36 conversion cylinders

[brewer12345]

I would rather have one for the 44, but I do not have dies, brass, or a mold for 45LC. I already load all manner of 38 special, though, including a trail boss HBWC load. Are these things accurate? I know there is a bore diameter issue, but can you overcome it with HBWCs?

 

[expat_alaska]

Marginally, even with heeled bullets.

For my money I would get a cylinder for .357" bullets and have the barrel relined for .357" bullets. Kirst offers this, but it ain't cheap.

1851 | 1861 Colt Navy revolver | Cartridge Conversion | Ejector (kirstkonverter.com)

Regards,

Jim

 

[45 Dragoon]

Personally, I'm not a fan. Hollow base is iffy, outside lubed requires it's own setup . . . too much trouble for me but that's just me . . .

On the other hand, the 45 Colt conversions are awesome and I have many . . .
Might be easier for you to get a liner for your barrel.
Strictly my opinion.

Mike

 

[brewer12345]

Nah, not interested in a liner or doing much to the gun. Guess I will just see what I can line up in the way of 45 LC stuff and then try for a cylinder.

 

[LightninST]

Cheaper to buy a Richard Masson conversion gun in 38spl .
http://www.ubertireplicas.com/product/1851-richards-mason-navy/

 

[45 Dragoon]

Nah, not interested in a liner or doing much to the gun. Guess I will just see what I can line up in the way of 45 LC stuff and then try for a cylinder.

That's what I would do!!

Mike

 

[TTv2]

I had an idea years ago to buy a used barrel on the cheap and have it sent to be re-lined, then I'd have the .375 barrel for shooting percussion and the .357 barrel for .38. Didn't do it, just didn't feel it was worth the money.

Duelist1954 recently did a video on this subject and bottom line is hollow base is fine.

 

[brewer12345]

Well, that was relatively painless. I found a reasonably priced die set and found a buy it now seller on GB asking $150 for 600+ once fired brass. The brass price seems to be reasonable to a good deal in today's market. I have a bunch of Trail Boss so I should be able to load some shells. Backordered a conversion cylinder at midway (no idea how long that will take). I have buckets of cast 200 grain SWC bullets for 45 ACP (HG 68 design) that I plan to try with very light loads since I have no specific 45 colt molds.

 

[AntiqueSledMan]

Hey Guys,

Loading heeled bullets isn't that bad, I think Mike makes it look harder then it really is.
I've been loading 44 Colt with heeled bullets, It's just one extra step.
He's how I did it, everything is available for the 38 Colt's.
https://1858remington.com/index.php?topic=8675.0

Enjoy, AntiqueSledMan.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

It's great that you are working on .45 Colt conversion, but I don't think you should abandon the .38 Conversion Cylinder project. The hollow base wadcutters do work quite well. Yes IF you went for a lined barrel, it would cost you around the same if not more than a Richards-Mason revolver, BUT you simply don't have to do more than buy the cylinder and use hollow-based bullets.

LD

 

[whughett]

I tried the 45ACP 200 grainers in 45C. As a bullet caster I was looking for a dual 45C/ACP bullet. With smokeless powders it simply didn’t work well for me. With no crimping groove and that over sized 45C case capacity unburned powder and iffy accuracy was an issue. I gave up and just ordered a 200 grain RNFP for use in the 45C. Admittedly I didn’t try various powders including TrailBoss. Blackpowder loads were better with that bullet but there were issues there also with out that roll crimp capability.

 

[brewer12345]

I might seat it so I can crimp over the shoulder of the SWC design. Plenty of room in those cases.

 

[TTv2]

I tried the 45ACP 200 grainers in 45C. As a bullet caster I was looking for a dual 45C/ACP bullet. With smokeless powders it simply didn’t work well for me. With no crimping groove and that over sized 45C case capacity unburned powder and iffy accuracy was an issue. I gave up and just ordered a 200 grain RNFP for use in the 45C. Admittedly I didn’t try various powders including TrailBoss. Blackpowder loads were better with that bullet but there were issues there also with out that roll crimp capability.

Use Trail Boss, a magnum primer, and try again. Roll crimping is better for a revolver, but a heavy taper crimp is not incapable of working, especially with Trail Boss, I've gotten good results with TB and a taper crimp using .32 ACP bullets in .32 and .327 Magnum.

 

[brewer12345]

Well, I put in a backorder for the 44 conversion cylinder at midway and figured it might be a while. Shipped today to my surprise.