Conicals for C&B Revolvers

[StrawHat]

flmason,

When I first started competing with C&B revolvers, the Remington used to show up on the line during target matces. Colts 1860 models also. Most of the top shooters at that time, were using either 185 or 200 grain target SWC bullets. Some of the fellows cast and some used swaged. All of them reamed the cylinder to accept the bullet and in doing so created a "ledge" against which they could seat the bullet insuring a repeatable depth each time.

I haven't seen this done since the replicas became popular but I don't see why it wouldn't work on them as well.

 

[flmason]

@StrawHat - So do I read correctly? You mean just standard, say Keith type, SWC's but cast from pure lead?

Have to admit, I'm not much of a fan of round nose for hunting purposes. Much more a fan of SWC's.

 

[StrawHat]

Yes and no. I am referring to the SWC target style bullet, much lighter than the standard Keith type bullet. I believe the Keiths would work but velocity will be low.

 

[Voodoochile]

Hey VoodoChile,
So do I read this right? The diameter of the chambers on the Piettas grew by .006 over the years?

The Lee molds I've been looking at for conicals seem to be the 200 gr. .450 jobbies. I guess that's OK if they are hollow base and expand? To be honest, not sure what the actual land and groove diameters are in my '58 yet. Still waiting for the box to arrive.

Pietta is reccomending .454 for the round balls. So I have to believe that a .456 conical would be a little on the tight side. Are those getting shaved off?

In any event, I was hoping to come as close to the .45 LC load of 250 gr. ball and 40 gr. BP. (Granted stuffing 40 gr. into the '58 may be impossible, and not reccomended or lot allow sufficient seating depth? More realistically thinking the 200 gr. conical and 28-35 gr. of Pyrodex P.)

Both of my Piettas had chamber diameters of .4490 "24 year old one" & .4460 "2 year old one" & what I did with my 5.5" barreled one was reamed the chambers to .4510 to accomodate the .4495 grove size in the barrel to improve it's accuracy with conicals.

With 200gr. Lee conical you'll get 35gr. of FFFG "or Pyrodex P" max in the chambers & have the conicals just below the cylinder face but that will not be your most accurate load, my loading of 30gr. FFFG Goex & the 220gr. Lee conical is quite accurate in my lil cannon & it's punch is sufficient.