Range Report 12FEB2022: Improved Remington New Model Army

I sent my Pietta replica Remington New Model Army revolver out to a highly skilled gunsmith by the name of Gary Barnes.  Mr. Barnes stripped the nasty plastic finish off the grips, refinished them, did an action job, opened up the loading port to make it easier to load paper cartridges, changed the profile of the end of the rammer to conform to the shape of the conical bullets, adjusted the forcing cone, and reamed the chambers to make them consistent and to get the correct size.  He then re-blued the entire frame and barrel.  It looks fantastic, and the trigger feels amazing.

Upgraded Pietta Remington New Model Army.

I took the piece to the range today to see how it loaded and how it shot.  First, the load.  I use paper cartridges that I make myself.  I cast my own bullets from 100% lead using a historically correct Kerr bullet mold from Eras Gone Bullet Molds, and I make the shells from unbleached coffee filters which have been treated with a super-saturated solution of potassium nitrate.  For more information about how I make and package historically correct ammunition, see here.

A sample Kerr cartridge and the cartridge packages I make to carry them (I don't have Kerr labels yet, unfortunately).

I initially choose the Kerr bullet because of the fact that, among the historically correct bullets currently available, it fits best in reproduction revolvers.  It has worked well for me, but it must be admitted that loading paper cartridges into the revolver was still somewhat difficult--that's the primary reason I sent my piece off to be reworked.  I am pleased to say that after the work Mr. Barnes did loading paper cartridges is now as easy as loading metallic cartridges in a modern revolver.  It is remarkable--they slip straight in with no effort at all.  Moreover, despite the fact that he reamed the chambers slightly, ramming the bullet home still leaves a respectable ring of lead that gets cut off, ensuring that there will be no chain fires.  I cannot express how happy I am with this improvement--paper cartridges are now an order of magnitude easier to use, and I hate using round balls.

Unfortunately, my shooting results are somewhat less thrilling.  I love the trigger now that it has been reworked--it is clean and as smooth as silk without being too light.  Despite this, my scores today were not as good as I had been getting before I sent the piece off.  I do NOT attribute this to the work that Mr. Barnes did; rather, it's been about six months since I last took this pistol to the range, and I think I have gotten a bit sloppy.  My average String Test measurement previously was around 3.4 in./rd., and I had been starting to get measurements in the 1.7-2.2 inches/round range, so today's results represented some unfortunate backsliding on my part.

The String Test:  This is a 19th-century method for determining accuracy.  It is vastly superior to simply determining group size because it takes into account both the group size and the distance of the Mean Point of Impact from the Intended Mean Point of Impact (the bullseye) in a single number which is easy to compare from shooting session to shooting session.  In essence, it gives the average distance of each impact from the bullseye.  For more information about the String Test, see here.

Bullet Energy:  The Kerr bullets come out of the mold at a remarkably consistent 225-grain average.  My chronograph readings were not as consistent as I'd like, but I had a mix of powders being used, including Pyrodex 'P' and Swiss and Schuetzen 3F.  I got a range of bullet velocities from 740 fps to 830 fps., with an average of 783 fps.  This gives an average bullet energy of 306 foot pounds, which is very respectable.

Conditions:
Wind, variable from 12:00 to 4:00, speed light to moderate.  67 degrees and sunny.  All shots made offhand.  Sight picture and alignment:  Full sight, 6:00 hold.  Range:  15 yards.

Table One:
25 grains Pyrodex P.
6 rounds, 22.0 inches.
Sting Test = 3.7 in./rd.

Table One: 3.7 in./rd.

Table Two:
25 grains Schuetzen 3F.
6 rounds, 28.5 inches.
String Test = 4.7 in./rd.

Table Two: 4.7 in./rd.

Table Three:
25 grains Swiss 3F.
6 rounds, 18.0 inches.
String Test:  3.0 in. rd.

Table Three: 3.0 in./rd.

Table Four:
20 grains Pyrodex P.
6 rounds, 24.5 inches.
String Test:  4.1 in. rd.

Table 4: 4.1 in./rd. (NB: The marks on the upper left are not from the revolver.)

To say that I am dissatisfied with these String Test measurements is a gross understatement; I am appalled.  My best shooting to date saw an all-time best score of 1.7 in./rd. (see here) back in April of 2021.  I am unsure of what happened (other than the fact that it's been a long time since I got to do any practicing, which is no excuse).  I will also note that Table Four was shot using cartridges with only 20 grains of powder, and I have noticed in the past that my revolver does not like this load (I had old packages to use up).  Perhaps I just got sloppy.  Still, I wouldn't call these results bad shooting--3-4 inches/round at 15 yards is certainly sufficient for Civil War combat marksmanship.  Having said that, I am ecstatic about the handling of my reworked revolver.  It really would be difficult to express just how much nicer it is to load and to shoot since Mr. Barnes worked his magic on it, and now I just have to buckle down, practice, and get my numbers where they should be.