Conicals in a Plains Pistol

[jtmattison]

I know I have seen posts on here about folks shooting conicals out of their Lyman Plains Pistols but I can't seem to find them.

How many of you shoot conicals out of your Plains Pistol, what conicals do you shoot, and how well do they perform?

Lyman recommends NOT using conicals because they could slip forward of the powder charge. I emailed them to see if this was the only reason or if there was another safety concern shooting heavy bullets from the pistol.

All input will be appreciated.

Thanks,

HD

 

[murph]

Hd great question,i was thinking about that last night.I have a new plains pistol and would like to know myself.Look forward to the input from you folks.
Murf, :hatsoff:

 

[Pittsburghunter]

I will admit I have tried some conicals (355g maxihunter and 370g maxiball).

Both of these projectiles keyholed the target as did a 240g XTP in a sabot. I think a light ballet would do ok though.

I figured if you just boost the charge up towards 50g with the roundball you will have one potent handgun anyways and not need the conical.

Let the flaming begin :yakyak:

 

[murph]

Sound's good to me,murf :thumbsup:

 

[jtmattison]

Here is what I got from Lyman Customer Service via email:

Other than the issue of the conical moving in the barrel, heavy conicals may not be very accurate. The length of the barrel would prevent the conical from reaching the same velocity as what would be gained from a rifle length barrel. This would not put as much "spin" on the bullet and it may not be stabalized in flight. If conicals are used, lighter weight bullets would be the better choice.


I did see in my Lyman Black Powder Manual that fadala tested Ball-ets in the plains pistol.

I think I will give them a try. :hatsoff:

HD

 

[Pittsburghunter]

There you go. I know a light one will work.

 

[mec]

I had perfect luck with a 250 grain Lee REAL bullet in the Plains pistol. Also got good accuracy with one of the Hornady bullets the weigh a bit over 300 grains.
The lee bullet is quite stable as can be seen in the picture in this post:[url] http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=206282&highlight=lyman+plains+pistol[/url]

It hits to approximately the same point of impact as a .490" ball over the same charge. It is possible to find both:
1. Loading data in the Lyman handbooks for these bullets, and;
2 warnings against using any sort of bullet in the plains pistol.
contridictory recommendations from basically the same source.

The issue is gravity I suppose. the same bullets are routinely used in rifles and present a bore obstruction hazard if they walk forward of the powder column. I guess they figure this forward motion is more likely in a pistol that is habitually carried muzzle down. When experimenting with them, I seated the bullets and then lightly thumped the muzzle a few times on the shoot ing bench. no movement detected.

 

[Bear Rider]

At one time I had a source for a .54 wad cutter that was used in the Sharps percussion. It looked like a trash can. When loaded with a precut patch, that cylinder of lead shot quite well out to 50 yards in my plains pistol. The recoil was quite stout to say the least.

 

[jtmattison]

What Lyman manual has Lee REAL's in it?

HD

 

[mec]

" for these bullets, and;"

Now that you mention it, it might not have been the lee bullet but it was circa 250 grain conical of some sort. Possibly buffalo.

 

[flaming canvas]

All input will be appreciated.

Thanks,

HD

My input:

Buy a couple of replacement stocks if you plan to make this a regular habit.

Roger

 

[jtmattison]

My input:

Buy a couple of replacement stocks if you plan to make this a regular habit.

Roger

Do you really think that will be needed if I am shooting a 300 grain conical instead of a 230 grain patched roundball?

I don't think the recoil would be that bad.

HD

 

[mec]

I haven't shot any great number of these conical loads but have done them over 40 grains and the equivalent (50 caliber). Some people get away with the bullets and even heavier powder charges but others experience cracked stocks. for most shooting, I stick with round ball and 30 grains of Goex 3f, 30 grains equivalent of Pyrodex P or 20 grains equivalent of H777. All are very accurate.

 

[WI Smoke]

I tried 405 grn minnies out of my .54 and they spray all over. The recoil was kind of intence. that was on top of 40 grns American Pioneer Powder.
WI

 

[Pittsburghunter]

As I stated earlier I think a heavy powder charge under a good patch and ball may be best for this weapon. Lighter conicals will shoot in it as well but again why bother? in .50 you have a load more devastating than a .357mag. What are you trying to improve on?

 

[WI Smoke]

If you plan on hunting with it you would want it as potent as possible. I want to try ball-ets out of my .54 Plains Pistol even if it only gives me a few more lbs of energy.
WI

 

[bibletotingunslinger]

Based on what I have read here in these forums I would be fearful of a cracked stock.
I personally I tried a couple 245 grain Buffalo Bullets and cracked the stock on my Kentucky Pistol. The recoil was considerable.
Based on what I have learned, mostly here, I would suggest going to a 54 cal. I hear nothing but good report about 54 cal pistols.

 

[Bolink654]

I have shot everything that Black Jack Hill carries, out of my .50 Plains Pistol. Including the 533grain REAL bullet over 40 grains. Reciol is indeed quite stout. But I've shot over 200 conicals over 40 grains of powder (pyrodex RS and Goex clear shot). Buffalo Ballets, Hornady Great Plains, Maxi-balls, Maxi-hunters, ect

No cracked stock yet. However, nothing matches the PRB for accuracy, but some come close. None have key-holed.