.T. Gerrity
Member
Gewehr - see my post above.
It's a sad, cruel fact of life that levers drop. If your lever doesn't drop, you are blessed. Some levers drop all the time, some occasionally, but usually it's at a bad time, when you really need it to stay up. And women are very quick to point out the failure of your dropped lever. "HIS lever isn't dropping...why is yours?" But women are lucky - as a whole, their equipment is different, usually lever-less. If you don't have a lever, it can't drop.
Sure, there are quick fixes and remedies, but, eventually, your lever stays dropped, no matter what you do, which leads to you not using your weapon that often, or...you shoot alone so no one can see your misery.
Sure, there are quick fixes and remedies, but, eventually, your lever stays dropped, no matter what you do, which leads to you not using your weapon that often, or...you shoot alone so no one can see your misery.
Yankee John
Member
pohill- Too funny!!! If I didn't know better I'd swear you are talking about something other than a Walkers' loading lever 
sjohn, The notch where the loading lever catches the spring clip is the bigger one you see in the pic- that first little "notch" you see is actually where the spring transitions into the knob-shaped end.
My next project on the walker is to solder the spring onto the barrel; The spring is Dixie replacement that fits loosely into the dovetail (I have a piece of brass stock wedged in between now to keep it tight).
Or, I might even try some JB Weld!
John
sjohn, The notch where the loading lever catches the spring clip is the bigger one you see in the pic- that first little "notch" you see is actually where the spring transitions into the knob-shaped end.
My next project on the walker is to solder the spring onto the barrel; The spring is Dixie replacement that fits loosely into the dovetail (I have a piece of brass stock wedged in between now to keep it tight).
Or, I might even try some JB Weld!
John
J.T. Gerrity, I did indeed read your post above.
1. If I wanted a downloaded-capacity Dragoon, that's what I would buy. The Walker has an allure all of it's own with the massive cylinder, and I get a neat square-back trigger guard.
2. I don't much care for SASS and their powder-puff loads. It's a miracle they don't have squib loads or stuck bullets these days.
3. Burst cylinders from overcharges in the Walker don't seem prevalent. We're not running 20gr of H110, either, it's a cylinder full of FFFg or FFg in Pedersoli/Uberti steel.
4. Dropped loading levers, however, are.
5. I cast my own bullets, and may want to try a 200gr conical - so the Walker looks even more attractive to me.
6. Yankee John has come up with a simple fix, so I can have my cake and eat it, too.
7. I've been loading both muzzleloader and BP cartridge for quite a few years, and handloading centerfire smokeless for nearly 30 years. I'm neither a pressure nor velocity freak, but I see no reason to hamstring a firearm designed to handle a given load - much like I disdain commercial 8mm Mauser loads running just a hair over .30-30 Winchester numbers these days.
That's where I'm coming from.
1. If I wanted a downloaded-capacity Dragoon, that's what I would buy. The Walker has an allure all of it's own with the massive cylinder, and I get a neat square-back trigger guard.
2. I don't much care for SASS and their powder-puff loads. It's a miracle they don't have squib loads or stuck bullets these days.
3. Burst cylinders from overcharges in the Walker don't seem prevalent. We're not running 20gr of H110, either, it's a cylinder full of FFFg or FFg in Pedersoli/Uberti steel.
4. Dropped loading levers, however, are.
5. I cast my own bullets, and may want to try a 200gr conical - so the Walker looks even more attractive to me.
6. Yankee John has come up with a simple fix, so I can have my cake and eat it, too.
7. I've been loading both muzzleloader and BP cartridge for quite a few years, and handloading centerfire smokeless for nearly 30 years. I'm neither a pressure nor velocity freak, but I see no reason to hamstring a firearm designed to handle a given load - much like I disdain commercial 8mm Mauser loads running just a hair over .30-30 Winchester numbers these days.
That's where I'm coming from.
