.31 cal Revolver Loading press?

[CDM5]

I'm interested in a 31 calibre 1848 baby dragoon, however the lack of loading lever means a hand press would be required to load the cylinder off of the frame.

Is there an option for a ready made press or loading tool? The sellers I've spoken to (Kranks) have said they don't have a press small enough.

Thanks

[dromia]

DIY is the best way to go.

Set a piece of dowel as near a diameter as possible to the cylinder pin diameter.

Put cylinder over board mounted dowel.

Pour powder.

Seat ball with a piece of dowel and a soft faced hammer.

Mark the seating dowel with tape to the required seating depth for consistency.

[Sim G]

On the range, quick and dirty, I'd pour powder into the chambers so about a quarter of an inch below the mouth, and press the ball home with my thumb. You'd be surprised how easy it is. I've read the original method was to remove the cylinder and use the arbour to seat home the balls.

Or, take the cylinder off and use a 7mm solid brass rod with the end con-caved with a chamfer bit, them as Adam says, a couple of smart taps with a hammer.

Use 4Fg instead of the usual 3, around 10 to 11 grains by volume and a .319 ball. Smart crack, no recoil barely, but forget any distance beyond 15yds for anything meaningful on a target!

[bradaz11]

i just use the arbour on mine.

[Sim G]

Traditionalist. Ironically, that's the way forward...

[bradaz11]

i do have a 'tower of power' that should do it. but I just use my cheap kranks loader for my 44s so the tower stays in a cupboard gathering dust.