Introduction
I started a YouTube channel related to this blog. My handle is Mark Target, and the channel name is youtube.com/@blackpowderyard. This post is the video archive. There is a page and post archive in another post, check the “Archive” link on the “Welcome to my Blog” page and on other pages on my blog.
Jul, Aug, Sep 2025
“Conversion Cylinder Fitting Hack Black Powder Revolver: No Filing”
I demonstrate a hack for fitting a conversion cylinder into my Ruger Old Army, without filing or modifying either frame or cylinder. I smacked it 3 or 4 times, checked for fit, and then tried again. It took about three sessions before it fit. I believe this would work with most conversion cylinders and revolvers. This only works if the frame clearance is only slightly restricted, I can’t say by how much exactly.
“Sig Sauer P320’s # 1 Problem: A Lack of Legacy”
After only three years of production, the U.S. Military adopted the P320. A new safety and trigger system which has not stood the test of time has failed and is now being addressed by fixes and re-designs. Too many lawsuits and no mea culpas have destroyed any legacy the pistol might have been able to earn, unlike its predecessor, the P220.
“Installing Rear Target Sight on Pietta 1858 New Model Army Target”
I received rear sight blade and set screws from Taylor’s Firearms and installed them.
“Microaggressionstamping People or Microstamping Firearms: Which is more Critical?”
In this video I advocate for the microaggressionstamping of people, or more specifically: microaggressors. My position is that the capture and prosecution of microaggressors is more important than preventing criminals from getting away with murders and assaults.
“Uberti Open Top End Shake Cylinder Gap Fix”
I show a common fix for end shake in open tops while referencing the YouTube channels of Blackie Thomas, Black Powder Guide, and Buckoff.
“1858 Army Target Parts order from Taylor’s Firearms”
I order some parts from Taylor’s Firearms for my 1858 New Model Army Target for the benefit of some who may have doubts about the ease or difficulties in maintaining a black powder revolver.
“20 Yd Range Bullet Traps & Pietta 1858 Latest Group”
I show my 20 yard range, my latest 1858 Army group and bullets recovered from my bullet traps.
“Pietta 1858 Army 20 Yd Target Load?”
I discuss and show my attempt at creating a 20 yard target load for my Pietta 1858 Army.
Apr, May, Jun 2025
“Revolver Forcing Cone Deleading Pietta 1858 Army”
I delead the Pietta 1858 Army forcing cone using cotton balls, 20ml syringe, wire brush, hydrogen peroxide and household vinegar.
“Testing Copper Percussion Caps w/2 Different Nipples”
I compare copper percussion caps to aluminum and test copper caps with two different nipples.
“Unboxing Copper Sheet to Make Percussion Caps”
I unbox copper sheeting I bought for making percussion caps. I make one with my capper and compare them to an aluminum cap.
“Shooting Comparison: Prime-All Caps vs CCI, Original Nipples vs Replacements”
Three shooting tests with the Pietta 1858 Army: original nipples vs MZ1304 and Prime-All caps vs CCI #11s. All tests used new .445″ round ball, no filler, 5-gr Triple-7 FFF, & Precision Lube 2000. Test #1: original nipples/Prime-All #10s. Test #2: original nipples/CCI # 11s. Test #3: MZ1304 Nipples/CCI #11s.
“Copper Sheet Ordered For Percussion Cap Making”
I ordered a .004″ thick copper sheeting, 39″ x 4″, for $9.00 and I explain my reasoning for that selection.
“Unboxing Percussion Nipples for Pietta 1858 Army That Don’t Work”
The new MZ1304 Nipples I ordered don’t work with my Prime-All percussion caps. I’m going to try CCI #10s. I also ordered a copper sheet .039″ thick to try instead of aluminum from cans.
“Percussion Nipple Vent Hole Burnout”
I measure nipple vent holes and discuss accuracy and reliability problems possibly related to their widening.
“Hammer to Percussion Cap Strike Improvement”
I smooth the hammer face for hopefully better percussion cap ignition.
“Percussion Cap Making Further Refinement”
I adjust my percussion cap making technique for better results.
“Percussion Cap Making Refinement”
The percussion caps I was making were uneven, so I made a hole in a 2×6 with a hole saw to keep the cap maker perpendicular.
“Trigger Action of My Uberti Walker, Pietta 1858 Army, Pietta 1861 Navy, & ROA”
I discuss what some experts say about trigger control and display the trigger action of my revolvers.
“The Quick & the Cheap Part 8, Pietta 1858 Army Gallery Shoot”
I shoot my Pietta 1858 Army at five yards with 5-gr of Triple-7 and recovered .445″, .451″ or .454″ round balls; no grease, no filler.