I think yankee john is pretty smart and would vote for J&B weld to keep the spring in place. I suspect recoil puts extra strain on the spring when the lever doesn't drop down. I use the stuff to keep other Uberti studs and such from walking out of the dovetails.
The historic occurance of blown cylinders wasn't as prevalent as we read about. It appears from one good reference that The 300 alleged blown up Walkers actually referred to the ones that were rejected prior to issue, brought up to standards and then put into service. About 190 broken walkers including those with blown cylinders were returned after the Mexican War. Very few shootable ones came back from the texas rangers. They were prone to report them lost or broken and then take them back to Texas with them. Adj/ Doctor John Ford observed that a lot of soldiers, previously accustomed to round ball loading thought that the sharp pointed picket bullet was all pointy to make it easy to load. they loaded them backwards and created a nice shaped charge in the chambers. Ford said this almost invariably blew up the revolver. Multiple dischagres and resultant explosions were also possible as the picket bullet made a great repository for spilled over powder and and undersized bullet or one cocked sideways would provide a good avenue for the sloppily loaded powder to reach the main charge.
Walker also reported that the Walkers carried farther and hit harder than the Mississippi rifles. Not true but apparently the Walkers were quite impressive in battle. In one of the first encounters after issue, the Rangers routed a superior force of Mexican army at Matamores. They were certainly very effective to fifty yards.
The original order called for 1000 revolvers to be issue in pairs to the mounted troops along with 500 flasks and combination tools. The army decided to issue only one revolver to each troop and none to officers creating a shortage of the necessary accoutrements. For this reason, 500 revolvers stayed in the arsenal at Baton Rouge until the war was over and were then issued to the army and federalized Texas Rangers on the frontier. By this time, colt was already starting on the transtion walkers and early Dragoons with front latching levers and shortened chambers. An officer named johnson complained about the huge size f the revolvers compaired to the Paterson five shooters blaiming the picket bullets for the need for excessively long cylinders. He wanted to go back to the more portable patersons and round ball loading. It is probable that the use of round balls was much more common in post war texas than it had been in Mexico.
The historic occurance of blown cylinders wasn't as prevalent as we read about. It appears from one good reference that The 300 alleged blown up Walkers actually referred to the ones that were rejected prior to issue, brought up to standards and then put into service. About 190 broken walkers including those with blown cylinders were returned after the Mexican War. Very few shootable ones came back from the texas rangers. They were prone to report them lost or broken and then take them back to Texas with them. Adj/ Doctor John Ford observed that a lot of soldiers, previously accustomed to round ball loading thought that the sharp pointed picket bullet was all pointy to make it easy to load. they loaded them backwards and created a nice shaped charge in the chambers. Ford said this almost invariably blew up the revolver. Multiple dischagres and resultant explosions were also possible as the picket bullet made a great repository for spilled over powder and and undersized bullet or one cocked sideways would provide a good avenue for the sloppily loaded powder to reach the main charge.
Walker also reported that the Walkers carried farther and hit harder than the Mississippi rifles. Not true but apparently the Walkers were quite impressive in battle. In one of the first encounters after issue, the Rangers routed a superior force of Mexican army at Matamores. They were certainly very effective to fifty yards.
The original order called for 1000 revolvers to be issue in pairs to the mounted troops along with 500 flasks and combination tools. The army decided to issue only one revolver to each troop and none to officers creating a shortage of the necessary accoutrements. For this reason, 500 revolvers stayed in the arsenal at Baton Rouge until the war was over and were then issued to the army and federalized Texas Rangers on the frontier. By this time, colt was already starting on the transtion walkers and early Dragoons with front latching levers and shortened chambers. An officer named johnson complained about the huge size f the revolvers compaired to the Paterson five shooters blaiming the picket bullets for the need for excessively long cylinders. He wanted to go back to the more portable patersons and round ball loading. It is probable that the use of round balls was much more common in post war texas than it had been in Mexico.
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SASS is (in)famous for their powder-puff loads.
