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Max Charge For 1860?

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DevilsLuck

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A modern replica 1860 of course. And when I say "max charge"; I don't mean one grain shy of exploding the pistol. So far I've only shot 25 grain loads, with ball. But I'm looking to experiment; and am wondering where the high end is. While I realize heavier loads will shorten the lifespan of the pistol, I still need to know what my limits to work within are...
 
My Uberit book shows 22 grains as the standard load with a max of 30 grains for round ball diameter .454/.457.

For conical, 19 grain and 25 grains.
 
A modern replica 1860 of course. And when I say "max charge"; I don't mean one grain shy of exploding the pistol. So far I've only shot 25 grain loads, with ball. But I'm looking to experiment; and am wondering where the high end is. While I realize heavier loads will shorten the lifespan of the pistol, I still need to know what my limits to work within are...


Maximum charge is whatever will fit in the chamber and still have room to seat the ball.
The chambers will not hold enough powder to " explode " the pistol as long as you stick to real black powder or one of the substitutes.
 
Maximum charge is whatever will fit in the chamber and still have room to seat the ball.
The chambers will not hold enough powder to " explode " the pistol as long as you stick to real black powder or one of the substitutes.
Wow! That seems like a lot.
 
My Uberit book shows 22 grains as the standard load with a max of 30 grains for round ball diameter .454/.457.

For conical, 19 grain and 25 grains.
Why the difference between conical, and round ball? Is it that the conical stake up more cylinder volume, neccesitating a lower charge? Or does the increased surface area create greater friction, increasing chamber pressures?
 
Why the difference between conical, and round ball? Is it that the conical stake up more cylinder volume, neccesitating a lower charge? Or does the increased surface area create greater friction, increasing chamber pressures?

Conical heavier.
 
A Pietta Colt 1860 loaded with 40 grains of Pyrodex P and a 144 grain round ball can reportedly reach a velocity of about 1050 FPS.
 
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Here's a chart showing chronograph velocities for a variety of charges fired from an 1851 Colt .44.
The reproduction 1851 cylinders are the same size as the 1860 cylinders,

Colt 1851, .44 with 8 inch barrel

Powder by Volume - Bullet Weight - Average Velocity feet per second

28 grain 3F Pyrodex - 138 grain, .451 ball - 608 ft/s
35 grain 3F Pyrodex - 138 grain, .451 ball - 861 ft/s
35 grain 3F Pyrodex - 140 grain, .454 ball - 930 ft/s
35 grain 3F Pyrodex - 190 grain conical - 683 ft/s
35 grain 3F Pyrodex - 143 grain, .457 ball - 786 ft/s
35 grain 3F GEOX - 140 grain, .454 ball - 860 ft/s
37 grain 3F GEOX - 140 grain, .454 ball - 862 ft/s
40 grain 3F GEOX - 140 grain, .454 ball - 930 ft/s
24 grain 3F 777 - 140 grain, .454 ball - 848 ft/s
30 grain 3F 777 - 140 grain, .454 ball - 1020 ft/s

http://poconoshooting.com/blackpowderballistics.html
 
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Max charge on any bp revolver will be whatever will fit in the chamber and still properly seat the ball. With a round ball on an 1860 or an 1851, that's a full cylinder of powder. It is physically impossible to overcharge a bp revolver unless you are not using bp or an appropriate substitute. That being said, I tend to stick around 30 grains max for hunting with my 1860, with my particular pistol's best accuracy with a .454 ball being at 20 grains of FFF
 
While filling the cylinder full might seem self explanatory; I’d never have tried it with out confirming from more experienced BP shooters...
 
Another thing to be aware of is frame material. Brass frames are a bit faster to wear out with heavy loads.
 
I shoot 35 grains 3F Swiss with a round ball and 30 grains 3F Swiss with a 200 grain conical. I pack SPG grease over the round balls and the conicals are pan lubed with SPG. The results have been rather impressive.
 
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