Playing with the chrono

[Logan5579]

Here's some raw data for you gents to think about.
Components:
CCI 300 large pistol primers
Starline cases
Bullets were cast from pure lead from a Lee 452-255-RF mold (260-263gr actual weight) and lubed with Alox
All shots were fired from this gun (Cimarron Pistolero, or Pietta 1873 SA, whichever you prefer to call it - Caliber 45 colt)

I fired 5 shot strings with each different load listed
Bullet energies were calculated on this website:
https://www.larrywillis.com/bullet-energy.html

Here are the velocities I measured from this gun with some smokeless rounds (just for reference)
American Quality Ammo "800fps Cowboy loads" 255gr hardcast
784fps
785fps
776fps
779fps
817fps
---------
Average velocity - 788fps
Bullet Energy - 351.7 ft/lb

Double Tap 255gr Hardcast solid (supposed to be 915fps from a 5.5in barrel)
813fps
818fps
808fps
808fps
823fps
---------
Average velocity - 814fps
Bullet Energy - 375ft/lb

Now the BP loads:
Pyrodex P (30gr/vol behind a 260gr pure lead RNFP)
798fps
781fps
774fps
778fps
758fps
---------
Average velocity - 778fps
Bullet Energy - 348.5ft/lb

Pyrodex P (32gr/vol behind a 260gr pure lead RNFP)
805fps
810fps
819fps
800fps
794fps
----------
Average velocity - 805.6fps
Bullet Energy - 374.6ft/lb

Pyrodex P (35gr/vol behind a 260gr pure lead RNFP)
851fps
870fps
855fps
850fps
837fps
---------
Average velocity - 852.6fps
Bullet Energy - 419.6ft/lb

Swiss 3F (34gr/vol behind a 260gr pure lead RNFP)
Note: I used 34gr/vol because it gave me 1/16 compression when seating the bullets and I didn't want to deform the soft lead bullets on seating. I have a compression die on order and when it comes in I will add some data for a few heavier BP loads
851fps
824fps
842fps
818fps
845fps
---------
Average velocity - 836fps
Bullet Energy - 403ft/lb

Enjoy,
If you would like to add your own chrono data for your gun/load, please do so and we'll maybe get some data for different barrel lengths, primers, powders, etc

 

[Blackpowderwarrior]

Thank you for the Chrono data. It's very valuable and to me all Chrono data is worth it's weight in gold.

By the way what length is the barrel on that 1873?

 

[Eyrie G. Dogg]

Agreed. Thanks for those stats. Good work.

 

[Logan5579]

Thank you for the Chrono data. It's very valuable and to me all Chrono data is worth it's weight in gold.

By the way what length is the barrel on that 1873?

Barrel length is 4.75 in. and thanks for the feedback. I'm glad the chrono data is helpful. I was hoping it would be useful to someone as reference material or a starting point for BP cartridge loads