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  1. C

    Arrows vs bullets

    Why wasn’t arrows used instead of bullets for small black powder handguns with short barrels? At low velocities arrows use its energy much more efficient than roundballs does, and I imagine a front heavy arrow with a hollow base would be more accurate too? A expandable broad head could have a...
    • cal.45
    • Thread
    • arrow gun arrows bullets gun shooting arrow roundball
    • Replies: 7
    • Forum: Handguns
  2. C

    Should the powder charge be equivalent to the caliber?

    Great! Looking forward to see the numbers. Found this video, from 9:00 in the video he shoot watermelons with a Philadelphia Derringer. A 15 grain load did penetrate the water melon all way through, but 30 grains blew it up. I also found this test Educational Zone #66 - Shooting a Black Powder...
  3. C

    Should the powder charge be equivalent to the caliber?

    Do you still have the Philadelphia Derringer? It would be interesting to see velocity numbers for different loads in the Philadelphia Derringer.
  4. C

    Should the powder charge be equivalent to the caliber?

    20 grains and significant recoil, 45 grains and mild recoil. How come pistols differ in recoil like that? Is it only a matter of the weight of the gun? What’s the weight of your guns?
  5. C

    Should the powder charge be equivalent to the caliber?

    I will use it for plinking but will keep it loaded for self defence, doesn’t hurt having an extra pistol around. Beside from the bullet itself, the unburnt powder from a heavier charge might serve a purpose in a self defence scenario?
  6. C

    Is the pan shaped to direct away the blast from the venthole?

    I’ve noticed that the pan (in flintlocks and other similar sidelocks) is shaped with a guard towards the rear, is that made on purpose to direct away the blast from the venthole?
  7. C

    Should the powder charge be equivalent to the caliber?

    I’ve shot a .44 cap and ball revolver with a 3” barrel but the cylinder add another 1-1.5” to the barrel length. The maximum charge is about 35 grains when compressed, using FFFg you can hear the difference between 25 and 35 grains when it hits a steel target. 15 grains seem to be a very small...
  8. C

    Should the powder charge be equivalent to the caliber?

    I’ve heard that pistols/revolvers should be loaded with grains equivalent to roundball caliber for optimal performance, like 30 grains for a .30 cal, 45 grains for a .45 cal, etc. Is this true? I’m looking to buy a Philadelphia Derringer in .45, it has a 3” barrel. I’ve never shot a BP pistol...
    • cal.45
    • Thread
    • caliber derringer philadelphia powder charge roundball
    • Replies: 68
    • Forum: Handguns
  9. C

    Why wasn’t buckshot preferred over a roundball?

    The pistol was used for self defence at a short range, and with a short barrel and roundball it lacked accuracy. At a short range buckshot is effective and have a larger spread which make it easier to hit your target, and if you’re lucky you might hit multiple attackers at once. For a single...
    • cal.45
    • Thread
    • buckshot pistol roundball shotgun
    • Replies: 18
    • Forum: Handguns
  10. C

    Wall thickness and chamber pressure

    The thickness of the chambers seem to be approximately 0.019” at the thinnest spots. Which is very thin.. A muzzleloaded pistol or cap and ball revolver have much lower chamber pressure than modern smokeless guns, like .357 mag. But if you look at a modern revolver cylinder, the walls are still...
  11. C

    Wall thickness and chamber pressure

    I’ve seen old black powder revolvers with very thin cylinder wall thickness, like these cylinders for example: and this pepperbox has also resonable thin walls: Back in the days the quality of the steel was inferior, so it got me to wounder about the steels of today. What’s the minimum...
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