Range report: Uberti .44 NMA and Swiss 3F

[LaneP]

The air temp was 43 degrees this morning with clammy, thick overcast and a thin micro drizzle in the air, the kind that ensures every surface stays wet. But that’s the sort of weather I like to get out in, ensuring a high probability the range won’t be packed elbow to elbow. This was the first time I’ve ever shot Swiss BP. All my life I’ve used Goex, and more recently Schutzen. But I got my hands on a stash of the gold standard of BP. Up today would be my 8” bbl Uberti .44 NMA (made in 2016) and two different bullets, an Eras Gone copy of the Johnston & Dow conical, and the Hornady swaged .454 RB.



First up was the J&D. These weigh in right at about 225 gr in pure lead. The Uberti NMA loading lever plunger is designed more for RB’s, so a while back I used a Dremel to reshape it in order to preserve the nose profile of pointed bullets like the J&D. These were loaded over 25 gr Swiss 3F (by volume) and Ox Yoke felt wad. This is max load for the NMA cylinder length, just clearing the cylinder face.



Following this load was two different charge weights of Swiss 3F and a Hornady .454 RB (avg ball weight 141 gr). These also sat on top of an Ox Yoke wad. Back in the day I didn’t do much of any chronograph work with BP, but this has steadily become an increased interest. The data is as follows:

225 gr J&D conical (Eras Gone mold)
Ox Yoke wad
25 gr (volume) Swiss 3F
CCI #11
Avg velocity: 761 fps
SD: 11
ES: 32

141 gr Hornady .454 RB
Ox Yoke wad
30 gr (volume) Swiss 3F
CCI #11
Avg velocity: 963 fps
SD: 18
ES: 51

141 gr Hornady .454 RB
Ox Yoke wad
35 gr (volume) Swiss 3F
CCI #11
Avg velocity: 1016 fps
SD: 15
ES: 39

Some additional notes: chrono was 12’ from muzzle, targets placed at 15 yds for groups. As expected, the heavier, slower J&D bullet's POI was highest at 6 inches. Following that, the 30 gr Swiss and .454 RB at 5 inches high, while going to 35 gr lowered the POI to only 3.5 inches above the sights.



In 30 shots I had no issues with cylinder rotation, cap jams or any of the like. I lubed the cylinder pin with Super Lube silicon grease prior to shooting and checked between reloads, and I could always pull the cylinder pin forward with minimal resistance. Back in the day with NMA designs and Goex, if I didn’t wipe and relube the pin between cylinder loads I would be hammering it out later on, whether I used chamber sealing grease or not.

I brought along a years old (at least 3, possibly 6) tube of Bore Butter, and discovered that it had aged in the tube to the consistency of cheddar cheese. I used it atop the RB loads (not the conical loads though) and struggled to get it to come out of the tube (note to self: time for a new tube).

Very happy with the performance of these loads today, from reliability to accuracy. The Hornady RB’s grouped the tightest, but the heavy conical J&D was not far behind. All an all a great revolver.

 

[Armored farmer]

Your 1000+fps load is very respectable.
My normal load is about 29gr 3f (45acp brass dipper).

Thanks for the info.

 

[Blackpowderwarrior]

Thanks for the information brother.
I'm interested in trying those Johnston and dows.

Maybe I could send some of my big lubes your way for some J and D

 

[brewer12345]

I imagine any of those loads would be unpleasant to stand in from of. Thanks for the data.

 

[windini]

Nice range report! Thanks.

 

[LaneP]

Thanks for the information brother.
I'm interested in trying those Johnston and dows.

Maybe I could send some of my big lubes your way for some J and D

When weather cooperates I'll get a batch cast up and give you a shout.

 

[paul harm]

Very nice and interesting report. Have you done any testing with GOEX ? Is velocity up with the same amount of Swiss ? It seems like everyone thinks GOEX is the bottom runner of BP. But seeing how it isn't produced anymore guess it doesn't really matter.

 

[LaneP]

Very nice and interesting report. Have you done any testing with GOEX ? Is velocity up with the same amount of Swiss ? It seems like everyone thinks GOEX is the bottom runner of BP. But seeing how it isn't produced anymore guess it doesn't really matter.

Thank you. I have done limited testing with Goex but not head to head, so now that I have a yardstick to measure against, I will be doing exactly that type of comparison as soon as weather and range time permits and get the results posted up.

I don't doubt Swiss will produce noticeably higher velocity than other brands. The only previous testing I've done was with a bargain basement reenactor powder called "Skirmish 3". A load of 50 gr of Skirmish 3 under a .457 RB produced 1075 fps from the 9" bbl of my Uberti Walker. I speculate if I were to load 50 gr Swiss 3F in the Walker I would expect 1200 fps territory easily. But definitely will get that data on the board as soon as able.

