powder charge VS barrel length

[lyuv]

Hello all,

I have a 0.45 Philadelphia derringer, with a 2.5" barrel. I"m looking for the most potent load. With longer barrels, the heavier the load, the faster the bullet. Simple.

However, in this short barrel, the powder thakes a significant part of the barrel length. So heavier load means shorter barrel.

Can you provide info or ideas on getting the best load?
Also - what about using 4Fg instead the regular 3Fg? Would it be safe?

I dont have access to chronograph, so cant simply experiment.

One more: how do I measure barrel length? is it the Inside bore length? The total outside length? other?

Thanks,

 

[Patocazador]

I believe what you're concerned with is usable barrel length.
I have an el cheapo Philadelphia derringer that I put together from a kit years ago. It's .45 and has a Jukar stamp on it. I would be very cautious using more than 20 gr. of 3F or 15 gr. of 4F. In fact, I wouldn't shoot it with 4F at all.
Besides, I can't hit anything with it beyond 25 feet and certainly can't shoot a "group" with it.

A slow-moving .440 ball hurts pretty bad too. :grin:

 

[azmntman]

I had one that regularly bounced off pine trees and would smack me once in awhile. Always wondered how the thing penetrated Lincolns skull?

Got rid of it, one of few I dont miss.

Absolutely worthless other than a "belly" gun. Fun though...for awhile

 

[Toomuch51]

The "Philadelphia Derringer" as with other compact weapons of the type were intended for personal protection and concealment as opposed to long range accuracy, as a result hitting anything over 10 -15 feet away would be a chore at best.
As to using 4f for a charge, don't do it :td: it is unsafe even in such a short, heavy barrel.
The barrel length would be the length of the bore (ahead of the breachplug).

Toomuch
...........
Shoot Flint

 

[zimmerstutzen]

Sometimes these questions verge on the number of angels dancing on the head of a pin. The gun itself was a arms length defensive weapon. Power was not a consideration when the idea was to wound and let infection claim the foe. From an academic curiosity standpoint, I suppose testing could be done. For practical purposes, it seems pointless. There was an early model with a slightly longer barrel, perhaps 4 or 5 inches. Neither were long range guns. And by long, in their case, I mean 30 ft.