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Load Data and Manual for New Model Army

12K views 21 replies 8 participants last post by  Grizzley1 
#1 ·
Inherited a Black-Powder New Model Army .44 cal. replica manufactured by Empresa Nacional of Santa Barbara, Spain.

Looking for a manual & load data on the New Model Army.

Thanks
 
#2 ·
I'd look for a PDF from one of the Italian makers like pietta.

If yours is a steel frame, you can likely not overload it using fffg. Many here report using 20-25-30

I load mine light for plinking, so 18-20. My brass framed units I load to 15.
 
#4 ·
Thanks for the tip, just downloaded and on page 20 for .44 cal load data: min 12 - max 15 FFFG. Reading this forums many use over 20 grams.

Forgot to mention mine is steel frame.
The 12-15 is for brass guns. Ps, it is GRAINS, not grams. And it is not measured by weight like smokless is,it is measured by volume. They make graduated cyl tube measures for loading black equivalent.
 
#6 · (Edited)
Usually #11 caps for revolvers.

Pyrodex p. Is equivalent to fffg

Pyrodex rs is ffg

You want fffg size, so pyrodex p

Steel framed guns are tough, I having been able to overfill a cyl and seat a ball.. many here are loading 25+ grains. That eats a 44 cyl once you have a lead ball in there..
 
#7 ·
Pietta only publishes data for brass framed guns, look at Uberti's site for steel frame loading data.

DO NOT use jacketed bullets or hard alloys in your cap & ball pistol, soft lead round balls or soft lead conicals designed for cap & ball revolvers only, you will damage the gun and perhaps your self or others by using the wrong bullets.
 
#10 ·
Hodgdon makes Pyrodex. Here's the link to their load data.
https://www.hodgdon.com/pyrodex.html
Check the notes, then check the box and download the .pdf. Pyrodex for your New Model Army is at the bottom of the last page.

If you have problems with the caps falling off, pinch them slightly.

I clean my NMA right away after getting home from the range. Pyrodex residue is corrosive. Take the handles off, remove the cylinder and take the nipples off, take the ram off and remove the cylinder rod, put them all into warm soapy water, scrub nipples and hard to get at places with a scotchbrite pad, use a brass brush on the barrel and cylinder, followed by a swab of some sort. Rinse all the parts, then I put them into the oven at the lowest heat for a short time. I swab it down with a very light coat of oil while it's still warm. A .410 swab does nicely on the bore and cylinder chambers. I've used light machine oil (like 3-in-1) or cooking oil. It doesn't seem to make much difference; both work for me.

Loading: add the powder, then a lubricated wad, then the ball. I have used .454 and .457 balls in mine...when you ram the ball into the chamber you should see a hair thin "wire" shaved off the ball inside the chamber. .451 balls tend to be a little loose in mine.

With black powder/pyrodex you do not want any space between the ball, the wad, and the powder. With smokeless powder you can have a little powder in the bottom of the case, lots of empty space, then the bullet. You do not want that with black powder or pyrodex.

As you read over the threads here you will find a lot of other gems. Read lots, and enjoy. Let us know how you get on.
 
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#11 ·
Dang, my head is swimming with overload. Went to Bass Pro and local WalMart and no primers and or .44 cal ball ammo. :-(

Of course more questions:

Where do I purchase a nipple wrench?

Don't want to frig-up the screw-heads for the handle and ram, what size screwdrivers do I need? Ram screw is smaller than handle screw, so I would need two sizes.

The following video, is excellent for a complete dis-assembly (starting at 0:33) how often if ever do you perform a complete dis-assembly for cleaning?
 
#12 ·
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#13 ·
The easiest way to get correctly sized screwdriver heads to match your screws is to get a set of bits for one of those multi bit screwdrivers and grind the bits to the right size. that seems to be what the guy in the video you posted is using.

As to a complete disassembly I seldom go that far, I normally just remove the wood, the cylinder and loading lever and cylinder pin and nipples. I'll only do a complete teardown if something needs repaired or examined, I can get it clean enough using tooth brushes and shotgun mops without tearing it all the way down.

I clean using the same method described by BlackEagle.

One of our members has several good youtube videos on black powder firearms, have a look online for a fellow named Duelist1954, I'm sure he has a good vid on loading the 1858 New Army.

If you can't get powder, balls, wads or a nipple wrench locally you can get them online from places like Cabella's. Black powder and caps have hazmat charges so locally sourcing them is much cheaper, look for an lgs in your area that carries caps, you most likely need number 10's but you can pinch a number 11 and get it to stay on the nipple if 10's can't be located.
 
#14 ·
Checked out Cabela's, for the nipple wrench, it is for a Pietta, are all revolver nipples the same size?

Want to thank all of you for your very valuable information! Dang, very knowledgeable members here.

P.S. Did check out some of Duelist1954 youTube videos. Came across the one, were he was banned from membership in his favorite range.
 
#16 ·
if you have a gandor mountain in your area, it usually has caps and balls. 44 is a common caliber. amazon ususally has a few sellers with hornady balls too.

I clean the way yhr other gents do. pull grips, then soapy water, etc.
 
#17 ·
Hey, Soundguy Duelist has a good vid on shooting the Remington Revolving rifle like the one you picked up recently, too bad You tube didn't exist back when I had mine, I had to learn the hard way not to hold it like a normal rifle, ;)


Questor, the loading process on this rifle is the same as for the pistol you have, it was based on the New Army pistol.
 
#20 ·
Took the cylinder to gun store and purchased a nipple wrench that fit. Removed the grease from the nipples and two of them had one side broken off. But with the wrench, was able to remove for a good washing.

Also located #11 primers, now I will purchase the ammo on the net.

Latest question: where would you recommend I purchase nipples?

Grizzley1: I watched the loading process and as previously stated, receiving quiet an education. Shortly I will be able to throw lead balls downrange.
 
#21 ·
I just installed the stainless "Slix Shot" nipples on my Pietta .44 1851 Navy and Pietta .36 1851 Navy Sheriff Model. Have another Pietta .44 1851 Navy with OEM nipples to compare to the Slix Shot. Rainy week, so I am really itching to get to the range but may be awhile.
 
#22 ·
Most online sources like Cabella's, Dixie Gun Works, The Gun Works or Track of The Wolf will have nipples to fit your gun if you can't find them locally, you're getting closer to making smoke at a range with it, I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

There is one last problem that none of us have addressed yet, black powder shooting is highly addictive and there is no known cure once you succumb it. ;)
 
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