robinsroost
50 Cal.
I have acquired one of those .44 caliber 1851 Navy revolvers with a brass frame. What would a safe load be that would not stretch the frame? Inquiring minds want to know. Thanks in advance...”¦...robin :hmm:
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Load for a .44 cal 1851 Navy
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The general consensus seems to be that a load of around 75% of the usual 30gr or so would help prolong the safe working life of your brass-framed .44. However, bearing in mind that the Remington has a solid frame and is built like a brick outhouse, the time when you, as an average shooter, can expect to see signs of stretching probably falls outside your natural lifespan.
My buddy Alan is still shooting his brass-framed 'Colt' Navy in .44cal that I sold him back in 1984. With 25gr of T7. It is still about as tight as I remember it back then.
Remember that in general we as shooters are not trying to alter the landscape behind the target, just to shoot accurately and comfortably, something that is easy to do with around 25gr of whatever - somewhat less for Swiss schtuff, though.
tac
My buddy Alan is still shooting his brass-framed 'Colt' Navy in .44cal that I sold him back in 1984. With 25gr of T7. It is still about as tight as I remember it back then.
Remember that in general we as shooters are not trying to alter the landscape behind the target, just to shoot accurately and comfortably, something that is easy to do with around 25gr of whatever - somewhat less for Swiss schtuff, though.
tac
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I have a friend that has a brass frame 36 cal that he has shot full power loads in for yrs an his is still going strong. I would shoot it an not worry bout it.
I have a brass framed revolver I p/u from a friend and the frame is real loose. He shot full power loads.
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Anyone checked the chemistry on their brass frames?
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Why would we do that?
And then, HOW do we do that?
And what are we trying to prove by doing so?
tac
And then, HOW do we do that?
And what are we trying to prove by doing so?
tac
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Different alloys of "brass" have significant differences in strength. Gets me curious about what the replica makers might be using.
To check the chemistry, I'm frequently around people using x-ray refraction portable test units. Got one brass frame Pietta that maybe could get tested. But just because it's a "gun" part could be a deal breaker because of where the activities would take place.
To check the chemistry, I'm frequently around people using x-ray refraction portable test units. Got one brass frame Pietta that maybe could get tested. But just because it's a "gun" part could be a deal breaker because of where the activities would take place.
I like 20 grains 3Fg in mine.
I also did a test, and I've found that one out of the 6 chambers is always a little out of the pattern when firing from a sand-bagged rest, SO, since I set mine up for CAS, and you only load 5 cylinders, I pulled the nipple from the "off cylinder" and use that as the safe/rest area for the hammer when competing.
LD
I also did a test, and I've found that one out of the 6 chambers is always a little out of the pattern when firing from a sand-bagged rest, SO, since I set mine up for CAS, and you only load 5 cylinders, I pulled the nipple from the "off cylinder" and use that as the safe/rest area for the hammer when competing.
LD
robinsroost
50 Cal.
Thanks for the thoughtful replies. I think I will settle on 20 grains of 3Fg. If I want to shoot full power loads, I will use my stainless 1858 new army. robin :hmm:
I’d be interested to know about that, too. Knowing the composition of current brass frames would be the first step in determining its tensile, compressive and shear strength relative to the steel currently used.
I have heard that there is a significant amount of copper added to the brass as an alloy and nickel too, but I don’t know that as a fact. The Confederates called the brass they used on pistol frames ’gun metal’ which was more of a bronze than a pure brass.
I only have one brasser, a 2017 [CS] Pietta Griswold .36 and keep the loads at 15-17 grains. If I knew that it was reasonable to use more powder I would use more, occasionally. For me, a range of loading options is part of the fun.
On that Griswold I keep an eye on the cylinder gap distance and on the recoil shield for signs of peining/imprinting.
I have heard that there is a significant amount of copper added to the brass as an alloy and nickel too, but I don’t know that as a fact. The Confederates called the brass they used on pistol frames ’gun metal’ which was more of a bronze than a pure brass.
I only have one brasser, a 2017 [CS] Pietta Griswold .36 and keep the loads at 15-17 grains. If I knew that it was reasonable to use more powder I would use more, occasionally. For me, a range of loading options is part of the fun.
On that Griswold I keep an eye on the cylinder gap distance and on the recoil shield for signs of peining/imprinting.
The manual for my Pietta brass .44 Navy from Traditions recommends 24 gr of fffg and a .451 ball. I also habitually use Wonder Wads with great success.
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