There. I said it. Now I'll never get to join the organization, because it's on record. Even Mike Venturino has taken a swipe at the practice, see here:
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BTT/is_184_30/ai_n16741476
They even use blanks to pop those balloons. No thank you.
I run a full 70gr of Goex Cartridge behind a 535gr Postell in my .45-70 Sharps. I'm not afraid that it's going to explode in my face anytime soon, nor do I need to download it to keep it from falling apart.
Pictures and loads like MEC listed above make me ask why should I be forced to download a big honkin' 4 pound Walker replica, when I know I can safely run 45gr of Holy Black behind a 200gr Lee conical, or 50-60gr of same behind a .457" ball? Are they that poorly assembled, or is the current 2006 Uberti/Pietta/Pedersoli metallurgy so bad that it mimics mid-19th century steel?
I just want to shoot a big 4-pound boomer, and put it in the safe with other loud, obnoxious boomers like my Desert Eagle and Wichita Silhouette. I don't want the Walker's loading lever to fall all the time, and it appears that there's a fairly easy fix without having to resort to downloading a big revolver.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy shooting .44 Specials in my 8 3/8" S&W Model 29, but I also know I can run full-house .44 Mags in it without it disassembling itself.
There. I said it. Now I'll never get to join the organization, because it's on record. Even Mike Venturino has taken a swipe at the practice, see here:
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BTT/is_184_30/ai_n16741476
They even use blanks to pop those balloons. No thank you.
I run a full 70gr of Goex Cartridge behind a 535gr Postell in my .45-70 Sharps. I'm not afraid that it's going to explode in my face anytime soon, nor do I need to download it to keep it from falling apart.
Pictures and loads like MEC listed above make me ask why should I be forced to download a big honkin' 4 pound Walker replica, when I know I can safely run 45gr of Holy Black behind a 200gr Lee conical, or 50-60gr of same behind a .457" ball? Are they that poorly assembled, or is the current 2006 Uberti/Pietta/Pedersoli metallurgy so bad that it mimics mid-19th century steel?
I just want to shoot a big 4-pound boomer, and put it in the safe with other loud, obnoxious boomers like my Desert Eagle and Wichita Silhouette. I don't want the Walker's loading lever to fall all the time, and it appears that there's a fairly easy fix without having to resort to downloading a big revolver.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy shooting .44 Specials in my 8 3/8" S&W Model 29, but I also know I can run full-house .44 Mags in it without it disassembling itself.
hildo
Member
Big boom Walker
Percussion cap fires
60 grain swiss fffg ignites
A bit of recoil
And with a bit of luck on 25 meters (25 yards?)... you become a happy man!
Full loads are the way to go in my book.
Percussion cap fires
60 grain swiss fffg ignites
A bit of recoil
And with a bit of luck on 25 meters (25 yards?)... you become a happy man!
Full loads are the way to go in my book.
hildo
Member
Must let you into a well kept secret Pohill... I'm not much of a marksman.
These photo's show a lot of luck, the next one was way off. On a 100 yards I probably would not hit the card at all. If not enyoing good scores one can always enjoy big loads.
Bet 60 grains in a new Walker is safer than doing 130mph in a Mercury.
These photo's show a lot of luck, the next one was way off. On a 100 yards I probably would not hit the card at all. If not enyoing good scores one can always enjoy big loads.
Bet 60 grains in a new Walker is safer than doing 130mph in a Mercury
.Hildo, I don't believe in luck. You hit what you were aiming at. I also don't believe in fully loading a Walker, simply because it puts strain on the gun, and, more importantly, on me. I might get one good shot with 60 grs, maybe two, but the rest would be flyers. But I do enjoy the reaction a Walker gets from those around me, even with 45 grs (I don't like the reaction I get if I drive my Mercury too fast).
Actually, I'm more fascinated with where you live; gun laws, gun availability, gun mindset, etc. Would you care to enlighten me a bit? (No, we're not planning an invasion...not yet, anyways)
Thanks.
