Conversion Cylinder Loads

[clancy12]

I am debating buying a Pietta 1858 Stainless Steel and then buying a conversion cylinder for it. If I were to do this, how hot of 45 Colt rounds can I shoot out of it? I reload my ammo so I could make them any hotness I want but I wouldn't want to blow up the cylinder or anything. Any info is appreciated.

 

[damoc]

Im no expert but i dont load beyond traditional black powder or cowboy action
loads.I dont know what pressures velcities etc a full case fffg actually produces
but its pretty impressive and any modern load made to within these levels
is equally or more so.

I think that is what is recomended and to be honest i dont see any need to go beyond these power levels anyway.(no grizzly bear where i live)

even back in the day these guns were no slouches

the walls in those cylinders seem very thin comparing one to a rugar blackhawk designed for hotter than traditional loads

 

[clancy12]

Thanks. Still cant decide whether to drop money on it though, just too many fun guns to own and I can't buy them all. Yet.

 

[mykeal]

Why not ask the manufacturer?

 

[StrawHat]

Most of the conversion cylinders come with the caveat to load only factory ammo in them. The common thought is that any black powder equivalent load would be safe. My thoughts are that most 45 long Colt ammo was based on the 255 grain bullet and the projectile of choice for the C&B was the round ball so your sights are going to need adjustment each time you switch cylinders. If you want a cartridge revolver, consider getting one that was set up for them from the factory.

If you are interested, the original Remingtons were converted to 46 Rimfire and that can be approximated by using the 45 Cowboy Special case from here.

http://www.cowboy45special.com/cowboy45brass.html

 

[ClemBert]

Your upper limit will probably be 40 grains FFFg BP and a 255 grain bullet. I have no idea what the smokeless equivalent is to that. But why use that heathen powder anyway.

 

[kameron1858]

I use 5 grains red dot under a 200grain OGT lazer cast semi wadcutter with remington brass and CCI #300 primers for my smokeless 45colt loads fun to shoot and easy to clean. I'll save the black stuff for my 51 Oh and I use a $15 lee classic hand loader to make the load mentioned above.

 

[kameron1858]

oh yeah I forgot to ad conversion cylinders are rated for "cowboy loads" so 1000FPS or under only. going over that your risking more than it's worth