45 colt BP testing

[damoc]

Did some range testing of 3 different black powders or substitutes loaded into 45 colt.

 

[TheOutlawKid]

Mr.damoc thanks for sharing!

 

[Malachi Leviticus Blue]

FYI,
The Reenactor powder really wasn't developed with the intent of firing projectiles.
It was intended to be used as blank loads during reenactments.
That said, it is also a low cost option for plinking, but like the OP mentions it's not graded.

 

[robhof]

FYI,
The Reenactor powder really wasn't developed with the intent of firing projectiles.
It was intended to be used as blank loads during reenactments.
That said, it is also a low cost option for plinking, but like the OP mentions it's not graded.

Surprisingly they were more consistent than the cowboy loads, I was impressed with the 777, I use it often in my ROA's and always seemed on par with Bullseye cowboy loads.

 

[Jim Watson]

Do you have a data table instead of a 24 minute video?

 

[arcticap]

Even though it was after the gun cooled and was swabbed, I was impressed by the duplex loads of homemade with only 5 grains of 777.

One question I have is about compression.
You said that you filled the cases 1/8" from the top.
After that, how deep is the bullet inserted and the amount of compression that results?
Wouldn't the [re-enactor] powder be compressed more than 1/16" - 1/8" after the 250 grain bullet is loaded?
I thought that one recommended amount of total compression was supposed to be 1/16" - 1/8".
Could that create some variation with the re-enactor powder and the 250 grain bullets if the powder is getting crushed instead of compacted?
I realize that powders can be compressed as much as a person wants, especially home made powder if it's fluffy, but could any extra compression with the re-enactor powder also create velocity variations?
Do you fill the case to the same height no matter which size bullet that you're loading which affects the amount of compression?

I wonder how a duplex load would work with the re-enactor powder.
Have you ever used a filler or considered using one to obtain compression while loading slightly less powder due to the addition of 777?
If a little bit of 777 can boost powder performance with less compression, then maybe the case can be topped off with a little bit of filler which would help to conserve black powder.
And if more compression does help to increase velocity, then the filler would allow for some extra compression instead of using extra black powder to fill the case.
Every grain of filler that replaces black powder in favor of 777, might be cost savings if such a small amount of 777 can boost velocity.

I don't reload, but I figure that extra compression may be a two way street.
I'm not sure if it can create more variation, more velocity or both, depending on the powder and bullet.
But that must be the fun part of having a Chrony.

The same would apply with straight 777 cowboy loads which you said were hot, using filler with less powder could help to adjust the velocity and provide another option to always needing to rely on duplex loads in the future.

 

[arcticap]

Damoc, could you tell us about your shooting range?
Is that private property or is it open public space in the "desert?"
It sure is spacious and beautiful scenery but also looks very hot.
It must be tough to deal with the heat.
Is there a covered area set up to provide some shade when needed, or do you need to get into a vehicle to cool off?
Or is the range close enough to your house that it's all part of your back yard?

Thanks for sharing the video.
Some of us in the east can't imagine what it's like to not have trees to provide some shade.

Do you see many snakes out there, or what other animals do you happen to see out in that yonder?
Are there rabbits, armadillos, road runners or what?

 

[arcticap]

I was curious enough to look up Hodgdon Trail Boss powder because one of my sons reloads.44 Special with it to tame down recoil in a lightweight revolver.
But it only comes close to your targeted velocity range if used with some bullets.

Here's some .45 Colt loading info. from the Hodgdon Reloading Data Center. --->>> https://www.hodgdonreloading.com

200 grain cast bullets, max. load of 6.5 grains produces 855 FPS.
215 grain cast bullets, max. load of 6.5 grains produces 820 FPS.
230 grain cast bullets, max. load of 6.5 grains produces 802 FPS.
250 grain cast bullets, max load of 5.8 grains produces 727 FPS.

180 grain cast bullets, min. load of 6.0 grains produces 818 FPS.
180 grain cast bullets, max. load of 7.3 grains produces 935 FPS.

160 grain cast bullets, min. load of 7.0 grains produces 903 FPS.
160 grain cast bullets, max. load of 8.5 grains produces 1018 FPS.

 

[damoc]

Do you have a data table instead of a 24 minute video?

Ill get a copy of the record sheet and post it but wont be till next weekend.

 

[Jim Watson]

Thanks. I can read faster than I can listen and comprehend better, too.

 

[robhof]

Even though it was after the gun cooled and was swabbed, I was impressed by the duplex loads of homemade with only 5 grains of 777.

One question I have is about compression.
You said that you filled the cases 1/8" from the top.
After that, how deep is the bullet inserted and the amount of compression that results.
Wouldn't the [re-enactor] powder be compressed more than 1/16" - 1/8" after the 250 grain bullet is loaded?
I thought that one recommended amount of total compression was supposed to be 1/16" - 1/8".
Could that create some variation with the re-enactor powder and the 250 grain bullets if the powder is getting crushed instead of compacted?
I realize that powders can be compressed as much as a person wants, especially home made powder if it's fluffy, but could any extra compression with the re-enactor powder also create velocity variations?
Do you fill the case to the same height no matter which size bullet that your loading which affects the amount of compression?

I wonder how a duplex load would work with the re-enactor powder?
Have you ever used a filler or considered using one to obtain compression while loading slightly less powder due to the addition 777?
If a little bit of 777 can boost powder performance with less compression, then maybe the case can be topped off with a little bit of filler which would help conserve black powder.
And if more compression does help to increase velocity, then the filler would allow for some extra compression instead of using extra black powder to fill the case.
Every grain of filler that replaces black powder in favor of 777, might be cost savings if such a small amount of 777 can boost velocity.

I don't reload, but I figure that extra compression may be a two way street.
I'm not sure if it can create more variation, more velocity or both, depending on the powder and bullet or not.
But that must be the fun part of having a Chrony.

The same would apply with straight 777 cowboy loads which you said were hot, using filler with less powder could help to adjust the velocity and provide another option to always needing to rely on duplex loads in the future.

777 is picky about compression, I read and found about this myself. They respond very differently when heavily compressed, lower velocity and even hangfires, I found that light compression gives best and consistent results.

 

[damoc]

Damoc, could you tell us about your shooting range?
Is that private property or is it open public space in the "desert?"
It sure is spacious and beautiful scenery but also looks very hot.
It must be tough to deal with the heat.
Is there a covered area set up to provide some shade when needed, or do you need to get into a vehicle to cool off?
Or is the range close enough to your house that it's all part of your back yard?

Thanks for sharing the video.
Some of us back east can't imagine what it's like to not have trees to provide some shade.

Do you see many snakes out there, or what other animals do you happen to see out in that yonder?
Are there rabbits, armadillos, road runners or what?

The range is private and is in the back yard nearest neighbors are 3 miles away this is my weekend getaway so just got a shed and couple of trailers
and my forge never seen a snake at my place its fairly high elevation but there are rattle snakes in the valley.Ive got solar and wind if I need to I can sit and cool off in a trailer.

 

[damoc]

About the compression I have about 1/8 of space on top of powder and I compress about 1/8 maybe a little more which works well with my homemade powder if this is too much for 777 or the reenactor I'm not seeing any problems. Ill double check next weekend and give a better measurement of what i am using for compression. I dont want to mess with fillers or wads I like to be able to fill the case and i like to be able to use mostly my own powder.