“My Uberti Colt Walker: A Bench Top Review”
A bench top review of my Walker, discussing specifications, trigger pull, and loads.
“Pietta 1858 Army vs Ruger Old Army Comparison: Is There One?”
Pietta/Ruger Comparison: Caliber 44/45 Cost: $3-400/$6-800 Weight: 44 oz/48 oz Twist: 1:30/1:16 Chamber Dia.: .446″/.453″ Reliability: Fair/Excellent Max Load: 22-gr/None Recommended
“My Ruger Old Army: A Bench Top Review”
A bench top review of my ROA, discussing history, specifications, my loads, and reflections.
“Percussion Cap Making with a 3 lb. Single Jack”
After much failure, I started to use a 3 lb. Single Jack to set the teeth into the metal and for delivering the final strike.
“The Quick & the Cheap Part 7, Pietta 1858 Army Gallery Load”
I load my Pietta 1858 Army with 5-gr of Triple-7 and recovered .445″, .451″, or .454″ round balls; no grease, no filler.
“The Quick & the Cheap Part 6, Ruger Old Army Gallery Shoot”
I shoot my ROA at five yards with 5-gr of Triple-7 and recovered .451″ or .454″ round balls; no grease, no filler.
“The Quick & the Cheap Part 5, Ruger Old Army Gallery Load”
I load my ROA with 5-gr of Triple-7 and recovered .451″ or .454″ round balls; no grease, no filler.
“The Quick & the Cheap Part 4, Uberti Walker Gallery Shoot”
I shoot my Uberti Walker at five yards with 5-gr of Triple-7 and recovered, .451″ and .454″ round balls; no grease, no filler.
“T/C Cherokee 32-CAL Gallery Loading & Shooting”
Load: .313″ conical derived from .310″ RB, 10-gr Pyrodex P. Conical & 1″ sq. linen buffer greased w/Crisco. Range: 9 yards. 3 shot group size: 5/8″ center to center.
“T/C Cherokee 32-CAL: A Problem”
My Cherokee 32-CAL has a step 3/4″ above the breech end. I discuss how I get around the problem.
“#2: T/C1 Hawken 50-CAL Gallery Loading & Shooting”
Load: .469 conical derived from .490″ RB, 15-gr Pyrodex P, 2″ sq. linen buffer. Conical & cross-patch greased w/Crisco. Range: 9 yards. 4 shot group size: 1″ center to center.
“T/C Renegade 54-CAL Gallery Loading & Shooting”
Load: 1/2″ conical derived from .535 RBs, 20-gr Pyrodex P, 9 yards. Crisco on base, 2 1/2″ sq. linen buffer, cross patch. 3 shot group size 1 1/4″ center to center. I’m not happy with the group size, there is some indication of keyholing on the 3rd shot. That may stop with more velocity.
“The Quick & the Cheap Part 3, Uberti Walker Gallery Load”
I load my Uberti Walker with 5-gr of Triple-7 and recovered, 445″, .451″ or .454″ round balls; no grease, no filler.
“T/C Cherokee 45-CAL Gallery Loading & Shooting”
Load: .445″ Conical derived from .451″ & .454″ RBs, 15-gr Pyrodex P, 9 yards. Crisco on base, 1 1/ 2″ sq. linen buffer. 4 shot group size 1 3/4″ center to center. I’m not happy with the group size, there is some indication of keyholing. That may stop with more velocity. Also, using new .451″ balls to create the .445″ conicals may also help with accuracy.
“T/C Hawken 50 -CAL Gallery Loading & Shooting”
Load: .5″ Conical derived from .535″ RB, 15-gr Pyrodex P, 9 yards. Crisco on base & on 2″ sq. linen buffer. 3 shot group size 1/2″ center to center.
“Thompson/Center Rifle Gallery Shooting Introduction”
I discuss my gallery shooting experience with Thompson/Center rifles and display some projectiles I am developing for gallery and longer range shooting.
“Thompson/Center Black Powder Percussion Sidelock Rifle Collection: Hawken, Renegade, & Cherokees”
I introduce my black powder rifle collection: T/C 32 CAL Cherokee, T/C 45 CAL Cherokee, T/C 50 CAL Hawken, and T/C 54 CAL Renegade. I made a verbal mistake saying that the Cherokee 32 CAL was a 1:48 twist when it is actually 1:30.
“HOLYEDGE Camping Folding Knife Review”
I was pleasantly surprised by the quality for $15.99. Blade is 5 3/4″ long, lock is very secure, and the knife easily fits in my pocket.
