drop tubing revolver loads

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A shorter jump to the forcing cone and rifling. Theoretically this allows for greater accuracy. I’m not convinced of that personally but others are.
I can't see a shorter jump, less travel between ignition and forcing cone yes, but distance of jump is a constant, as built into the frame and barrel connection.
Reason that I asked though is because in my mind there is bug saying that over the given 25grns that an inch of travel inside the chamber would increase the velocity of barrel entry and allow a greater exit velocity, like making the barrel an inch longer, but truthfully, I'm not at all sure that bug in my brain knows anything.
 
A shorter jump to the forcing cone and rifling. Theoretically this allows for greater accuracy. I’m not convinced of that personally but others are. If, as is the case with some replicas, the chambers are tapered, I could see the point. In the case of guns like the Ruger and others in which the chamber is bored straight for the majority of its depth I can’t see how it would make a noticeable difference. Shoot a few target loads of .38 special in your best .357 magnum and report back…
Have played with it both ways and don't see any real difference in accuracy. And get excellent results from .38 specials in 357 revolvers,
 
A shorter jump to the forcing cone and rifling. Theoretically this allows for greater accuracy. I’m not convinced of that personally but others are. If, as is the case with some replicas, the chambers are tapered, I could see the point. In the case of guns like the Ruger and others in which the chamber is bored straight for the majority of its depth I can’t see how it would make a noticeable difference. Shoot a few target loads of .38 special in your best .357 magnum and report back…
I have seen some match percussion revolvers with shortened cylinders and the barrel set back to close up the gap to an exceptable width. I've not comparatively tested wither or not seating the ball out full length makes an accuracy difference to short seating but accuracy is very good using the method in conjunction with cream of wheat filler.
I prefer cream of wheat to corn meal because it is oil free and doesn't sponge compress like CM.
 
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I made up a small 4" brass tube with a small brass funnel on the end to help me get the loose powder into the cylinder's chambers, so I don't get spilled powder all over the gun - works well but the reloading is slow.:thumb:
 
I made up a small 4" brass tube with a small brass funnel on the end to help me get the loose powder into the cylinder's chambers, so I don't get spilled powder all over the gun - works well but the reloading is slow.:thumb:
The most accurate way is to build a drop tube stand that holds the cylinder chamber in line with the drop tube end. You need some real drop height to get a meaningful powder compactment. It can also be done with a vibrator to some extent but is not as effective as a 30-36 inch drop tube.
I went down to the local hardware store and bought a 3 foot long by 1/2 inch diameter tube of anodized aluminum and affixed a tapered internal diameter end coupling and removable funnel I made on the lathe to load .38 through .45 cal brass cases.
 

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Nice drop tube. I have made three different drop-tubes for rifle and pistol using K&S brass tubing and homemade brass funnels using sheet brass and one using a small aluminum funnel that I found somewhere that I don't remember. The aluminum funnel was epoxied on with JB Weld.
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Does black compress that much? ~7/16" for ball space isn't it?
I was reading through some older threads about how much a Remington can shoot and was astonished that so many can get 45+grn under a ball and wad in them. Mine must surely have a short cylinder because it won't hold all that.
I have a Uberti, a Pietta and a Dart '58 Remington. None will hold 45g plus 1/8 wad and .454 RB using Black Powder. Maybe you can compact down Pyrodex to get 45+g.
 
one thing I can promise you is that fancy method of loading is not going to increase my score shooting off hand.. If I load my pistol the same sloppy way I always do and give it to some national or world champion they are still going to smoke all of us..
 
one thing I can promise you is that fancy method of loading is not going to increase my score shooting off hand.. If I load my pistol the same sloppy way I always do and give it to some national or world champion they are still going to smoke all of us..
Yep, even a crappy gun will shoot better than me offhand.
 
The most important factor for pistol accuracy is ergonomics and trigger pull followed by sights. load inconstancy is a non issue as long as its not really wild. If your off by a few grains here and there its a non issue for most off hand pistol shooting.
 
I learned in loading black powder cartridges for mid range competition that drop tube charging not only allows more powder in each case but also causes uniformity of pressure and thus velocity resulting in improved accuracy.
I'm going to do some drop tube loading through the barrel into each chamber to see how much the powder capacity can be increased and also test for accuracy improvement.
I'm thinking in .44 cal chambers a minimum of 5 to 8 grain increase should be attainable in model 58 Rems and 60 Colts.. Might be able to get 60 grains behind conicals in the Walker.
Possibly you are on to something, I don’t really know. I’ve played with a drop tube in a 45 caliber fast twist rifle barrels shooting paperpatched conicals and started to see measurable accuracy improvements as distance approached 200 yards or so. What distance do you plan to test your revolvers at?

With revolvers I found reaming the cylinder chambers to match the depth of the rifling grooves +.001”/.002” gave the largest accuracy improvement, followed by getting the arbor length correct on open top guns. I never found maximum powder charges to give the best accuracy, but who knows. Guessing I’m not quite the bullseye pistol shooter you are and today find focusing on the sights my biggest issue. One of those born on date things. It will be interesting to hear about your results.
 
The most important factor for pistol accuracy is ergonomics and trigger pull followed by sights. load inconstancy is a non issue as long as its not really wild. If your off by a few grains here and there its a non issue for most off hand pistol shooting.
It's just in my nature to remove every exterior factor possible in load or gun so that accuracy is totally dependent on my foibles. I can totally live with missing if I can call the shot from sight alignment but what makes me crazy is when the sights do not register a bull and yet I hit it for I now am reduced to nothing but chance as all confidence leaves.
 
Possibly you are on to something, I don’t really know. I’ve played with a drop tube in a 45 caliber fast twist rifle barrels shooting paperpatched conicals and started to see measurable accuracy improvements as distance approached 200 yards or so. What distance do you plan to test your revolvers at?

With revolvers I found reaming the cylinder chambers to match the depth of the rifling grooves +.001”/.002” gave the largest accuracy improvement, followed by getting the arbor length correct on open top guns. I never found maximum powder charges to give the best accuracy, but who knows. Guessing I’m not quite the bullseye pistol shooter you are and today find focusing on the sights my biggest issue. One of those born on date things. It will be interesting to hear about your results.
Some years ago I milled out a V block scope attachment that will clamp to any round barrel. When I get out there in the yardage I will switch over to a 2-x extended eye relief scope.
 
A shorter jump to the forcing cone and rifling. Theoretically this allows for greater accuracy. I’m not convinced of that personally but others are. If, as is the case with some replicas, the chambers are tapered, I could see the point. In the case of guns like the Ruger and others in which the chamber is bored straight for the majority of its depth I can’t see how it would make a noticeable difference. Shoot a few target loads of .38 special in your best .357 magnum and report back…
I don't buy that jump stuff either. Look at 45acp in a revolver, looong jump. Ever seen or heard of an inaccurate one?
Personally, I think it's a matter of not being able to compress light charges properly.
 
I don't buy that jump stuff either. Look at 45acp in a revolver, looong jump. Ever seen or heard of an inaccurate one?
Personally, I think it's a matter of not being able to compress light charges properly.
Those M25’s are really something aren’t they?!
 


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