Loads for .36 Cal. Revolver

[4v50 Gary]

A member asked for loads for his .36 caliber revolver. Here's what I found in the Lyman Handbook (everyone should have one) for the 5" bbl w/1-24" twist.

Round ball (79 grain .375" diameter). Goex FFFg. Ox-Yoke Wonder Wad, Rem #10 cap,

15 gr = 618 mv, 67 me. Vel @ 25 yds 583 fps, 60 lbs
17.5 gr = 685 mv, 82 me. Vel @ 25 yds 646 fps, 73 lbs
20 gr = 750 mv, 99 me. Vel @ 25 yds 706 fps, 87 lbs
22.5 gr = 780 mv, 107 me. Vel @ 25 yds 733 fps, 94 lbs
25 gr = 819 mv, 118 me. Vel @ 25 yds 769 fps, 104 lbs
27.5 gr = 847 me, 126 me. Vel @ 25 yds 793 fps, 110 lbs
30 gr = 897 me, 141 me. Vel @ 25 yds 784 fps, 108 lbs

Same as above but with Elephant FFFg.

15 gr = 542 mv, 52 me. Vel @ 25 yds 511 fps, 46 lbs
17.5 gr = 574 mv, 58 me. Vel @ 25 yds 541 fps, 51 lbs
20 gr = 648 mv, 74 me. Vel @ 25 yds 611 fps, 66 lbs
22.5 gr = 670 mv, 79 me. Vel @ 25 yds 632 fps, 70 lbs
25 gr = 692 mv, 84 me. Vel @ 25 yds 652 fps, 75 lbs
27.5 gr = 738 mv, 96 me. Vel @ 25 yds 695 fps, 85 lbs.

Same as above but with Pyrodex P

15 gr = 480 mv, 40 me. Vel @ 25 yds 452 fps, 36 lbs
17.5 gr = 637 mv, 71 me. Vel @ 25 yds 601 fps, 63 lbs
20 gr = 781 mv, 107 me. Vel @ 25 yds 734 fps, 95 lbs
22.5 gr = 850 mv, 127 me. Vel @ 25 yds 796 fps, 111 lbs
25 gr = 948 mv, 158 me. Vel @ 25 yds 878 fps, 135 lbs
27.5 gr = 976 mv, 167 me. Vel @ 25 yds 900 fps, 142 lbs
30 gr = 1017 mv, 181 me. Vel @ 25 yds 930 fps, 152 lbs.

 

[timothy75]

Very good data thanks. This post should be sticky as I'll probably be searching for it in a week.

 

[Malamute]

Do you have any info on Kik compared to other powders?

I recall the old Lyman black powder manual had another powder in their data, Curtis and Harvey(?) and one of the powders had higher velocity for the same charges similar to what you have here.

 

[4v50 Gary]

KiK isn't listed.

 

[BobMcG]

Nice post.

Very good data thanks. This post should be sticky as I'll probably be searching for it in a week.

Copy it to "note pad" then save it as a document. You can print it too.

 

[Titanvk56]

Thank you very much!!

And I thought my request fell on deaf ears.....

 

[Roswell 1847]

I recall the old Lyman black powder manual had another powder in their data, Curtis and Harvey(?) and one of the powders had higher velocity for the same charges similar to what you have here.

Thats the powder I always used with my 1851 replica, and it did give excellent performance and striking power. When I first got it that is, haven't seen it anywhere nearby lately.

I haven't noticed any lack of power using Goex but I never use a wad with my loads. I also use no.11 caps, use uncle Mike nipples.
Prodex is not a bad propelent but it would rust a gun up quickly if not throughly cleaned and required the stronger no.11 cap for ignition.

PS
I'm pretty sure that using wads with the smaller charges of the .36 would prevent proper compression of a blackpowder load.
Pyrodex also requires compression but possibly its not as critical.

I've never seen velocity figures that low for any .36 Blackpowder loading and these are the only ones I've seen that use a wad.

 

[JohnI]

36 cal revolver

Thank You for your reply.
I forgot to mention that the gun has a six and a half inch barrel.
Will the load be the same as a five inch?
JohnI

 

[4v50 Gary]

Same loads. Slightly different performance.

 

[mobayjd]

Thanks abunch Gary! I,ve been using 15gr Pyrodex, .375 ball and am satisfied, I did go to Pyrodex website and they listed 30gr max.
Couldn,t find anything on .31cal. Any help with this would be appreciated, using 12gr pyrodex and it goes boom but cylinder is not half full with powder wonder wad and ball?

 

[Malamute]

" .........it goes boom but cylinder is not half full with powder wonder wad and ball?"


Hmm,....I pour powder in the chamber til it looks like I can compress the powder just enough to get the ball barely flush, dump it in the scale and weigh it, then start working a flask spout down till it throws a charge right there. Is there some other way to get a load?



Yes, I'm serious, that's how I do it.