 

[Blackpowderwarrior]

When weather cooperates I'll get a batch cast up and give you a shout.

Thank you brother!

 

[dave951]

The reduced fouling with Swiss doesn't surprise me at all. That's why competition shooters use it.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

Excellent range report. Got to get me a NMA. Love my NMA in Navy caliber, but a .44 would be nice.

I'm curious as to using a wad under the bullet. One reason I prefer a lubed bullet is that I don't feel the need for a wad. (lots of bearing surface to seal the chamber) With a ball I do, but some don't use them and don't seem to be having any problem with chain fires. ?

Well, them Uberti's sure can shoot can't they? I have two, both very accurate.

 

[LaneP]

Excellent range report. Got to get me a NMA. Love my NMA in Navy caliber, but a .44 would be nice.

I'm curious as to using a wad under the bullet. One reason I prefer a lubed bullet is that I don't feel the need for a wad. (lots of bearing surface to seal the chamber) With a ball I do, but some don't use them and don't seem to be having any problem with chain fires. ?

Well, them Uberti's sure can shoot can't they? I have two, both very accurate.

Thanks. I think you're right on the wads. I never used them myself for years, but recently tried them to see if they have a beneficial effect on accuracy. I grabbed some for my .50 Great Plains rifle and hope to do some comparisons with and without using conicals to see how that may or may not aid with grouping. Most likely not necessary but I admit my experience with them in that application has a way to go.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

I think they have a greater effect with rifles. My round ball rifle likes two wads, my 1861 Springfield likes no wads. So you never know.

Last spring I played around with different loads and bullets in my NMA of Navy caliber, and from that limited testing it seemed that the slugs shot better without any kind of wads. With one particular bullet it opened the group. I was shooting Kaidos, a modified version of the original Colt bullet, a modified version of the original Remington bullet, and a "KREAL" which is a bullet designed by the Outlaw Kid, based on the LEE REAL. Anyhow, I didn't see any groups shrink with wads, but the Colt bullet's group opened up with them.

 

[5whiskey]

Gotta love Uberti's NMA. Good write up and good groups LaneP. Ugly, btw, I have never used a wad under a ball and have never had a chain fire. I do add a dollop of lube on top of the ball (usually a crisco/beeswax mix).

Very nice and interesting report. Have you done any testing with GOEX ? Is velocity up with the same amount of Swiss ? It seems like everyone thinks GOEX is the bottom runner of BP. But seeing how it isn't produced anymore guess it doesn't really matter.

I have done head to head with Olde Eynsford 3F and Goex 3F. Night and day difference. 30 grains of goex wouldn't launch a 140gn .454 ball past 900 FPS out of my Uberti NMA. The same charge of OE would almost hit 1,000 FPS with the same ball. Very similar to velocity to LaneP's findings with Swiss. FWIW, stuffing the cylinder to the gills (38 grains) under a .454 cast round ball will get me darn near 1,100 FPS... but that is all she has got captain, and that's me seating about as hard as I can on the gun to compress powder. My accuracy load is 33 grains, and will hold 3 cylinders in about 6" at 25 yards if I do my part. These old ancient technology clunkers we enjoy are quite accurate if you find what they like and treat them right. Best group I have ever shot with a handgun was out of an open top colt clone in .44.

 

[LaneP]

Gotta love Uberti's NMA. Good write up and good groups LaneP. Ugly, btw, I have never used a wad under a ball and have never had a chain fire. I do add a dollop of lube on top of the ball (usually a crisco/beeswax mix).



I have done head to head with Olde Eynsford 3F and Goex 3F. Night and day difference. 30 grains of goex wouldn't launch a 140gn .454 ball past 900 FPS out of my Uberti NMA. The same charge of OE would almost hit 1,000 FPS with the same ball. Very similar to velocity to LaneP's findings with Swiss. FWIW, stuffing the cylinder to the gills (38 grains) under a .454 cast round ball will get me darn near 1,100 FPS... but that is all she has got captain, and that's me seating about as hard as I can on the gun to compress powder. My accuracy load is 33 grains, and will hold 3 cylinders in about 6" at 25 yards if I do my part. These old ancient technology clunkers we enjoy are quite accurate if you find what they like and treat them right. Best group I have ever shot with a handgun was out of an open top colt clone in .44.

Thanks and great info on the Olde E. Never touched any of that off but I hear nothing but good things about it.