“Percussion Cap Problem Solved & Sight Update: Pietta 1861 Navy”
The percussion cap problem was due to user error. I continued to use #10 percussion caps after changing the stiffer main spring which caused chain fires when using the #11 caps. Also, I have again modified the rear sight and will decide on further mods after shooting at 19 yards.
“The Quick & the Cheap Part 2, Pietta 1861 Navy Gallery Shoot”
I shoot a gallery load at five yards of 5-gr of Pyrodex P and recovered .375″ round balls; no grease, no filler. I discuss the solution to my percussion cap problem.
“The Quick & the Cheap Part 1, Pietta 1861 Navy Gallery Load”
I load my Pietta 1861 Navy with 5-gr of Pyrodex P and recovered, .375″ round balls; no grease, no filler.
“Percussion Cap Misfire Fix Attempt: Polish Internals of Pietta 1861 Navy“
Another attempt to solve cap misfires. I polish trigger, hammer, bolt, hand & spring, and associated screws of my Pietta 1861 Navy.
“Percussion Cap Failures Continue, Hammers, & Main Springs”
In a continuing effort to stop percussion cap failures, I compare the hammer action of my other revolvers to my Pietta 1861 Navy.
“Percussion Cap Misfires Continue Pietta 1861 Navy; Next Fix”
I show my next attempt to stop percussion cap misfires in my Pietta 1861 Navy.
“Percussion Cap Misfire Fix? Main Spring Mod Pietta 1861 Navy”
After I replaced the main spring I had percussion cap failures, so I put a washer between the spring and the grip frame to see if that solved the problem.
“Update: Lowering Pietta 1861 Navy Rear Sight”
I show the most recent target after lowering Pietta 1861 Navy rear sight and discuss how I will continue.
“Gallery Black Powder Loading Pietta 1861 36 Cal Navy”
I swage and load .375″ round balls and load them into the bottom of my Navy chambers without fillers.
“Lowering Pietta 1861 Navy Sights”
I widen and lower the sight slot on the hammer of my Pietta 1861 Navy.
“Percussion Revolver Sights”
I discuss percussion revolver sights with a shoutout to Blackie Thomas’s Percussion Revolver Series YouTube Video: “Master Class Sights”.
“Timing Problem? Pietta Colt 1861 Navy”
I discuss possible timing problem in my Pietta Colt 1861 Navy and its effects on shooting.
“Installing Main Spring in Pietta 1861 Colt Navy”
I install a main spring in my Pietta 1861 Colt Navy.
“Buck Mark UDX Non-Shooting Review”
I show my Buck Mark and discuss.
“Pietta Colt 1861 Navy Parts from Dixie Gun Works”
I show some parts from Dixie Gun Works I ordered for my Pietta 1861 Navy.
“Greasing Walker Cylinder & Flattening Conical Bases”
I show how I flatten the recovered conical bases and grease my Walker cylinder.
Jan, Feb, Mar 2025
“200-gr Swaged Conicals, Flattening Bases”
I treat the recovered 200 grain RN conicals differently than before. I flatten the bases with a file. Also, I am using more grease than I did in the previous videos.
“My Gallery Shooting in General”
I discuss the why and how of my gallery shooting. I talk about the effects fillers and wads had on my shooting. I compare some of my gallery shooting results with Sam Fadalas’ Black Powder Loading Manual. I shout out to two of Old Rangers videos regarding his experience with wads.
“Gallery Shooting Recovered, Swaged RN Conicals”
A follow up video after shooting new 200-gr RNs with my Walker. Accuracy shooting the recovered, swaged conicals was degraded somewhat.
“Gun Rust Prevention in My Safe & Contents”
I display my gun safe and weapons, also showing my rust prevention scheme.
“Swaging Recovered 200-gr RN Conicals & Loading Walker”
I’m loading the Walker with recovered, re-swaged 200-gr RN conicals and 10-gr of Pyrodex P.
“Gallery Shooting Walker @ 9 Yd. 200-gr Conical”
This shooting video comes after a long form 3 1/2 minute video “Swaging & Loading Cowboy Conicals for My Walker” where I swaged 200-gr 44 Cal conicals and loaded the Walker using 10-gr of Pyrodex P.
“Swaging & Loading Cowboy Conicals for My Walker”
I swage and load my Walker with a 200 grain cowboy conical, .450″ diameter, on top of 10 grains of Pyrodex P, preparatory to a shooting session at 9 yards.
“Gallery Shooting the Ruger Old Army”
Short form video shooting the ROA at five yards. Load: 5-gr Triple-7, .455″ Conical 137-gr, Crisco, 5 yards, Group Size: 1 1/4″
“Gallery Loading & Swaging for the ROA”
Long form version of swaging and loading for my ROA. Powder load is 5-gr of Triple-7 with a recovered, swaged RB, and Crisco on top.
