Black Powder Revolvers: How Much Powder Should I Use?

Published on April 18, 2026
Duration: 6:34

Dustin from Guns of the West provides recommended black powder charges for various cap and ball revolvers, categorizing them by size and caliber. He advises on specific grain amounts for pocket (.31 caliber), belt (.36 caliber), holster (.44 caliber), and large 'horse' pistols (Walker/Dragoon), emphasizing that his recommendations often exceed manufacturer's lower suggestions for better performance. The video also touches on the use of paper cartridges.

Quick Summary

For .36 caliber black powder revolvers, Dustin from Guns of the West recommends 17-20 grains of black powder, with 20 grains being a preferred sweet spot. For .44 caliber steel frame revolvers, he suggests 25-30 grains, and for brass frames, around 20 grains to preserve longevity.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: Powder Charge Question
  2. 00:27Confusion Around Powder Charges
  3. 00:51Manufacturer vs. Instructor Recommendations
  4. 01:04Revolver Categories Explained
  5. 01:17.31 Caliber Pocket Guns
  6. 02:01Loading the .31 Caliber Pocket Revolver
  7. 02:53.36 Caliber Belt Models
  8. 03:15Loading the .36 Caliber Belt Revolver
  9. 03:45.44 Caliber Holster Models
  10. 04:13Loading the .44 Caliber Holster Revolver
  11. 04:53Walker & Dragoon 'Horse' Pistols
  12. 05:16Loading the Walker/Dragoon Revolver
  13. 05:54Conclusion & Recap

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good powder charge for a .36 caliber black powder revolver like a Colt Navy?

For .36 caliber belt revolvers, Dustin from Guns of the West recommends a powder charge of 17 to 20 grains of black powder. He finds 20 grains to be a particularly good sweet spot for performance and consistency in this caliber.

How much powder should I use in a .44 caliber black powder revolver?

For .44 caliber steel frame revolvers, Dustin suggests using at least 25 grains of black powder, often loading up to 30 grains. For brass frame .44 revolvers, he recommends around 20 grains to help preserve the frame's longevity.

Are manufacturer recommended powder charges for black powder revolvers accurate?

Dustin notes that manufacturer's recommended powder charges in owner's manuals are often very low. While safe, these lower charges may not yield the best performance. His recommendations often exceed these for improved shooting experience.

What is the recommended powder charge for a Colt Walker or Dragoon revolver?

Although Colt Walker and Dragoon revolvers can hold up to 60 grains of powder, Dustin finds that around 40 grains provides a sweet spot for accuracy and consistent performance, while also conserving powder.

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