Actually, I'm more fascinated with where you live; gun laws, gun availability, gun mindset, etc. Would you care to enlighten me a bit? (No, we're not planning an invasion...not yet, anyways)
Thanks.
hildo
Member
Pohill, when taking aim my bullets fly 'in the general direction'. Hitting the bullsye twice for me is, although I always aim at it, a true lucky shot.
Usually I am happy with a 'more in the black than in the white' result.
Offtopic.
Sure I will enlighten you a bit, you may even be surprised at the way people here in general look at firearms.
You must understand there is a giant difference in history when comparing Holland to the United States.
In the America there was no law in the beginning and a man had to be able to defend himself against whatever came along, go hunting for food etc, which is absolutely logical.
The Dutch have always had law enforcement and regulations, therefore gunownership was not an issue. If you had a problem you would not pull your gun but use your fist, knive or call the police. The people with firearms were, and still are, soldiers, police and such. Private gun ownership has always been prohibited as far as I know, logical as well since I doubt it would made the situation safer having everybody running around with firearms. The fist is without a doubt safer.
Just about every American has grown up with or in the neighborhood of guns and this continues upto this day. It is a part of life and that is the major difference between our countries. Guns are not a part of life in Holland and have never been.
The Dutch do not have the right to bear arms, we get the priviledge to own arms, which is completely different. I actually feel privileged that our government feels that it is safe for our citizens that I own firearms. They have given me quite a responsibility. It is different to the American way of thinking but I find it not too bad. Can you see my point of view?
Gun ownership is under strict regulations obviously.
You must not have a criminal record that is younger than eight years. This is checked prior to joining a shooting club of which it is mandatory to be a member.
You must shoot at least for one year before you can get your gunpermit.
You must shoot a mimimum of 18 times a year. This is recorded at the shooting club and in a little book that you own in which you get a stamp each time you visit the shooting range.
If you shoot less than 18 times a year you will loose your permit and your gun privilege. You will have to give up your guns. The probable idea behind that being: If you do not find shooting that interesting, why own guns?
When choosing a firearm you must have an okay from your shooting club and from your local police. Usually not a problem.
We may have a maximum of 5 of justabout any firearm, pistols, revolvers, rifles, even AK47's or AR15's as long as they are not full automatic.
.50 caliber or larger is prohibited.
If a certain gun is not in stock at the gunshop it can be ordered for you.
Firearms must be stored in a safe at all times. You have acces to the key, nobody else (including your wife!)
The police may visit to inspect your gun serial numbers and if you have your papers correct etc. If you are just on your way to work you can ask them to come by another time, and they will. Sometimes there may be years between visits.
You may have a maximum of 10.000 rounds at home.
You can only buy ammunition in the caliber for guns that you own.
Blackpowder, I believe a maximum of two kilo's at home but nobody checks.
True historical blackpowder weapons are seen as antique and are free to have for anybody, which is not a general known fact however. You can hang them on the wall if you like.
All guns made before 1873 are free. Centerfire cartridge revolvers after 1873 are prohibited. Rifles/muskets/shotguns are all free as long as they have no nitro proofed barrels. All guns made after 1945 are prohibited, including blackpowder arms.
Strange... blackpowder is free as are percussion caps en round lead balls.
This not commonly known.
The general idea about firearms in the Dutch population?
If you shoot firearms you may be some kind of criminal, or there is something wrong in your head. Normal people don't use guns, they're dangerous and nothing good will come from it.
The only well known shooting sport are the regular double barrel shotgun hunters 'that blow away innocent rabbits'.
I don't feel the need of killing anything myself so I keep to paper targets. Personal preferences.
That's how it's done in Holland, quite different from the United States I think.
I envy the space you have, shooting outdoors and such. That is quite limited here.
Overall may seeme like at lot of hassle and regulations but in fact it is not too bad for a small overregulated and overcrowded country (15 million or so and it's just something like 225 miles high and less than 150 miles wide probably). I don't think it needs to be changed. although I'd like to see the maximum of 5 permit guns changed to a bit more but you can't have it all.
