Warthog Black Powder loads

Noz · October 13, 2009, 03:50:32 PM

We of the Darkside, Soot Lord persuasion pride our selves on the thunderous roar, clouds of smoke and belching flame from our revolvers.

But are you aware that a fully loaded 44, whether it be 1860 or 1858, will have virtually the same ballistics as a 38 Special?

The Walkers, with the 60 gr load get up around hot 44 Special.

Kinda makes you want to hide your head in shame.

Wolfgang · October 13, 2009, 05:33:32 PM

WHAT ?

Shame ?

You should be expelled from being a WARTHOG . . . . NO real WARTHOG hangs his head in shame !

A real WARTHOG must be proud that his black powder shooter is equal to then heathen .38s and .44s

Pulp · October 13, 2009, 08:26:56 PM

Numbers supposedly don't lie, but didn't Elmer Kieth once say, "The killing power of a .36 Navy is far beyond what it says on paper" or something to that effect?

madcratebuilder · October 13, 2009, 08:52:52 PM

I know this is blasphemy, but you really need to try 60grs of Triple 7 in a walker, it's a hoot.

Noz · October 14, 2009, 10:17:03 AM

A fully loaded Walker (with real powder, not subs) was the most powerful handgun in North America until the advent of the 357 Mag. Some say that there are ballistical examples of 44 loads that exceed 357 and knock on the door of the 44 Mag. I would say 60 grs of 777 would approach the 44 mag. That should be about 20% hotter than the standard Black Powder Walker load. I'm not real sure I'd like to put that kind of a load in my guns.

Montana Slim · October 14, 2009, 07:15:28 PM

Quote from: Noz on October 13, 2009, 03:50:32 PM
But are you aware that a fully loaded 44, whether it be 1860 or 1858, will have virtually the same ballistics as a 38 Special?

Tee-Hee....now, if we could find more shooters running loads as HOT as a factory .38 special...whether shooting .38s or even .45s

Regards,
Slim

Dr. Bob · October 14, 2009, 11:13:14 PM

Slim,

Bee careful, ya might get yerself a case of eye strain!

Deadguy · October 15, 2009, 05:41:36 AM

Quote from: Noz on October 13, 2009, 03:50:32 PM
We of the Darkside, Soot Lord persuasion pride our selves on the thunderous roar, clouds of smoke and belching flame from our revolvers.

But are you aware that a fully loaded 44, whether it be 1860 or 1858, will have virtually the same ballistics as a 38 Special?

The Walkers, with the 60 gr load get up around hot 44 Special.

Kinda makes you want to hide your head in shame.

Those numbers are only true when using round balls! Use a 200+ grain bullet, and those .44's, especially the Walker, increase in power quite a bit.

litl rooster · October 15, 2009, 06:51:05 AM

Quote from: Montana Slim on October 14, 2009, 07:15:28 PM
Tee-Hee....now, if we could find more shooters running loads as HOT as a factory .38 special...whether shooting .38s or even .45s

Regards,
Slim

becareful on what you wish for.........

will52100 · October 19, 2009, 08:22:59 PM

I'm with you Deadguy, I now mostly shoot conicles, realy like the lee's, they are plenty accuate and fit my uberties just rite. My normal load for the walker is 50 grains of 3f and a 200 grain conicle. Anybody have the numbers on that? I know there's a differance in performance from the front stuffer compared to cartrige revolvers, like no crimp and gass leak at the nipple, but it should be pretty close to a light 45 colt loading, and equal or a bit hotter than a 44 special. Havne't chronoed that load so realy don't know. Do know there a hoot to shoot!

Driftwood Johnson · October 19, 2009, 11:24:52 PM

Howdy

In Mike Venturino'a book, Shooting Colt Single Actions, 60 grains of Goex FFFg behind a 148 grain round ball achieved 1171 fps.

