How big a load?

Knarley Bob · April 08, 2009, 05:30:37 PM

What would be a good load for SASS shooting as far as a powder charge. Yup I'm talkin' con-convertied, smoke powder.
Thanks,
Knarley

Pettifogger · April 08, 2009, 06:45:06 PM

Caliber, gun type (revolver, rifle) etc. And explain what this is supposed to mean? "Yup I'm talkin' con-convertied, smoke powder."

Knarley Bob · April 08, 2009, 07:51:43 PM

Sorry 'bout that.....Cal. .44, non converted=not catrage, Smoke powder.... usually FFF Goex black, or American Pioneer.
Pietta 1851&1860 Colts... and a '47 Walker by Uberti. Have been looking in an old "Lyman" black powder handbook from the late '70s but those loads seem a bit stiff.... 19 to 37 gr.with a 138rg round ball, would be good for combat, but on the range?
Knarley

Pettifogger · April 08, 2009, 08:21:19 PM

On a .44 with a rebated cylinder, like on the 1860 Army I don't think 37 grains would fit. For a good comfortable CAS load use around 25 grains by VOLUME equivalent of real BP or APP. For 777 go with 20 grains VOLUME equivalent. With only 19 grains in a .44, the rammer might not seat the ball on the powder, that is an awful light load for a round ball.

Sir Charles deMouton-Black · April 08, 2009, 08:27:32 PM

I agree with 25 grains of 3F Goex, but it could go up to about 28 -29 grains, by powder measure. They are still easy to shoot at that level.

FWIW; I have a Pietta Remington that threw flyers all over the place until the load approached 30 grains. .44 Remmies can take a bit more than Colt .44s.

Fingers McGee · April 08, 2009, 11:01:36 PM

Quote from: Pettifogger on April 08, 2009, 08:21:19 PM
On a .44 with a rebated cylinder, like on the 1860 Army I don't think 37 grains would fit. For a good comfortable CAS load use around 25 grains by VOLUME equivalent of real BP or APP. For 777 go with 20 grains VOLUME equivalent. With only 19 grains in a .44, the rammer might not seat the ball on the powder, that is an awful light load for a round ball.

+1 My normal .44 cal load in 1851s & 1860s is 24 gr fffg, wad, round ball.

Knarley Bob · April 09, 2009, 07:12:03 PM

25 FFFg , I can do that

Thanks guys,
Knarley

Fingers McGee · April 10, 2009, 12:00:18 PM

Quote from: Fingers McGee on April 08, 2009, 11:01:36 PM
+1 My normal .44 cal load in 1851s & 1860s is 24 gr fffg (cause that's what size the spout is), wad, round ball.