1860 army .44 colt cylinder?

[jason41987]

i would like to find an 1860 army cylinder in .44 colt, or some variation of .44 special, 44 russian, etc... does anyone know of any i can purchase, or what it would take to fabricate one?... the intention is to use a back plate with a loading gate, for an early transitional type conversion

[Bonnie_blue1861]

Are you inferring that you want to custom lathe down a standard BP cylinder (down in the back/removing the nipples) and then fabricate your own backing plate like Kirst sells?

[jason41987]

no, id buy the backing plate that kirst sells, but just have a 44 caliber cylinder bored through, then machined out to take .44 colt cartridges, which i intend to make starting with .44 special brass cut down, and find some way to make a heel around .451" cast lead bullets

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

no, id buy the backing plate that kirst sells, but just have a 44 caliber cylinder bored through, then machined out to take .44 colt cartridges, which i intend to make starting with .44 special brass cut down, and find some way to make a heel around .451" cast lead bullets

This topic has been well covered and there is plenty of information.  Here is my search result;

http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php?action=search2

Heel bullets are available from several mould suppliers, as well as pre-cast.

http://www.neihandtools.com/catalog.html

http://www.oldwestbulletmoulds.com/    

Old West can also supply the collet crimp set-up for loading heeled bullets.  Look around in cascity and there are several threads with lots of pictures, mostly from "hoof hearted".  Hoof hearted or "Raven" also might be able to direct you to a complete Kirst conversion cylinder in  .44 Colt.  

[Bonnie_blue1861]

Yep...I'm a new cowpoke around here but quickly learned that the SEARCH engine works pretty good.

These guys and gals have covered many topics that I've been pondering, especially as it relates to cartridge conversions. Jason41987...I was thinking about doing a similar project like you brought up. Thee are some good people here to guide you in the right direction. Many of these guys have some serious talent..I only wish I had some of those gunsmithing skills (and tools).