[Scratchammo]

I can't find much info online so I figure I'll ask. I have two 1858s, one is an 8" & the other is 5-1/2". I don't have a chronograph & I'm trying to see what velocities I can get from the short barrel preferably with Lee conicals. So how much velocity am I losing with the short barrel?

[wmille01]

If it's not online sounds like you have an opportunity to get a chronograph and get to go to the range. I can tell you this, the long the barrel the more velocity of the bullet because the charge has more time to push it, so you are losing velocity with a shorter barrel but I don't imagine it's a major amount.

[orangello]

Originally Posted by wmille01

I can tell you this, the long the barrel the more velocity of the bullet because the charge has more time to push it, so you are losing velocity with a shorter barrel but I don't imagine it's a major amount.

I would think it would be a good bit of loss with slow-burning black powder (& substitutes).

I would be interested in your results.

[tiberius10721]

I own a 1858 remington with 8 inch barrel and I just purchased a chrony next time I go to an outdoor range ill post the results!

[cuate]

Mine is a brand new made by Pietta, in Italy. I just happen to have a five hole cylinder for .45Long Colt cartridges...It's a beautiful pistol with a 5 1/2 inch barrel and shoots on a par with my ability.

I am certain that round balls using black powder as the pistol was intended would not have the fps nor knockdown power as the .45 Long Colt. But that was not the question asked, excuse me for getting carried away with my new Five Shooter...

I'm rolling my own cartridges with 200 gr. lead, lubricated bullets and using
7.2 grs. of Bullseye smokeless gunpowder. Never use smokeless in a black powder pistol unless you have the proper cartridge cylinder !

Am reloading by hand with a Lyman 310 tool (pliers type) as it was done over a hundred years ago. This is not my first 1858 shooting ,45LCs...

My apology to the original post, I did not mean to swipe his post, I'll try to do better about that in the future...

[Scratchammo]

Originally Posted by tiberius10721

I own a 1858 remington with 8 inch barrel and I just purchased a chrony next time I go to an outdoor range ill post the results!

Awesome. I look forward to your results.

[Hawg]

Originally Posted by sixor12

in speed for black powder revolvers. Given a 140 gr .44 ball, that makes it about as "effective" as today's 147 gr 9mm Hydro shok, if such a jhp is given 900 or more fps, so it has a chance to expand in flesh. Which is of course to say, not very effective at all. Just because it was better than the .380 power levels of the .36 cap and ball doesn't make it much, guys. Sorry. Perhaps the rifle-rated black powder substitute from Hornady, triplex, or some such? will do better in a pistol?

That's with a 30 grain charge. You can get 1000-1100 fps with a 58. Comparing a JHP to a soft lead ball doesn't work. The ball will get much more expansion. It may not have the penetration but it will f*** you up.

[Hawg]

Originally Posted by sixor12

the 5.5" won't get over 800 fps with black powder. you are mistaken

No but the 8 inch will.

[Hawg]

Originally Posted by sixor12

but not 1100 fps, that part is a bogus, misleading claim.

Not with 40 grains of powder. I don't think it's misleading.

[jpattersonnh]

I load 200 gr round ball and 160gr conical over 40gr Pyrodex. You can watch the roundball through the smoke ring. Moves pretty slow, but does allot of damage to metal coffee cans filled w/ water. Tares them up something nasty.
I use the 160's in my .44-40 Rifle for plinking also.