LaneP
Member
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.
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.