Loads in 1860 Army

[Keegster]

Hello All,
I recently got an 1860 army steel frame for Christmas. I haven't shot it yet but i'm dying to. What is a good load to fire in one of these and what is the maximum load that can be fired without compromising safety? Also, just out of curiosity, what would happen if you used the same volume of powder, but using 4f instead?

 

[mec]

28-30 grains with round ball is a very satisfactory load whether you use goex FFFg, pyrodex p or Swiss FFFg. Mine works well with up to 35 grains and will hold 49 grains with considerable compression. At 40 grains, my particular revolver will display hammer blow back and rough functioning with Swiss or Pyrodex.
(all charges thrown from a measure calibrated for goex fffg. The actual weight of Swiss is greater while pyrodex is much lighter and compresses more readily)
Loads 140-141 Grain Ball Velocity Spread/6rounds
28 Grains Goex FFFg Second Generation Colt 822 55
28 Grains Goex FFFg Uberti 871 104
35 Grains Goex FFFg Second Generation Colt 855 37
35 Grains Swiss Uberti 1031 48
Same Load Different Day 1020 34
40 Grains Goex FFFg 992 34
40 grains Goex FFFg with Wonder Wad 942 30
40 Grains Swiss FFFg 1042 49
40 Grains Swiss FFFg with Wonder Wad 1055 80
22 Gr/Vol. Pyrodex P .457" 725 25
22 Gr/Vol. Pyrodex P .454" 712 27
28 Gr/Vol. Pyrodex P 841 54
*30 Gr/Vol. Pyrodex P .457 931 (lubed 1/8" wad) 21
30 Gr/Vol. Pyrodex P .457 904 (lubed double wad) 47
*30 Gr/Vol. Pyrodex P .457
Uberti Army made in 1980 899 77 Identical revolvers made
in 1980 and 2004
35Gr/Vol. Pyrodex P 1047 116
35 Gr/Vol Pyrodex P with Wonder Wad 1055 69
35 Gr/Vol. Pyrodex P different Day 1046 77
28 Gr/Vol American Pioneer 506 57