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Muzzleloading Revolver
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Reasons why
 The private ownership of target shooting handguns in the UK was banned some years ago, save for the following exceptions:
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Long barrel revolvers (LBR), cartridge firing with extremely long barrels and a permanently fixed arm brace extending from the grip.
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Section 7 handguns, historic firearms only to be used at Section 7 ranges, where they must also be stored.
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Blackpowder revolvers can be held on FAC, and used on any range with a suitable safety certificate.
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Single shot muzzle loading pistols, either percussion or flintlock, are also allowed on FAC.
So, if you want to shoot handguns, for fun or in competitions, a blackpowder revolver is the logical choice.

The guns
 Although single shot pistols are catered for in many national and international competitions and can be extremely accurate, the slow pace of reloading limits the scope for variety in courses of fire.
Replica Single Shot Percussion Pistol

 Blackpowder revolvers are the most commonly used type in competitions and practice today.







Replica Colt 1860 Revolver

 Loading routine
 The revolver is loaded by setting it to half cock (so the cylinder is free to rotate) then following this sequence for each chamber:-
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Add powder charge, from a flask or phial. Powder flasks dispense a set charge of powder. Phials contain charges pre-weighed by the shooter. Some clubs forbid flask loading, regarding it as an explosion risk.
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Next comes, for some, a measured dose of semolina as a filler. This takes up space and brings the loaded ball close to the mouth of the cylinder. The idea is to minimise the jump between cylinder and barrel throat.
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A felt wad is placed over the filler and pressed home.
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Finally the lead ball is placed in the chamber mouth. These come in various diameters and for a .44" revolver both .451" and .454" balls are common. Then the cylinder is rotated so that the ball and chamber are lined up with the ramming lever. A fair pressure is required and a thin sliver of lead is shaved off the ball as it is rammed home.
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Once all six chambers have been loaded many shooters apply a small amount of grease to the mouth of each chamber to lubricate the ball on firing.
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To complete the loading routine a percussion cap is placed on each nipple and thumbed firmly in place.