Video - Round ball vs Conical performance series Part 1

[duelist1954]

This is part 1 of a three part series comparing the performance characteristics of various projectiles shot from a Colt style 1860 Army cap and ball revolver. In this series we will measure the accuracy, velocity and muzzle energy and penetration of round ball versus conical bullets. Part 1 will consist of the round ball performance test.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGzAuC3O3HM

 

[mykeal]

Interesting stuff. Thanks for doing this.

Can you publish the chronograph statistics?

 

[AbitNutz]

This something I should be testing as well with my ROA. I can use 40gr under a 220gr BigLube, both solid and Hollow point.
I have a CED chronograph and at one time posted a pic of a 25 yard 6 shot group that was extremely tight.
I just don't shoot RB anymore.

Thanks for the great video!

 

[Pulp]

You might consider posting this over on The Box o' Truth forum.

9 jugs, that's some serious stuff! Looking forward to the video.

 

[duelist1954]

Mykeal,

As I said I only shot 4-shot strings...now what I would do if I was running a Lean 6 Sigma project, but enough to judge the relative merits of each projectile.

RB:
886.8
853.9
875.8
913.6

220-gr conical

726.1
674.5
706.1
766.1


240-gr conical

737.5
752.6
670.3
739.5

 

[Stantdm]

Informative video. I shoot RBs exclusively and appreciated the information.

 

[arcticap]

RB:
886.8
853.9
875.8
913.6

220-gr conical

726.1
674.5
706.1
766.1


240-gr conical

737.5
752.6
670.3
739.5

All of those numbers would seem to indicate that the Chrony survived!

 

[Ryden]

That's very interesting!
Not only do they indicate that the chrony survived, but that the RB have the most consistent velocities and so should be the most accurate from this perspective.

They also seem to indicate that the 240gr bullet are faster than the 220gr one, but the difference are much to small vs STD to draw anything conclusive of that data.

RB
---
Avg 882.53
STD 21.50

220 gr Conical
---
Avg 718.20
STD 33.21

240 gr SWC
---
Avg 724.98
STD 32.09

 

[duelist1954]

Ryden, I'm not surprised about the slightly higher velocity from the heavier slugs. I see the same thing in .44 Russian B-P cartridges when going from 200-grain to 240-grain bullets. I think the additional weight resistance raises pressures and velocity.

 

[michaelbsc]

In the video you said you cast the 225 gr conicals. What mold do you use?

 

[frontiergander]

round balls bounce off 2x4's. Believe me, i found out the hard way. I highly doubt the conicals will do that.

 

[duelist1954]

I use a Lee Precision MOLD D C 456-220-1R

 

[Ryden]

Ryden, I'm not surprised about the slightly higher velocity from the heavier slugs. I see the same thing in .44 Russian B-P cartridges when going from 200-grain to 240-grain bullets. I think the additional weight resistance raises pressures and velocity.

You might certainly have a point there, but the difference is only 20% of the standard deviation. Four shots is just not enough of a sample.

It would be very interesting to see a graph of velocity vs weight over the whole span from 100 to 300 gr.