“Gallery Swaging & Loading for the ROA”
I swage .455″ conicals derived from recovered round balls. Then I load them into my Ruger Old Army cylinder with 5-gr of Pyrodex P.
“Chronograph & Lighting Fixture Table”
A short form video showing my chronograph and lighting fixture table, with bullet deflector shield.
“Gallery Shooting w/the Walker”
A short form video shooting the load I produced after a short form video (#17) of me loading the Walker cylinder.
“Gallery Load for Walker”
In this video I demonstrate how I load my Walker cylinder for gallery shooting.
“Test #4 Gallery Shooting w/Gun Clamp & Grease”
The addition of grease had two effects: a steadily increasing velocity over six shots, from 158 to 375 fps, and a correspondingly larger standard deviation than the previous three tests. I will clean and delead the bore and use then grease for all shooting going forward. Hopefully, the high low spread and standard deviation numbers will be lower after the leading is removed.
“Grease Added to 1858 Army Chambers”
Before I continue to Test #4 I added grease (Crisco) to the chambers on top of the .451″ swaged RB, which are pressed to the bottom of the chambers on top of 5-gr of Pyrodex P. I am trying to get the velocities up to an acceptable level to avoid barrel stuck bullets.
“Test #3 Gallery Shooting w/Gun Clamp”
Test #3 of the series of four. A steady drop in velocity from the 1st test to the 3rd. Another test with the same parameters would likely result in blocked shots. Next test will include grease to see if there is an increase in velocity.
“Test #2 Gallery Shooting w/Gun Clamp”
Test #2 of the series of four. A slight increase of group size (1/4″) and an increase in high/low spread and standard deviation.
“Test #1 Gallery Shooting w/Gun Clamp”
I begin a test of four gallery shooting sessions. Load for all four tests are a new, swaged .451″ RB over a 5-gn. load of Pyrodex P shot from my gun clamp at five yards. No grease or fillers are used in the first three. The fourth test will have the addition of Crisco in the chambers. The test series will be started with a clean, deleaded barrel, with a bore swipe before each subsequent tests. Using a bore laser marked target, I will document changes in group size and velocity.
“Gun Clamp & Bore Laser”
I show the operation of my gun clamp. After installing my 1858 Army into the clamp I use a bore laser to mark the target.
“Gallery Shooting w/My Gun Clamp”
Shooting a gallery load from my gun clamp.
“Target Stand, Target Holder, & Bullet Traps”
I demonstrate my target holder, stand, and bullet traps.
“Percussion Cap Removal from Cap Making Fixture”
I demonstrate how I remove percussion caps from my 121 count matrix.
“Making Percussion Caps in Bulk with Prime-All”
I demonstrate how I load percussion caps using my 121 count matrix.
“Swaging .451 Round Balls & Loading ’58 Army Cylinder”
This time I am swaging new .451″ round balls instead of recovered ones I have been using. I load them over 5 grains of Pyrodex P into my 1858 Army cylinder.
“Gallery Load 5-gn Pyrodex P for 1858 Army”
Here I shoot a gallery load of 5-gr Pyrodex P with a swaged, recovered round ball at 5 yards. I am trying to reduce failures, such as barrel-stuck shots and low hitting bouncers. This attempt was with recovered balls that had been fired only a few times. In an upcoming video I will swage new 451″ round balls and shoot using a 5 grain load of Pyrodex P.
“Gallery Load in 1858 Army Cylinder”
A video short where I show an 1858 Army cylinder loaded with a gallery load.
“Swaging Recovered Round Balls”
The process of swaging recovered round balls is demonstrated. I also talk about some of the problems and failures that have started to show up in my testing, and the possible reasons and solutions.
“Gallery Load 2 1/2-gn Triple-Seven FFF for 1858 Army”
I shoot 5 consecutive cylinders of 6 shots each with a gallery load: 2 1/2-gn Triple-Seven FFF, .440″ round ball. One of the shots stuck in the barrel, and two bouncers also occurred. In this case, I allowed too much leading in the barrel.
“Gallery Load 5-gn Triple-Seven FFF for 1858 Army”
I shoot 5 consecutive cylinders of 6 shots each with a gallery load: 5-gn Triple-Seven FFF, .438″ conical. Two of the shots are stuck in the barrel, which hasn’t happened for quite some time. I believe I have reused some of the conicals past their useful life, contributing to reduced accuracy, poor numbers, bouncers, and barrel stucks.
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