BP Revolver Chronography

[ttocswob]

I had interesting results from my Pietta “1851 Navy†.44 caliber, 7-1/2" barrel, yesterday afternoon.

I loaded and fired six rounds of each load: 24 grain and 27 grain loads of Pyrodex P (FFFg); 27 grains of Pyrodex RS (FFg); and 24 grains of Goex FFFg. All loads are volume equivalent using .38 Special and .357 Magnum cases to measure 24g and 27g loads respectively. All used a .454 caliber cast lead round ball, 140 grain, unpatched. Velocity data (FPS) was taken from my ProChrono Digital Chronograph at approximately 10’ from muzzle.

24g P|27g P|27g RS|24g Goex FFFg

1 | 642 | 786 | 895 | 833

2 | 694 | 864 | 955 | 815

3 | 562 | 799 | 926 | 841

4 | 637 | 798 | 891 | 835

5 | 612 | 778 | 949 | 820

6 | 559 | 733 | 920 | 834

______________________

A | 618 | 793 | 923 | 830 - Average

S | 51.7 | 42.4 | 26.6 | 9.9 - Standard Deviation

I jumped straight to the 27 grain load for the Pyrodex RS powder, on the assumption that it would be less efficient than Pyrodex P in the revolver. Boy, was I wrong! In fact, two of the rounds (guess which two!) dislodged the ramrod from its latch underneath the muzzle, and had me checking for possible damage before proceeding to the next round.

The Pyrodex P was stored in a brass powder dropper, while the other powders were fresh from the can. I have no other explanation for the inconsistent and relatively anemic performance of the supposed black powder equivalent.

The Goex FFFg appears to be both potent and remarkably consistent. Guess you get what you pay for. I know now which load to carry during muzzleloader season.

IMHO,YMMV,IANAL,YADAYADAYADA

Edited July 12, 2011 by ttocswob
corrected bullet info

[Guest TnRebel]

Thanks for the great report ... Thumbs up

[Dolomite_supafly]

And from what I have been told and observed is the substitute tends to be more corrosive than black powder itself. Blackpowder itself tends to be easier to clean as well from what I have been told.

I have a very limited experience with blackpowder but in most of my observations blackpowder is better than the substitute in most cases.

Dolomite

[Guest TnRebel]

I do re-enactments and we can only use "Black Powder" and as we use blanks we add cream of wheat on top of the powder to add more smoke , when I'm done I take my 1861 Army 44 all the way down and I have an old tin wash tub ( a 12" one ) and put all my parts ( Not the wood grips ) in to boil for 20 min. and it gets all the crud off , then I dry it in the oven @ 300 for 15 min and let cool and oil it all down and add berring greese to the cylinder stud and the locking cam. Some times I add Dawn dish deturgent to the hot water if I havent cleaned it in a few days after an event.

Edited July 11, 2011 by TnRebel

[ttocswob]

Made a couple of minor edits to the OP - that's what I get for relying on memory.

[Guest TnRebel]

Made a couple of minor edits to the OP - that's what I get for relying on memory.

Wate tell you get to my age ... it don't get no better LOL