Everybody that is interested in the shooting sport can start shooting in Holland and that's important, unless you're a criminal ofcoarse... But they have illegal guns anyway.
And Pohill, about your Mercury. I live 40 miles from the german autobahn (highway)... there is no speed limit. Fully legal and nobody will say anything apart from 'that's a fast car' when one flies by at 160mph or more. As fast as you car or bike will go all day long (or untill you blow the engine)!
If you're interested to see some more, check my website (in dutch but pictures say more than a thousand words)
http://www.twolefthands.nl
Use the knob 'hildo's zwartkruit' for the blackpowder section.
Tada,
Hildo
Usually I am happy with a 'more in the black than in the white' result.
Offtopic.
Sure I will enlighten you a bit, you may even be surprised at the way people here in general look at firearms.
You must understand there is a giant difference in history when comparing Holland to the United States.
In the America there was no law in the beginning and a man had to be able to defend himself against whatever came along, go hunting for food etc, which is absolutely logical.
The Dutch have always had law enforcement and regulations, therefore gunownership was not an issue. If you had a problem you would not pull your gun but use your fist, knive or call the police. The people with firearms were, and still are, soldiers, police and such. Private gun ownership has always been prohibited as far as I know, logical as well since I doubt it would made the situation safer having everybody running around with firearms. The fist is without a doubt safer.
Just about every American has grown up with or in the neighborhood of guns and this continues upto this day. It is a part of life and that is the major difference between our countries. Guns are not a part of life in Holland and have never been.
The Dutch do not have the right to bear arms, we get the priviledge to own arms, which is completely different. I actually feel privileged that our government feels that it is safe for our citizens that I own firearms. They have given me quite a responsibility. It is different to the American way of thinking but I find it not too bad. Can you see my point of view?
Gun ownership is under strict regulations obviously.
You must not have a criminal record that is younger than eight years. This is checked prior to joining a shooting club of which it is mandatory to be a member.
You must shoot at least for one year before you can get your gunpermit.
You must shoot a mimimum of 18 times a year. This is recorded at the shooting club and in a little book that you own in which you get a stamp each time you visit the shooting range.
If you shoot less than 18 times a year you will loose your permit and your gun privilege. You will have to give up your guns. The probable idea behind that being: If you do not find shooting that interesting, why own guns?
When choosing a firearm you must have an okay from your shooting club and from your local police. Usually not a problem.
We may have a maximum of 5 of justabout any firearm, pistols, revolvers, rifles, even AK47's or AR15's as long as they are not full automatic.
.50 caliber or larger is prohibited.
If a certain gun is not in stock at the gunshop it can be ordered for you.
Firearms must be stored in a safe at all times. You have acces to the key, nobody else (including your wife!)
The police may visit to inspect your gun serial numbers and if you have your papers correct etc. If you are just on your way to work you can ask them to come by another time, and they will. Sometimes there may be years between visits.
You may have a maximum of 10.000 rounds at home.
You can only buy ammunition in the caliber for guns that you own.
Blackpowder, I believe a maximum of two kilo's at home but nobody checks.
True historical blackpowder weapons are seen as antique and are free to have for anybody, which is not a general known fact however. You can hang them on the wall if you like.
All guns made before 1873 are free. Centerfire cartridge revolvers after 1873 are prohibited. Rifles/muskets/shotguns are all free as long as they have no nitro proofed barrels. All guns made after 1945 are prohibited, including blackpowder arms.
Strange... blackpowder is free as are percussion caps en round lead balls.
This not commonly known.
The general idea about firearms in the Dutch population?
If you shoot firearms you may be some kind of criminal, or there is something wrong in your head. Normal people don't use guns, they're dangerous and nothing good will come from it.
The only well known shooting sport are the regular double barrel shotgun hunters 'that blow away innocent rabbits'.
