Maximum loads for 1858 Remington

[AlexB]

I like puns and almost always call those historical signs by the hwy Hysterical markers, I have a spare cylinder that I buggered up the threads on one of the nipples so its a 5 shot spare. Right now it has a single load of 15g of T7 3f and two .454 140.47g round ball compressed. will this stress anything other than the cylinder on my 1858?

You gonna hold it in your hand when you find out?

 

[45D]

I like puns and almost always call those historical signs by the hwy Hysterical markers, I have a spare cylinder that I buggered up the threads on one of the nipples so its a 5 shot spare. Right now it has a single load of 15g of T7 3f and two .454 140.47g round ball compressed. will this stress anything other than the cylinder on my 1858?

Hmmmmmm good question and I wish there were some good "pressure testing" numbers for these type loads in particular revolvers. I would think 15gr wouldn't be too heavy ( even for trip 7). Here's what I did years ago ( 1980's ) when I had NO info except what was listed in the tables. . . I would hold the cocked and ready to fire revolver above my head ( NO LOBOTOMY TODAY!!!!!) and fire a round ,then inspect the revolver. ( I was outside of course! They'd probably kick you out of an indoor range!!)
Just be careful and do a good inspection of top strap condition (bent up or down, or even if the barrel appears to have moved forward) probably wouldn't hurt to lightly chamfer some of an 11° f.c. just to allow an easy introduction of the projectile to the lands.

Let us know how it goes!

Mike

 

[rodwha]

when I looked at the chart of hysterical paper cartridges one of them was listed as a 260g with 19g powder....

According to research some of these paper cartridges with small powder loads were of 4F or finer powder to bring the velocity up, especially if it’s not a sporting grade powder like Hazards.

4F and finer powders have been found in metallic cartridges disassembled for display by our very own Curator, the curator of a museum.

It could also be the ammunition contractors shorted the powder charge, as I recently read was done with rifle paper cartridges during the unCivil War.

 

[nick_1]

Results are in and they are really fun. All shots free hand at a paced not measured 20yrds. all T7 3f. No Lube. 15g measured with an adjustable powder gauge. 20 and 25g measured directly from the spout.
The first shot with two .454rb and I pulled low due two expecting a big bang. Recoil was very minimal. less than regular single RB with 20g

next shot was 20g and poorly centered due to anticipated recoil. recoil felt to be less than 25g charge and conicals.

next two 20g shots nicely centered ,a bit high.

a final doubble shot was fired with my standard 25g revolver spout. recoil felt similar to 200g conical? perhaps the conical with wax lube has a better gas seal?

very unscientific test but I suspect if I practiced with this load and had the proper front sight it would be devastating. no clue why the first two shots were so tight? fist likly light powder charge and clean bore? 2nd was 20g t7 still clean bore? next two shots opened up quite a bit but still only 20g t7.
without cleaning I ran a semi rapid fire cylinder of 200g conicals through it. recoil felt at least as stiff as the 25g twin RB charge.

 

[nick_1]

the bad news is I took 4 shots with doubble RB and 20gt7 @ 25yrds. each shot I got one good hit and one very high right with two of the shots but two of the shots the 2nd ball was completly off the plywood. I still think this is a devastating load for close and dirty but not precise enough for my tastes..