drop tubing revolver loads

[M. De Land]

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.

 

[Trev]

I'm thinking in .44 cal chambers a minimum of 5 to 8 grain increase should be attainable in model 58 Rems ...

I'm not sure I understand that, the chambers will still be the same size?
What are you thinking of as a total after that gain?

 

[russellshaffer]

Easier to just compress it? Fill it up and stomp it down.

 

[Trev]

Fill it up and stomp it down.

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.

 

[wiscoaster]

I think there's something to this, but probably only worth doing for competition.

 

[D Yager]

Why not try it with paper cartridges? Would be basically the same without all the fiddly stuff.

 

[French Colonial]

Drop tubing for BPCR guns works for sure, how long is your drop tube going to be for the pistol?

Let us know your findings.

 

[Bad Karma]

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 think the measure may factor into this as well. As long as we’re using volumetric measures from various sources made in different countries and times it introduces another variable.

 

[bpd303]

I'm going to do some drop tube loading through the barrel into each chamber

Works OK in a clean barrel but if it has some fouling or lube, unless the drop tube will reach the cylinders some powder will be stuck inside the bore.

 

[French Colonial]

Works OK in a clean barrel but if it has some fouling or lube, unless the drop tube will reach the cylinders some powder will be stuck inside the bore.

Yes, drop tube would need to be inserted through the barrel and probably just barely in the mouth of the chamber...

My opinion, I don't plan to try it.

When loading BPCR cartridges I held the case against the tapered bottom of the drop tube and dropped weighed charges.

 

[smoothshooter]

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.

I

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.

Seems that there is enough human error in shooting any handgun (offhand) that using or not using a drop tube for powder uniformity would not have any effect on accuracy.

 

[D Yager]

Agreed, being as consistent as possible in both loading and shooting is what effects the accuracy. Black powder is pretty forgiving as far as being off a few grains here or there.

 

[Tom A Hawk]

I use the drop tube when loading 45-60 and 45-70 BP rifle cartridges. For revolvers I think it is both unnecessary and historically incorrect. In my experience the single most significant element related to BP revolver accuracy is load compression. I aim to compress the bullet or ball or bullet just below the chamber mouth with uniform compression. Excessive compression will result in a higher than desired POI.

 

[M. De Land]

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.

Drop tubing removes air between grains of powder without crushing them as does compressing a charge. Also compression stratifies as the column becomes increasingly dense from grain fracture closer to the top. Drop tubing removes this density stratification in the powder column.
The result is more powder capacity, uniform burn rate hence consistency and accuracy improvement.
It's advantages is absolutely demonstrative in mid and long range match muzzle loader or cartridge black powder competition.
I use a 36 inch long by 1/2 inch diameter anodized aluminum drop tube for my 2.1 (45-70) match rifles.
Best load is 74 grains of Swiss behind a 510 grain grease groove bullet.
It very likely will add to revolver performance as well.

 

[M. De Land]

Works OK in a clean barrel but if it has some fouling or lube, unless the drop tube will reach the cylinders some powder will be stuck inside the bore.

Yeah, I've considered that and will wipe the bore before reloading. I'm just curious to see what happens.

 

[Trev]

Probably get more repeatable results if the loading is done with the cylinder of the gun, barrel stick won't be involved. I'd expect less dramatic increase in the cylinder than in a cartridge, due internal geometry, but it's a learning opportunity.