.50 Caliber BP Revolvers

[Timthinker]

I once read about a gentleman on this website who modified a Ruger Old Army revolver to accept .50 caliber balls rather than its standard bore configuration. This idea intrigued me. So, my question is have any of our members considered modifying their BP revolvers to .50 caliber? This question obviously applies to any BP revolver and not just the ROA.

I am not sure it there is any practical benefit to justify the expense of such a design modification, but for some reason a .50 revolver fascinates me. I look forward to the responses this thread will bring.


Timthinker

 

[Vermonter]

It'd be great if it could use sabots for .50 rifles. The ROA conversion is something like .485

 

[arcticap]

I don't own any BP revolvers and even I'm intrigued by the .50 ROA concept. However, after a little while I again begin to think with my head and not my heart!
Since I'm not a big fan of handguns that have a lot of recoil, I would probably prefer to load the larger caliber to such a low velocity to make it milder shooting, that it would end up negating almost any potential benefit of having the larger caliber revolver to begin with.
For me, it would probably be a little too uncomfortable and without much purpose to shoot with full power loads except for maybe hunting or self-defense. After all, that's why the most accurate target loads for many revolvers use closer to the minimum powder charges anyway.
Don't let me burst anyone's bubble though, if I had the chance to actually shoot one there's always a chance that I'd fall in love with it anyway. Good gosh, there goes my heart doing all the talking again!

 

[Misfire99]

Since I'm not a big fan of handguns that have a lot of recoil, I would probably prefer to load the larger caliber to such a low velocity to make it milder shooting, that it would end up negating almost any potential benefit of having the larger caliber revolver to begin with.

On a sad note to this. Where I used to live there was a guy that shot ISPC revolver. He lived, with his family, in an upsacle neighborhood, Blackhawk. One night he heard a gang of scumbags beating up his house keeper. He came to the top of the stairs with his revolver and double tapped them all in the center of mass. But he used his target loads, probably all he had on hand, and his targets turned and shot him dead. This is a reminder for all those folks that want to use a cap and ball for self defence. Yea they are cool pistols but when the S__T is hitting the fan you want a big gun.

 

[Timthinker]

Misfire, could you elaborate on this story? Caplock revolvers are not BB guns. While I would prefer a conventional firearm to a BP weapon, muzzleloaders can and have killed many people. I would appreciate some more details. Thanks.


Timthinker

 

[Chazz]

This is a reminder for all those folks that want to use a cap and ball for self defence. Yea they are cool pistols but when the S__T is hitting the fan you want a big gun.

There is nothing wrong with using cap and ball for self defence, unless your using target loads lol, that's for sure... Even a 31 or 36 is sufficient enough for self defence.

Now a 50 cal. would be nice in a BP revolver, it seems I remember seeing one converted, I think some gunsmith's would be happy to do it. If I had a lathe I'd do it myself... maybe convert my Walker, that would be fascinating.

 

[mykeal]

There is nothing wrong with using cap and ball for self defence, unless your using target loads lol, that's for sure... Even a 31 or 36 is sufficient enough for self defence.

Well, yeah, but...the smaller the caliber and the lower the muzzle (and thus target) energy, the better you have to be at shot placement. A .44 Mag smokeless cartridge will go a whole lot farther towards stopping someone if misplaced a few inches than a .31 cal rb over 15 gr of Pyrodex P in the same place.

 

[Chazz]

Well, yeah, but...the smaller the caliber and the lower the muzzle (and thus target) energy, the better you have to be at shot placement.

I totally agree with you mykeal, though a 31 has it's uses in self defense, being easily concealable, shot placement at arms reach or 5' away shouldn't be a problem, any further would probably be useless. It's the same with those small caliber cartridge guns as well.. It's a good ankle gun, any bigger your wearing leg weights.. I don't want to derail the thread on this lol....

hopefully someone has a modified bp revolver in 50 cal. would like to see that...

 

[pacecars]

http://www.clementscustomguns.com/rugerrevolvers.html

.50 Cal. Ruger Old Army: This is a 5-shot conversion of the Old Army to .50 caliber. Gun will shoot .490" round balls @ 1250 fps and a 250 gr. .488" dia. bullet @ 1150 fps using Hodgdon's Triple 7 powder. Standard features include an oversize 5 shot cyl. made to fit your individual gun, 6 3/4" full octagon barrel made from a Kreiger blank with integral front sight base and dovetailed sight blade, action job, and reliability modifications. Load data furnished. We pioneered this conversion and it is only available from us. Accuracy will put some centerfire guns to shame. Bullets are available from Mt. Baldy Bullets. Conversions are only available on stainless adjustable sight guns. $995 on your gun. Extra .50 cal. cyl. furnished with conversion $500
The 6 3/4" barrel is the only length available for this conversion.
Ruger has recently discontinued the Old Army. Conversion is only available on customer supplied guns.

Here is a review:
http://gunblast.com/Cumpston_ClementsFugett.htm