Wildcat Will · October 20, 2009, 05:13:09 AM

I dunt know nuttin' 'bout no fancy books and stuff. What I do know is that filling a 45LC case to the rim with Goex FF and stuffin' a 250 gn booolet on top do make a heavenly roar!

will52100 · October 20, 2009, 07:36:53 AM

Heavenly Roar! I like that!

I did chrono a bunch of my cap and ball guns several years ago, I wrote the results down somewhere, can't remember where now. Seems like the walker with round ball was rite at 1200 FPS with 60 grains of 3f powder. That's a mighty potent load. Especialy when you remember that it's a pure lead projectile that isn't likely to exit what ever you shoot. Though it's all theory to me as I haven't hunted or anything with the walker. The navies I tested were what surprised me, with 3f graf's they were rite at 1000FPS, and 1150ish with swiss 3f.

I'll have to see if I can find the results, or maybe do anouther test. Any excuss to break them out and make a little smoke is a good reason!

Capt. Texas Elliot · October 29, 2009, 07:18:04 PM

Well, I'm not a Warthog yet

Was feeling very unhappy with smokeless loads in my '75 Remingtons so I loaded up some .357 cases with blackpowder and compressed it with the bullet. Nice crunching sound.

Lots of boom, lots of smoke and everyone turned for a look to see what the hell I was shooting.

It has scratched the itch until I can afford a pair of C&B's in .44.

fourfingersofdeath · October 30, 2009, 04:01:40 AM

Quote from: Capt. Texas Elliot on October 29, 2009, 07:18:04 PM
Well, I'm not a Warthog yet

Was feeling very unhappy with smokeless loads in my '75 Remingtons so I loaded up some .357 cases with blackpowder and compressed it with the bullet. Nice crunching sound.

Lots of boom, lots of smoke and everyone turned for a look to see what the hell I was shooting.

It has scratched the itch until I can afford a pair of C&B's in .44.

As someone mentioned earlier, the fact that they shot a pure lead ball or boolit helped them punch way above their weight.

I saw a guy at one of the shoots letting rip with his sixguns and carbine, making a fearful roar and lots of smoke and flame. I thought he was shootin 44s or similar and spoke to him. Turns out her travels overseas a lot and finds that 38s allow him to carry enought loaded ammo for his shooting. If he was to take his big bores, his ammo weighted more than he was allowed. Sounded good for 38s though.

john boy · October 30, 2009, 07:14:08 PM

QuoteBut are you aware that a fully loaded 44, whether it be 1860 or 1858, will have virtually the same ballistics as a 38 Special?

Noz, my man, ya had to go to the loading data tables and let the cat out of the bag!

Now, a lot of 38 shooters will be coming to the WartHog Honor Roll wanting to be a WartHog. But unless they can beagle them little bullets up to a number starting with a '4' - their still not WartHogs

Ned Pepper GB · October 31, 2009, 03:07:59 PM

Well my Ruger Old Army loaded with 30 grains fffg using DD's Big Lube bullet at about 220 grains reaches in excess of 800 fps.

Not 38 special ballistics more like 45 acp or 44 special !!

Ned

Raider2000 · November 01, 2009, 07:20:14 PM

Well I guess y-all can call me a Worthawg then.

I reamed the chambers on my Pietta NMA w/ 5.5" barrel from the .4465 to .4510 to match the .4495 grove in the barrel & with the other work I've done to it she has become the conical launching Lil Cannon that I've come to love.

My normal load in my custom Pietta NMA w/ 5.5" barrel is 30gr. FFFG Goex & a 220gr. .456 Lee conical for an average ballistics of 718fps. & 251ft. lbs., not exactly magnum power but is what a .45 S&W Schofield would produce & approaching what a .45 ACP ball load is capable of.

I love how she let's you know that she's there when you touch off the trigger & the smell just puts a huge grin on my mug & some of the guys in the rifle range sometimes come up to the pistol range to see what kind of artillery piece I launching off up there.
A few guys at the range only tried her once & handed her back preferring their lil 9mm & .38's over something that give you a little love nudge.

So yes if that gives me the title Worthawg then I'll wear that badge with honor.