Hawg, I shoot my 1858 with 23gr of 777, still using up 100's of .451 balls, no wads and #11 CCI. I get results I'm happy with. What is your opinion on this load?
If you're happy with it that's all that matters. That's about 26 1/2 grains of bp. I won't use less than 30 in a 44. I do not paper punch so I don't care about how tight it will group. I use .454 balls and a lubed wad. As long as I can hit a Coke can at 25 yards more often than not I'm a happy camper.