Swede68
04-05-2009, 03:15 PM
I had the opportunity to cronograph my Smith CW carbine and Colt m1860 Army today, since a buddy had brought his crono to the range.
First of all, I should make it clear that I used Hodgdon 777 FFFG in both guns, not real blackpowder.
The Smith carbine surprised me in a big way. The 25 grains (actual wheight) of 777 propelled the 286 grains bullet to a speed of 975fps at V0, which translates to a muzzle energy of 814ftlbs. According to my calculations, 25 grains (actual wheight) of 777 is the equivalent of about 35 grains of blackpowder, and should pretty much represent a service load. There are no signs of excessive pressure on the plastic cases I´m using.
The Colt m1860 surprised me too, but in a rather disapointing way. I had chosen to charge it with 15 grains (actual wheight) of 777, as not to cause any accidents. This gave the 154 grain .454 round bullet a speed of merely 460fps, and a muzzle energy of just 72ftlbs!!!
As a comparison, the buddy with the cronograph shot his Remington NM Army, and he used Pyrodex from the spout of his flask. The volume equivalent was 28 grains of blackpowder according to him, and he got just about the same speed readings.
In other words, my charge of 15 grains actual wheight of 777 was not unusually light compared to what is usual among percussion revolver shooters.
As a comparison, a "regular" load for the .32S&W Wadcutter ammo used for targetshooting in semi automatics like Benelli, Pardini and so on hovers around 110-120ftlbs, and this is a cartridge made exclusively for punching holes in a paper target from 25 yards, with as little recoil as possible.
I´m going to up the charge in the revolver gradually, hoping to reach 18 to 20 grains (actual wheight) of 777 in the revolver. Naturally I will be paying close attention to the accuracy, and any signs of excessive pressure. But upping the charge should give me two positive effects. First, I won´t have to ram the bullet so far down the cylinder, because that can´t be good for accuracy (I´m not using filler, since it is not recomended with 777). Secondly, I want to reach something that at least resembles the energy of a "service load" for the Colt m1860, and 98J aint it, that I´m sure of!
Please give me your thoughts on the subject. I´m not going to hold anyone responsible or liable here, shooting antique guns has its risks, and when I´m the one doing it I accept that risk fully. But I´d aprecciate an open debate.
Regards!
Anders Olsson
First of all, I should make it clear that I used Hodgdon 777 FFFG in both guns, not real blackpowder.
The Smith carbine surprised me in a big way. The 25 grains (actual wheight) of 777 propelled the 286 grains bullet to a speed of 975fps at V0, which translates to a muzzle energy of 814ftlbs. According to my calculations, 25 grains (actual wheight) of 777 is the equivalent of about 35 grains of blackpowder, and should pretty much represent a service load. There are no signs of excessive pressure on the plastic cases I´m using.
The Colt m1860 surprised me too, but in a rather disapointing way. I had chosen to charge it with 15 grains (actual wheight) of 777, as not to cause any accidents. This gave the 154 grain .454 round bullet a speed of merely 460fps, and a muzzle energy of just 72ftlbs!!!
As a comparison, the buddy with the cronograph shot his Remington NM Army, and he used Pyrodex from the spout of his flask. The volume equivalent was 28 grains of blackpowder according to him, and he got just about the same speed readings.
In other words, my charge of 15 grains actual wheight of 777 was not unusually light compared to what is usual among percussion revolver shooters.
As a comparison, a "regular" load for the .32S&W Wadcutter ammo used for targetshooting in semi automatics like Benelli, Pardini and so on hovers around 110-120ftlbs, and this is a cartridge made exclusively for punching holes in a paper target from 25 yards, with as little recoil as possible.
I´m going to up the charge in the revolver gradually, hoping to reach 18 to 20 grains (actual wheight) of 777 in the revolver. Naturally I will be paying close attention to the accuracy, and any signs of excessive pressure. But upping the charge should give me two positive effects. First, I won´t have to ram the bullet so far down the cylinder, because that can´t be good for accuracy (I´m not using filler, since it is not recomended with 777). Secondly, I want to reach something that at least resembles the energy of a "service load" for the Colt m1860, and 98J aint it, that I´m sure of!
Please give me your thoughts on the subject. I´m not going to hold anyone responsible or liable here, shooting antique guns has its risks, and when I´m the one doing it I accept that risk fully. But I´d aprecciate an open debate.
Regards!
Anders Olsson