.45 1873 and .45 USFA

[Steve S.]

     Was shooting 250 grain LFN over 8.5 grains of Unique; in the Miroku rifle, very mild recoil - in the USFA (7.5" barrel), a very stout load - recoil was on par with magnum handguns I have shot in the past (very sharp with lots of snap) but the load combo was very accurate. I have never used BP in either gun - is the recoil profile about the same?

[wildman1]

No. wM1

[OD#3]

No.  I wonder how long it has been since you've shot a .44 magnum.  The recoil profile with BP approaches that of a .44 magnum--if you're using a compressed 40 grain load.  7.5 grains Unique is quite mild by comparison.  I don't notice much of a difference with the rifle, but a heavy BP load will recoil MUCH more with the revolver.  It will also give much higher velocities.  I usually get between 950 to 1,000 f.p.s. with a 40 grain BP load in the revolver, and more consistent velocities as well.   7.5 grains of Unique doesn't compare--recoil or velocity-wise.  Oddly enough, despite the wide velocity readings I get with Unique, .45 Colt loads using it are usually quite accurate.  I've used 8.5 grains Unique in the past to achieve very accurate revolver loads, even though they did vary quite a bit in the velocity department (that .45 Colt case is just too cavernous for consistent velocities using Unique).

[Steve S.]

     OD#3, thanks for the overview; as a correction, I shot/ shoot 8.5 grains of Unique and it has been a long time since I have shot either a.44 or .357 magnum.handgun - I am also a much older person so my recollection may be way off and I know that my tolerance for recoil has deminished. Anyway, the jolt from my USFA just surprised me and to learn that PB is even more violent is good to know. I will say this, I very much enjoy shooting both guns - I own some new design stuff but the old design stuff is classic enjoyment. Thanks.