I don't feel the need of killing anything myself so I keep to paper targets. Personal preferences.
That's how it's done in Holland, quite different from the United States I think.
I envy the space you have, shooting outdoors and such. That is quite limited here.
Overall may seeme like at lot of hassle and regulations but in fact it is not too bad for a small overregulated and overcrowded country (15 million or so and it's just something like 225 miles high and less than 150 miles wide probably). I don't think it needs to be changed. although I'd like to see the maximum of 5 permit guns changed to a bit more but you can't have it all.
Everybody that is interested in the shooting sport can start shooting in Holland and that's important, unless you're a criminal ofcoarse... But they have illegal guns anyway.
And Pohill, about your Mercury. I live 40 miles from the german autobahn (highway)... there is no speed limit. Fully legal and nobody will say anything apart from 'that's a fast car' when one flies by at 160mph or more. As fast as you car or bike will go all day long (or untill you blow the engine)!
If you're interested to see some more, check my website (in dutch but pictures say more than a thousand words)
http://www.twolefthands.nl
Use the knob 'hildo's zwartkruit' for the blackpowder section.
Tada,
Hildo
Good info, Hildo. Thanks for taking the time.
I have to say that most Americans have not grown up with guns - most people that I know have never fired, held or seen a gun, which is a problem when it comes to the concept of legal gun ownership. More people die in car accidents or by doctor's mistakes than by firearms, but non-gunowning Americans do not want to hear those statistics. Oh well...
Anyways, thanks for the postings. I always thought the Netherlands was where Peter Pan lived (just kidding).
I have to say that most Americans have not grown up with guns - most people that I know have never fired, held or seen a gun, which is a problem when it comes to the concept of legal gun ownership. More people die in car accidents or by doctor's mistakes than by firearms, but non-gunowning Americans do not want to hear those statistics. Oh well...
Anyways, thanks for the postings. I always thought the Netherlands was where Peter Pan lived (just kidding).
.38 Special
Member
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2006
- Messages
- 7,355
Fair enough. To me, though, full loads in the Walker strain the gun just like full loads in a .357 Magnum strain the gun. Which is to say, not really. I use my guns like they were meant to be used. If I can afford to wear them out by shooting them, I can afford to replace them once in a while.
"Big" Walker loads are good, cool, loud, and put a much bigger hole in a piece of paper than, say, 50 grs. But when people say they use their guns as they were meant to be used, I assume that they ride their horse to the range, wear no synthetic clothing, no eye/ear protection, mould roundballs over an open campfire, use no gas/electricity/oil in any part of the shooting/cleaning process, make their own parts when the guns break (can't go running to VTI online to order new ones), etc...Remember, we're talking 1847 here.
And that's if you can, without a doubt, claim that all shooters in 1847 used full loads all the time. Which leads to the question, whoever said a full load in a Walker was 60 grs? Apparently, a fully loaded Walker chamber was NEVER a good thing, especially with the originals.
Also, the beauty of my Ruger .357 is that I can, with no shame, shoot .38 Specials out of it, as it was also meant to do.
added info: according to Haven & Belden in A HISTORY OF THE COLT REVOLVER, "the chamber capacity (of a Walker) is approximately fifty grains of black powder..."
And that's if you can, without a doubt, claim that all shooters in 1847 used full loads all the time. Which leads to the question, whoever said a full load in a Walker was 60 grs? Apparently, a fully loaded Walker chamber was NEVER a good thing, especially with the originals.
Also, the beauty of my Ruger .357 is that I can, with no shame, shoot .38 Specials out of it, as it was also meant to do.
added info: according to Haven & Belden in A HISTORY OF THE COLT REVOLVER, "the chamber capacity (of a Walker) is approximately fifty grains of black powder..."
hildo
Member
Interesting to know if shooters always used full loads back then. Anybody know?
My thought: Big guns were designed to take a big load. f you did not intend to shoot a full load it would be more logical to get yourself a smaller gun with all it's advantages as lower purchase price, less bulk and weight to haul around all day.
