I have been doing research for new potential options for loading reproduction black powder guns. Right now I am curious about the potential .45 Win Mag brass loaded with BP could have for use in both 1860 Colt conversions, and Henry 1860 or Winchester 1866 rifles. Given the dimensions of the cartridge case I think it could be used to recreate the ballistics of both 44 Colt or 44 Henry, while adding the benefit of using an inside lubed bullet, and maybe even 45 Colt
Fore the 1860 revolver, given the fact that the cartridge is rimless, it can allow the use of six rounds in a cylinder like that of the 44 Colt conversion cylinders, and unlike modern reproductions that only allow five 45 Colt rounds. Making sure to use BP is important due to cylinder pressures of course. I understand that the conversion cylinders available in 45 acp are limited to five rounds not due to cylinder pressures even though six is possible due to the rimless cartridge diameter.
In the case of the 1860 Henry and Winchester 1866, like I stated before I think the 45 WinMag could be loaded to replicate the 44 Henry, while maybe milling down the length of the brass a little in this case, or seating the bullet a little deeper. Also, based on these old thread discussions https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/rimmed-or-rimless-cartridge-for-lever-actions.221555/ and https://gunhub.com/rifles/51126-rimless-cartridge-lever-guns.html it should be reasonably possible to modify and lever action to extract rimless ammo.
The biggest benefit I am hoping for is then having a load that can be used in both a revolver and rifle. Something that was possible with the Colt Open Top revolvers in 44 Henry, and was not possible for the 44 Colt due to its small diameter rim.
So is this as probable of an option as I think it is? Has anyone tried it before?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.45_Winchester_Magnum Bullet dia= .452, Rim dia= .48
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.44_Colt Bullet dia = .451 , Rim dia = .483
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.44_Henry Bullet dia= .446
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.45_Colt Bullet dia= .452
Fore the 1860 revolver, given the fact that the cartridge is rimless, it can allow the use of six rounds in a cylinder like that of the 44 Colt conversion cylinders, and unlike modern reproductions that only allow five 45 Colt rounds. Making sure to use BP is important due to cylinder pressures of course. I understand that the conversion cylinders available in 45 acp are limited to five rounds not due to cylinder pressures even though six is possible due to the rimless cartridge diameter.
In the case of the 1860 Henry and Winchester 1866, like I stated before I think the 45 WinMag could be loaded to replicate the 44 Henry, while maybe milling down the length of the brass a little in this case, or seating the bullet a little deeper. Also, based on these old thread discussions https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/rimmed-or-rimless-cartridge-for-lever-actions.221555/ and https://gunhub.com/rifles/51126-rimless-cartridge-lever-guns.html it should be reasonably possible to modify and lever action to extract rimless ammo.
The biggest benefit I am hoping for is then having a load that can be used in both a revolver and rifle. Something that was possible with the Colt Open Top revolvers in 44 Henry, and was not possible for the 44 Colt due to its small diameter rim.
So is this as probable of an option as I think it is? Has anyone tried it before?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.45_Winchester_Magnum Bullet dia= .452, Rim dia= .48
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.44_Colt Bullet dia = .451 , Rim dia = .483
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.44_Henry Bullet dia= .446
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.45_Colt Bullet dia= .452