Hello all,
I am looking into getting a cartridge conversion of a Uberti Colt 1851, and I have been wondering how powerful of a black powder cartridge I could use in the gun, and what I could feasibly make for it. I am hoping that maybe some of you others have already tried this out on your own and that I can learn from you.
From what I've read in this previous post(https://www.thehighroad.org/index.ph...or-357.795086/) you can get 30 grains in 38 special brass with compression, and specifically 25 grains into Starline brass. Based on this post form castboolits when using Goex ( http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...BP-Ballistics ) and this old issue of Shields Magazine ( https://www.google.com/ books / edition ... sec = frontcover) it seems that the most powerful load for a 38 in blackpowder is with 23 grains of powder and a 160 grain bullet. The thing is though that no one says what the OAL of the cartridge is with that load. The sight for the Kirst Konverter of the Colt Navy ( https://www.kirstkonverter.com/1851-61-colt-navy.html ) says that their cylinders are not for cartridges "exceeding 1.425" overall length ". So can a load of 23 grains of powder and a 160 grain bullet be compressed to 1.425 inches? If not then what other bullet types could be used? I'm not sure if other conversion cylinders like the Howell Old West have that same length limitation, and if anyone can clear that up for me to then I would appreciate it.
I would definitely want to use a hollow base bullet in order to engage the .375 rifling of the Colt Navy barrel, but I cannot find molds for HB bullets meant for a Colt. The best that I could find may be the Rapine .358149, but they are no longer made. The next best thing I can think of is taking out and using the HBFP used in these 38 Long Colts ( https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1000515467 ). If anyone knows how I could find a mold for bullets like those please let me know. Other than that I may also try these 9mm 135 grain (HBFP https://shopwilsoncombat.com/BULLET-...o/B9-135-HBFP/ )
I also know that I will most likely use Goex fffg since that should give me the most powder per volume, at least according to this reference (https://www.curtrich.com/BPConversionSheet.htm)
To sum things up again, before I go investing a lot of money into this, what would be the most powerful BP load I can make for a conversion revolver? Is it feasable to compress a 158 - 160 grn bullet to 1.425 inches with 23 grains of powder in a 38 special case? If not then what ratio of bullet weight to powder charge should I go for? I also know that I may have an easier time with the flat end of a wad-cutter, but I want to go with a RNFP because of improved aerodynamics, and simply for the challenge.
Thank you
I am looking into getting a cartridge conversion of a Uberti Colt 1851, and I have been wondering how powerful of a black powder cartridge I could use in the gun, and what I could feasibly make for it. I am hoping that maybe some of you others have already tried this out on your own and that I can learn from you.
From what I've read in this previous post(https://www.thehighroad.org/index.ph...or-357.795086/) you can get 30 grains in 38 special brass with compression, and specifically 25 grains into Starline brass. Based on this post form castboolits when using Goex ( http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...BP-Ballistics ) and this old issue of Shields Magazine ( https://www.google.com/ books / edition ... sec = frontcover) it seems that the most powerful load for a 38 in blackpowder is with 23 grains of powder and a 160 grain bullet. The thing is though that no one says what the OAL of the cartridge is with that load. The sight for the Kirst Konverter of the Colt Navy ( https://www.kirstkonverter.com/1851-61-colt-navy.html ) says that their cylinders are not for cartridges "exceeding 1.425" overall length ". So can a load of 23 grains of powder and a 160 grain bullet be compressed to 1.425 inches? If not then what other bullet types could be used? I'm not sure if other conversion cylinders like the Howell Old West have that same length limitation, and if anyone can clear that up for me to then I would appreciate it.
I would definitely want to use a hollow base bullet in order to engage the .375 rifling of the Colt Navy barrel, but I cannot find molds for HB bullets meant for a Colt. The best that I could find may be the Rapine .358149, but they are no longer made. The next best thing I can think of is taking out and using the HBFP used in these 38 Long Colts ( https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1000515467 ). If anyone knows how I could find a mold for bullets like those please let me know. Other than that I may also try these 9mm 135 grain (HBFP https://shopwilsoncombat.com/BULLET-...o/B9-135-HBFP/ )
I also know that I will most likely use Goex fffg since that should give me the most powder per volume, at least according to this reference (https://www.curtrich.com/BPConversionSheet.htm)
To sum things up again, before I go investing a lot of money into this, what would be the most powerful BP load I can make for a conversion revolver? Is it feasable to compress a 158 - 160 grn bullet to 1.425 inches with 23 grains of powder in a 38 special case? If not then what ratio of bullet weight to powder charge should I go for? I also know that I may have an easier time with the flat end of a wad-cutter, but I want to go with a RNFP because of improved aerodynamics, and simply for the challenge.
Thank you