original .44 Henry ballistics in the .44 Special using BP

[w44wcf]

According to the 1875 Winchester catalog, the velocity of the .44 Henry was "about 1,125 f.p.s." with a 200 gr. bullet.

A dissected .44 Henry cartridge had .08" of powder compression on the 28 gr. powder charge.

So, I tried 28 grs. by weight of different black powders in the .44 Special case to see what powder whose density would give a simiilar compression rate using a 200 gr. bullet from a 44 WCF mold which has a seating depth of .34".  The MAV-D "Big Lube" as the same .34" seating depth.

I found that, interestingly, a settled charge of 28 grs. by weight of the SWISS b.p.'s gave a very similar compression rate as the original 44 Henry cartridge at a bullet seating depth of .34" in a W-W headstamped .44 Special case.

In testing, I found that none of the 28 gr. charges were "spot on" the "about 1,125 f.p.s." ........     

average velocities - 3 rounds each - 24" barrel
Swiss 1F...... - 1,101 f.p.s.   
Swiss 1 1/2F - 1,171 f.p.s.   
Swiss 2F...... - 1,206 f.p.s.
Swiss 3F...... - 1,246 f.p.s.

The new lot of KIK would require quite a bit more compression. I'll test that next and post the results.

Based on some interpolation of the results of using using 40 grs of Swiss 3F in the 44-40 and 28 grs of Swiss 3F in the 44 Special, 23 grs. of Swiss 3F in the .44 Russian just may replicate the original .44 Henry ballistically.......

w44wcf

[w44wcf]

I had a chance recently to test some additional black powders in 28 gr charges by weight with a 200 gr bullet.

Here are the results:

Diamondback 3F - 1,030 f.p.s.
Schuetzen 3F... - 1,115 f.p.s.
KIK 3F ............ - 1,160 f.p.s.

Schuetzen 3F comes closest to the original .44 Henry velocity of 1,125 f.p.s. with the original charge weight. 

Of the 3, KIK definitely produces the least amount of fouling....simiilar to the early black powders.
Diamondback produced the most fouling and its ballistic strength is the lowest.

w44wcf

[Fox Creek Kid]

...23 grs. of Swiss 3F in the .44 Russian just may replicate the original .44 Henry ballistically...

About 2001 or 2002 I had a buddy who had some old balloon head .44 Special cases that we trimmed down to .44 Russian length (0.97"). I loaded them with 23 gr. FFFg and shot them in an Uberti '72 OT. Firstly, several cases split due to age. Secondly, I could not tell any difference between the usual 19 or 20 gr. I loaded and the 23 in these ctgs. I once drop tubed slowly 23 gr. of FFFg in some modern .44 Russian cases and shot them as well. Because there was so much compression the accuracy was all over the place, no doubt caused by the compression turning FFFg into FFFFg or smaller.

That was why I was so keen on Mako's prototype Henry bullet that had more of the bullet hanging out front & less in the case. This was accomplished by the Dakota Widowmaker bullet in the 56-50 Spencer allowing 45 gr. of FFG to be drop tubed slowly in a modern solid head Starline case.