1858 Remington Sheriff and similar black powder revolvers - how long can stay loaded?

[humbll]

Hi,

I am contemplating acquiring a 1858 Remington Sheriff black powder revolver and have a question: how long can they stay loaded for and still reliably fire? I saw a vid of a guy who had a couple and he kept several cylinders loaded for quick swap out, and was wondering how long the cowboys would keep them loaded before firing off the cylinder and putting in fresh components. I live in a pretty humid state btw. Thanks in advance.

 

[alwslate]

I don't know about revolvers but after an unsuccessful Deer muzzle loader
season I have left my Thompson Center Thunderhawk loaded until the
next year's season with no problems. Loaded with Pyrodex and a Hornady
conical bullet it fired normally after a full year.

 

[DWalt]

If you want to keep a BP revolver loaded and ready to go, don't put it away with any grease over the bullets in the chambers. It always seems to be able to leak past the bullets and destroy the powder after some length of time. Keep the nipples primed and put the hammer down between two chambers.

 

[Inusuit]

DWalt gives good advice. I'd use an over powder wad and be sure the ball or bullet is a good seal in the charge hole. I've read that some shooters use wax or even fingernail polish to seal around the nipple to prevent moisture entering there. Haven't done this myself. Google sealing percussion nipples and you will find several suggestions.

 

[gwpercle]

Depending on where you live and average humidity , at least Once a year in a dry climate and every 6 months in a humid area . I would fire the charges and check for rust in the chambers , then reload .
I'm not sure exactly how hygroscopic Pyodex is but I have read it is slightly hygroscopic and slightly corrosive as is black powder so I wouldn't let it go longer than a year ... In South Louisiana we have high humidity... I would check it every 6 months .

My Uncle found one of Grand Pa's cap & ball revolvers , squirreled away loaded for at least 25 years. He fired one shot and an adjacent chamber fired also...the chambers had rusted through...he removed the rest of the lead balls with his pocket knife...the chambers had a lot of rust but no others had rusted through . Funny but after being loaded all that time , fresh caps fired the old loads .
Gary

 

[steelslaver]

Once upon a time I had a 50 cal Hawkins replica with a small ring in the barrel. One of my brothers had another like it only with adjustable sights and a broken stock. He gives me the barrel. I drag this stuff around in pieces and move 3 or 4 times for at least 6 or 7 or more years. Another brother suggest we go deer hunting with muzzle loaders. I tell him I need to change barrels and get mine up to grade. Get the parts to his house and get it all put together. He suggest we put a cap on, fire it and clear the nipple. OK. Butt is on the floor, muzzle pointer off to the side as we sid there together. KER BOOM. After the smoke cleared we found what we later found out was a 50 caliber ball goes through the corner of his cabinet, through a folded up towel and a roll of garbage bags and into the wall. No hole outside! I am pretty upset. The garbage bags were funny though. Unroll them and unfold them and each one had a bunch of holes. Anyway, call up the brother who gave me the barrel and jump him about giving me a loaded barrel, I had no way to check. He hears the story and laughs. Rightfully so to. Turns out the brother who ended up with the hole in his cabinet was the one who used it last and had left it loaded. One I informed said brother he was sheepish at best. Should have used a ramrod to check the depth. Might have figured it out.

So, I know a load will stay good for at least that long. Sealed up good with a nipple kipping that hole covered and some good grease on the balls I would say the loads would stay good for a long time.