First Test
Cold and Windy 49 degrees ~
Goex and Swiss Black Powder Tests
Hand Gun: 1994 reproduction; 1860 Brass PIETTA .44 Caliber SA Revolver.
GOEX Black Powder measurements: By Volume compared to Weight } ~ 25volume Grains = 23.2 weight grains.
First test was 6 shots using 25 weight grains or (26.8 volume grains) of Goex fffg black powder with one Cabela's vegetable lubed Wad in between the powder and ball, and a SPEER .451"diameter 136 grain soft lead round ball . Each Flute was primed with a Remington #10 Percussion Caps installed with a Snail Capper.
Loading the revolver with the Speer ball left only a small trace of excess lead shavings when seating the ball in the flute. This may have had some influence on the over excessive grouping..??
Recoil was stoutly mild. Didn't notice any stiffining in the action from powder residue.
Accuracy was very erratic.
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Hand Gun: 2007 reproducion; 1860 Steel PIETTA .44 caliber SA Revolver....
Comparing the SWISS powder in volume vs weight was the same.................
Second test was 6 shots using 25 grains of SWISS 3fg black powder covered with a Cabela's vegetable lubed Wad, and a Hornady .454" diameter 142 grain soft lead round lead ball. The Flute Nipples were primed with Remington's New #10 Percussion Caps.
Loading the revolver with the Hornady .454" ball did take more effort than did the .451". It also left a good ring of lead around the top edge of each flute.
Recoil was the strongest I've ever felt from my 1860's. I'd say it needs to be tweaked down a few grains. Accuracy was much better than with the smaller ball despite the recoil.
I did feel residue resistance in the action after the 4th round.
Next testing will contine with the remainder two black powders ~ KIK, and Goex Express......
Note: how high the barrel is pointing from recoil of the SWISS load- - - - - -