Last year we picked up this well preserved box of factory loads which some collectors have dated to 1913-16. The box went to John Taffin. There was another full box at the same place-less well preserved and suitable for expermentation.
The loads are as follows.
246 grain lead round nose with cupr-nickle jackets and slightly cupped base
Weight range from 244.6 to 246 grains. Diameter .428";
Powder Charge- Black powder ranging from 24.2-27.0 grains and 20 cartridges averaged out at 25.5 grains.
Primers- enert. Replaced with new remington lpp.
All components reassembled and an additional batch loaded with 25.5 grains of Goex fffg.
Velocities from loads using the original powder- 709 fps ten round average with a 73 fps spread.
The same bullets and cases with Goex 3f substituted got 762 fps with a 56 fps spread
The revolver picked up some external crud during firing but function remained smooth through about 30 rounds of ammunition. 25 yard groups were comparable to results with modern .44 special loads-just a bit larger than the best of them. The black power loads get a little more velocity in this revolver than current 246 grain RNL smokeless factory loads.
I've fired some of the 90 year old black in a couple of percussion revolvers. While Goex out did the older powder in the above revolver cartridges the percussion revolvers reversed the results.
Uberti Colt Paterson Replica
22 Grains Goex FFFg --.380" Ball-- 879ave --37 spread
22 Grains Ninety Year Old FFFg --.380" Ball --943 ave-- 75spread
