How to load a revolver

[Mike OTDP]

I've used Cream of Wheat, and heard that floral foam (low-density styrofoam) works, too.

[Cal 100 Trooper]

I agree with David's suggestion, but with one addition. Once finished loading the chamber with cream of wheat add a small drop of spit or water to help hold the cream of wheat together. Also, it is quite easy to carry the cream of wheat to events in period powder flasks. Hope this helps or adds to the discussion.

[harley_davis]

heard that floral foam (low-density styrofoam) works, too.

I have used the floral foam and it does work but is a pain in the rear to use in the field.

[Bootsctm]

Thank you everyone.

[David Einhorn]

How about the book titled, "The Civil War Reenactor’s Black Powder Guide" by David Smith? Has anyone read it?

http://mainepowderhouse.com/the-civi...-powder-guide/

[Poor Private]

Chain fires can and do happen at bothe the front end of a cylinder as well as the back end of one. If your cylinder does not seat/seal itself at the forcing cone of the barrel gases will excape around the chaber and barrel. For an example of what a fired psitol looks like see my avatar of a pistol captured on film when fired at night.
Personally I use flaked oatmeal in my handguns. I find that it is less likely to shake or vibrate loose from the shock of other chambers firing than COW or any other filler. You have to remember that packing foam, or flower foam is a dirivative of oil so that chance of it melting or burning increases the chance of a chain fire.

[Choatecav]

Dear "Boot"

While it is "hinted" at a couple of times in the comments, there is one thing that is imperative to remember to prevent the chain fire. Whether you are using Cream of Wheat, Oatmeal, bore-butter, grease, wonder-wads (don't), coco puffs, styrofoam or for that matter, pixie dust (just made that one up), never, never, ever, ever "pack or plunge" directly on the black powder. If you do, residue will carry over to the next round and it will be exposed to the fire.

So:

1) Load modest amount of powder
2) Top off with your choice of sealant/filler (ie. cream of wheat, etc.)
3) Then pack on top of that material. Add more sealant/filler and pack more as needed.

It is not the amount of powder that gives the report as much as the packing thereof.

good luck,
Mark

[Stepchld]

I'm getting back into the hobby but what we used to do w/ our .44 cal. revolvers was pour about 12-15 grains of BP in each chamber, tamp it down (yes, I know someone warned you not to, but bear with me). Then we filled the barrel full of CofW, all the way to the top. Then simply rotate the cylinder and tamp down each time a chamber lined up. You end up double packing the chamber with two loads of C/W on top of your BP, thus I've never had a chainfire and neither has anyone in my old unit. We stored the C/W in ketchup bottles and put them in the haversack. Easy pour and store. Never needed spit/moisture to keep the C/W from falling out.

[Edwin Carl Erwin]

Reading of cream of wheat as a sealant prompts me to speculate about using grits for the same purpose. I've no experience with such; just wondering.

[Cadet]

Reading of cream of wheat as a sealant prompts me to speculate about using grits for the same purpose. I've no experience with such; just wondering.

I don't think grits will work as well. Cream of wheat is rather powdery and packs well. Here in Ohio, the humidity is so high that I've never needed to moisten the cream of wheat. Grits is much courser, and I don't think it'll pack down the same--it'll likely just pour out when you holster the weapon.

I had a friend who tried oatmeal only to discover it to be useless for plugging up the chambers. He had stored the oatmeal in a powder flask, and when he found that oatmeal was a failure, he dumped it on the campfire. Made the guy standing by it scream like a girl when he thought blackpowder was in the flask.