The original Walkers were unsafe as history books have let us know. In the case of Uberti Walkers, made of modern steel, I do not believe you will be able to blow one up no matter how much black powder is stuffed in there. Reducing loads for better accuracy or more comfort, is a personal preference, just as full loads are.
I guess the chamber capacity of 50 grains was probably measured with a conical bullet.
My thought: Big guns were designed to take a big load. f you did not intend to shoot a full load it would be more logical to get yourself a smaller gun with all it's advantages as lower purchase price, less bulk and weight to haul around all day.
The original Walkers were unsafe as history books have let us know. In the case of Uberti Walkers, made of modern steel, I do not believe you will be able to blow one up no matter how much black powder is stuffed in there. Reducing loads for better accuracy or more comfort, is a personal preference, just as full loads are.
I guess the chamber capacity of 50 grains was probably measured with a conical bullet.
The walkers came with an adjustable flask and moulds for the picket bullets. Weight estimations of the these bullets are usually in the 200+ grain range but the pedersoli mould casts a 170 grain bullet that would not fit under the loading ram if it were any longer. the proof load was as much fffg as could be crammed into the chamber under this bullet. With my uberti, this works out to 45 grains.
Knowing shooters, I would guess that the circa 1848 walker users would cram in as much powder as they could and then run down to see what kind of mess it made of anything they shot with it.
The needle nosed bullet is almost too wide to get in under the lever anad as far as I can tell, the uberti window is the same size as the origninal:
Knowing shooters, I would guess that the circa 1848 walker users would cram in as much powder as they could and then run down to see what kind of mess it made of anything they shot with it.
The needle nosed bullet is almost too wide to get in under the lever anad as far as I can tell, the uberti window is the same size as the origninal:
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.38 Special
Member
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2006
- Messages
- 7,355
Huh? What on earth does all that have to do with loading a gun to full capacity?
Excellent point. Imagine if someone told you, though, that it was unwise and possibly unsafe to fire magnums in your .357; that it was only prudent to stick to .38s? I imagine you'd dismiss it as the rantings of a goofball.
"Huh? What on earth does all that have to do with loading a gun to full capacity?"
You said, "I use my guns like they were meant to be used."
Well, what does that have to do with a full load? If you're going to use a gun (Walker) as it was meant to be used, then ride horseback and chase down Mexicans and Indians. They weren't meant to be used to impress people at a local gun club and punch really big holes in paper.
Then again, what WAS a full load? According to what I read, it was a mere 50 grs.
By the way, this is all in fun, right?
You said, "I use my guns like they were meant to be used."
Well, what does that have to do with a full load? If you're going to use a gun (Walker) as it was meant to be used, then ride horseback and chase down Mexicans and Indians. They weren't meant to be used to impress people at a local gun club and punch really big holes in paper.
Then again, what WAS a full load? According to what I read, it was a mere 50 grs.
By the way, this is all in fun, right?
"....how does that pointy picket bullet fly? Does it group as well as the round balls? ...."
Amazingly, they shot very well for me out to 40 yards. No bench rest work but some very tight off hand stuff. I had used some dremel bits to cone the loading ram to fit the sharp pointed bullets without distorting them. I also had slightly beveled the base of the bullet so it would sit square on the chamber mouth. This turned out to be important as I went back and tried some as cast and they were all over the paper. On that earlier picture I posted, you can see the kind of odd signature they made on the target but none of them were yawing or tumbling.
Amazingly, they shot very well for me out to 40 yards. No bench rest work but some very tight off hand stuff. I had used some dremel bits to cone the loading ram to fit the sharp pointed bullets without distorting them. I also had slightly beveled the base of the bullet so it would sit square on the chamber mouth. This turned out to be important as I went back and tried some as cast and they were all over the paper. On that earlier picture I posted, you can see the kind of odd signature they made on the target but none of them were yawing or tumbling.
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