gtrgy888
Member
For the past 6 months, I’ve been carrying an 1851 replica with the logic that the proper way to appreciate history is to work around the limitations of the weapon and find out how to make it function as a deadly and reliable arm. I’m fairly close to that goal, since I can now guarantee 99% reliability with the caps and loading method I use. However, I still don’t trust ignition without seeing what it accomplishes on target (stacked 1 inch pine boards). To accomplish this, I’ve tested various loading methods once per month to get an idea how lethal loadings are when loaded fresh and after a month of carry.
Here’s some of what I’ve found:
30 grains maximum charge Triple 777 highly compressed, 5 weeks loaded, Bore Butter around balls, low moisture exposure: Punched through 4 boards, deflected off 5th. LETHAL. The greatest potential power of this weapon with .380 roundball.
30 grains ffffg Goex highly compressed, freshly loaded: 3 boards, dented 4th, busted 3rd in half. LETHAL.
28 grains ffffg Goex, 5 weeks loaded, exposed to moisture in air: Penetrated 1/2 board and bounced directly back. Ball flattened. Next shot penetrated 1.5 boards. NONLETHAL. Moisture exposure suspected, given no impact on previous Triple 777 powder loaded identically for the same time, but not moisture exposed.
140 grain Kaido conical bullet, tallow lubed:
21 grains ffffg Goex, freshly loaded: Punched through 6 boards, broke 5th in half. LETHAL.
Currently testing 2 weeks loaded 140 grain Kaido conicals loaded from freezer with only side grooves lubed and moisture exposed. Fingers crossed.
Here’s some of what I’ve found:
30 grains maximum charge Triple 777 highly compressed, 5 weeks loaded, Bore Butter around balls, low moisture exposure: Punched through 4 boards, deflected off 5th. LETHAL. The greatest potential power of this weapon with .380 roundball.
30 grains ffffg Goex highly compressed, freshly loaded: 3 boards, dented 4th, busted 3rd in half. LETHAL.
28 grains ffffg Goex, 5 weeks loaded, exposed to moisture in air: Penetrated 1/2 board and bounced directly back. Ball flattened. Next shot penetrated 1.5 boards. NONLETHAL. Moisture exposure suspected, given no impact on previous Triple 777 powder loaded identically for the same time, but not moisture exposed.
140 grain Kaido conical bullet, tallow lubed:
21 grains ffffg Goex, freshly loaded: Punched through 6 boards, broke 5th in half. LETHAL.
Currently testing 2 weeks loaded 140 grain Kaido conicals loaded from freezer with only side grooves lubed and moisture exposed. Fingers crossed.