Light powder charges in .44

Z

ZVP

New member
Today I finally got to try some light Powder charges (Pyrodex) in my Brass Frame Piettia '52 Replica.
Unfortunatelly I didn't have a chrony to get reads from.
I started off with a 13gr load, COW filler Wad and a .454 ball. The shot was very weak though it cleared the barrel easilly, it struck some 2 1/2" high above the POA @ 7 yards. Very low report, more of a "Puff" than a bang. I watched carefully for each ball to pass thru the paper and strike the levy behind it to be sure it cleared the BBL.
Next I moved up to 15 gr COW filler same balls and wads. The discharge was more solid and it also struck 2 1/2" high. The Muzzle report was more of a bang this time and felt more solid.
Both light loads were just for test purposes as I had read the loads in suggested in factory literature and in my opnion both are just too light for any pratical use as they strike way too high to easilly estimate. I am sure velocities were very low on the tighter fitting .454 Balls and I am sure penetration on small game might be minimal or even usefull.
I have decided to stick with my tried and true 20 gr load as it seems to fire very well with a flatter trajectory and enough velocity to likely make it a good small game killer out to 30 yards. The load strikes about 1/2" high @7yards and targeting it is easy. Discharge is solid and report involves a nice "crack" indicating good ignition.
I just had to try these light loads just because you never know with BP or Substitutes, you just might get an accurate load even on the low speed end of the scale...
Just wanted to share this experiment with ya'll!
ZVP
 
Brass framed "52"

I like, zullo74, would like to know what a "BRASS FRAMED '52" is. Maybe I missed something in my Black Powder primer from grade-school. Perhaps, you misquoted. or meant something else. At any case you have to be very careful with brass framed revolvers. They're not meant to take any but the minimum charge if you expect it to last, or not shoot loose. I love the look of brass framed revovlers, but I never bought one because I like historical accuracy, and the only brass framed revolvers were made in small quantities by the south during the civil war. Nothing cheese's me off more than watching a recently made western movie where the hero is walking around with a brass-framed 1858 remeington or navy colt.
 
Last edited:
1852 brass frame

I'm sure he meant '51 also. The 1 and the 2 are up in the corner of your key board, and god knows I hit enough wrong keys to know.
 
I thought you must be his identical twin since you are SURE what he meant.
Click to expand...

Well it was a figure of speech but I'd put money on it............If I had any to put on it.:p
 
ooh, ooh... lemme play!!

I'm gonna join the madness too an say it's a '58.
If he's a hunt-and-peck typist like most, he would have used the number pad and just went down one instead of up one after he hit the "5" key. :D:D
 
Yep '51

Just a little mis-typed jumber but you guys don't miss a thing or let it go without pokin fun at the dummy who can't type!
Yep, I admit it I type LOUSY but have good intentions...
Anyhoo, the light charges CAN even go a little too light and fail to clear the barrel and such, so it behooves us to carefully and lightly load all Brass Framed revolvers!
I have had good luck with this one at a 20 gr load. I use a little COW for filler to move the balls closer to the forcing cone. I don't like to have the balls travel too far to get to the cone for accuracys sake. This revolver groups best loaded this way.
I haven't seen any movie guns with Brass Frames but I'm sure some cheapo armorer has used em.
Thanks for the replies and belief that I mistyped!
ZVP
 
just too light for any pratical use as they strike way too high
Click to expand...

Those oldy style C&B revolvers will all shoot high until sights are changed. Suggest you read up why.
Low charges, in any pistol, oldy or modern, will shoot low.
Heavier charges and/or projectiles will shoot higher since the barrel begins to rise before the bullet/ball has left the muzzle.
 
I disagree for the very reason you gave..."the barrel begins to rise before the bullet/ball has left the muzzle." With a light charge, the bullet is in the barrel longer while the muzzle is rising, so they hit higher.
 
I also shoot 20 grain light loads in my 58 remmie, so you're not alone, ZVP. It does help improve accuracy, and helps keep powder costs down ( although I think I'm about to blow a hole in the powder budget thanks to my getting an Uberti Cattleman for BP loads.... Smokeless just doesn't seem right in these old school guns ). I think that the original loads during the Civil War were also light, so that's in keeping with the historic feel of these guns.
 
'52 Navy Colt

The little known '52 Navy was Saml. Colt's secret weapon, it actually shot about a foot low at fightin' distance. Hickok had a '51 and a '52 - that's why he never missed.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top