Always been curious towards what my brass framed 1851 copy could push out. Havn't found any info saying what the possible muzzle velocities are. Only load the thing with 18-20 grains of powder since I don't want to stretch anything. Would load it with more but have been told to keep it around 20 if you want a brass frame to last. Can't imagine it's very fast the thing hardly dented the hub cap we were shooting at, unless I am underestimating the "squashiness" of round lead bullets hitting metal.
.44 1851 Muzzle Velocity
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Tomahawk674
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I really have no idea what a .44 does with 20 grains of powder (and it depends what kind of powder you are using) but I did want to comment on lead ball vs sheet metal.
I've seen sheet metal from a computer case stop a .36 ball from a navy with 15 grains of 777 fffg powder. Same goes to the sheet metal of a computer power supply. Yes I shoot dead computers
Sheet metal didn't always stop the shots, but it still did poorly when compared to modern fmj ammo. I think the softness of the lead plus the denting of the metal works to catch the ball. That is just my guess.
I've seen sheet metal from a computer case stop a .36 ball from a navy with 15 grains of 777 fffg powder. Same goes to the sheet metal of a computer power supply. Yes I shoot dead computers
Sheet metal didn't always stop the shots, but it still did poorly when compared to modern fmj ammo. I think the softness of the lead plus the denting of the metal works to catch the ball. That is just my guess.
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This could vary from one Revolver to another, and with how well the Ball fits the Barrel Bore, if the Cylinder Bores are slightly tapered, pushing the Ball way in will reduce it's diameter, too.
But, .44 Ball, 20 Grains of Powder, 6 inch Barrel...probably like 700-750 FPS...I would guess.
Full Charge of Powder, probably well into the 900s.
But, .44 Ball, 20 Grains of Powder, 6 inch Barrel...probably like 700-750 FPS...I would guess.
Full Charge of Powder, probably well into the 900s.
Ahh, shooting computers, what a Great Idea!! Next on my list would be "Cell Phones!!" Harder to hit, but the satisfaction would be well worth it.
Seriously though, this last winter my son-in-law had an unending supply of TV Satellite dishes for my targeting pleasure. A brass .44 Navy with 16gr BP would sometimes penetrate at 25 yards. A Dragoon with almost 3x that load would hardly slow down on its way through.
The .44 balls from the Navy would flatten out pretty good on impact so the impact energy was dispersed enough to prevent penetration 70% of the time. Sheet metal may provide a decent barrier but I still don't think I'd want to try to catch one with my hand.
Seriously though, this last winter my son-in-law had an unending supply of TV Satellite dishes for my targeting pleasure. A brass .44 Navy with 16gr BP would sometimes penetrate at 25 yards. A Dragoon with almost 3x that load would hardly slow down on its way through.
The .44 balls from the Navy would flatten out pretty good on impact so the impact energy was dispersed enough to prevent penetration 70% of the time. Sheet metal may provide a decent barrier but I still don't think I'd want to try to catch one with my hand.
Tomahawk674
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I've seen how lead balls flatten out when striking sheet metal, but I've recovered some from shooting into a book that look like the lead completely melted. I'd hate to see the wound that would leave behind.
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