Shooting cowboy loads in a converted 1858?

[chute2thrill]

I just purchased a 1858 Remington and I am planning to get the Howells conversion cylinder for it.. This is my first blackpowder pistol. I know the obvious, like don't use smokeless ammunition in a blackpowder firearm, but I've also read about people using cowboy action loads in them.. Don't they use smokeless powder for those? I know theres a difference between the blackpowder cartridges and the regular cowboy loads. But my main question is it safe to use smokeless cowboy loads in a steel frame 1858?

 

[nalioth]

Yes, they use smokeless powder.

Yes, they're safe for "older" or "less strong" guns, as they're only loaded to late-1800s-levels (that's why they're called "cowboy loads").

Many of us here run "cowboy loads" in our BP conversions.

 

[chute2thrill]

Thanks. I was really hoping that was the case because the blackpowder cartridges are a little too expensive for my taste..

 

[Burt Blade]

"Cowboy" loads are generally reduced velocity, reduced weight loads. If you handload them, or buy them from a reloader, use the softest lead alloy you can obtain. The resulting bullets will better seal to the bore, reducing leading of the bore.

Remingtons were made for 148 grain roundball, so the lighter .45 colt bullets work best, usually 180-200 grains. But almost any standard "cowboy" ammunition will work.

Needless to say, never use the modern "hot" loads, especially the maxed-out loads from Cor-Bon or Buffalo Bore.

 

[scrat]

If your handloading and want to use smokeless. Trail Boss is the best powder to use. It fills up the case with the least amount of powder. This results in a mild cowboy action load with great results

 

[rcflint]

conversion

The pressure is handled by the 4140/4150 steel of the cylinder. As long as the forcing cone of the barrel is decent, the cap & ball gun can handle the "Cowboy" loads. I use Hogdon's Cowboy loads from their book or website.

Most of my conversions, Remington and Colt have never fired a black powder load, and are several years old without damage. If I want to shoot black powder, I usually shoot with the cap & ball cylinder.

A Remington is particularly prone to black powder fouling, and a cartridge load is faster fouling than the cap & ball load, probably because the higher pressure drives the fouling deeper into the cylinder pin axis, etc.