Been here before but just want to be sure

[jmaubin]

I have a .44 cal colt 1860 made by Pietta it's frame is steel. I've had it for several months and have been shooting it with about 22 grains of powder.

Like I've said before the Pietta manual says max load is 18 grains of triple f, Dixie says ( where I got it from) says 22 grains of triple f. I've heard a lot of you speak of much higher loads. I guess I'm just looking for some type load that I can use in the field without pushing safety, but get the best out of it, without any safety Issues. Any info of/or what you have found would be great.

 

[mykeal]

You literally cannot overload the gun. It will be safe to shoot with the chamber completely full of powder (and ball). It will not be accurate, but it will be safe.

 

[Tomahawk674]

That's only if you use blackpowder or equally performing substitutes, I think. It does not apply for 777.

 

[DoubleDeuce 1]

J, as has been mentioned, you can't overload the revolver. The best loads however might be what Dixie recommends. I shoot 24 gr in my .44, and 30 gr has been the tops. I haven't really felt the need to load it up so much to punch a hole in paper. Start out at the 18 gr charge and work your way up. Shoot the revolver from a sandbag, and shoot several cylinders with the same charge before you increase your powder. FFG blackpowder is the best for revolvers in my experience. The Walker takes a bit more powder. Be consistent in your loading procedure. Choose the distance you will be shooting the most and stick with it. Shooting within twenty-five yards is about normal. It won't take long before you know which load suits you and your revolver.

 

[mykeal]

That's only if you use blackpowder or equally performing substitutes, I think. It does not apply for 777.

I don't agree. 777 is, in the limit, 15% more powerful. The structural margins on the cylinders, and the proof loads they are all tested to, are well beyond that 15%.

In any case, full chamber loads are foolish; they result in poor accuracy and wasted powder, so they should not ever be used regardless of whether they're with real black or a substitute, including 777.

 

[BHP FAN]

Actually,that 22 gr charge is just about my pet load,30 is my max charge for replicas in good shape.notice that I said MY max load ...YMMV.

 

[DoubleDeuce 1]

I goofed... I want to correct my last post where I mentioned the use of FFG powder. Thanks to my big brother looking out for me and making sure I don't screw up too badly, he caught the type-o.
So, in my experience... using FFFG, that is THREE F, and not two F powder has been the best.
I know you are out there Mush...

FFFG, FFFG, FFFG

 

[.50cal]

25 gr is what my 1860 pietta likes best (black or pyro) so I cut the nozzle on my flask off at that level. My friend I shoot with uses 30 gr 777 in his but it is all over the target, why he has to use that much powder I dont know..maybe my walker gave him a "small gun" complex.