Rem 1858

[boker]

My booklet that came with the gun says 30grs black powder is the max load. I been seeing a lot of ppl claiming to load 40grs of 3f . Is this dangerous?

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

Stick with the manufacturer’s recommended charge. Do not overload the gun. Plus, lighter loads will be more accurate. Start with 15 grains and move up from there.

 

[TFoley]

I'm still trying to figure out how people actually get 40gr of powder into the chamber of a Remington Model 1858. A Walker, yes, easy, but a Remington? I can't get 40gr in a Ruger Old Army...

BTW, the usual load for a .44cal cap and ball revolver is around 25gr of 5Fg, but as the gentleman above notes, it's a good idea to start low and work up.

 

[rodwha]

I can certainly get 35 grns of 3F in mine with a little bit more room. When I weigh the Olde Eynsford powder it weighs about 3 grns more than the measure throws.

But I’ve found the 30 grn setting (weighs 33 grns) is more accurate and is what I’ve used.

I’d never recommend anyone to against the manufacturer’s recommendations/warnings but it is not dangerous. Supposedly the steels used in today’s reproductions is stronger than what was used in the late 1800’s. And we know the Hazard’s paper cartridges used during the Civil War contained 36 grns of 4F powder pushing a 211 grn conical, and Hazard’s Pistol Powder was found to be as energetic as Swiss. But I’d never recommend one do such, and with energetic 3F there really isn’t a need to as far as I see it. With a custom bullet and that 30 grn charge I’m likely in the standard .45 ACP performance levels and that’s acceptable for hunting with.

 

[Enfieldguy]

For what it's worth, Powder charges in combustible .44 cartridges varied from 24-28 grains, depending on manufacturer. This is with a conical ball.

 

[rodwha]

The Johnston & Dow paper cartridges for .44 cal used 35 grns and a 242 grn conical. I have a hard time believing that much lead fit over that much powder in a standard .44 cal, but I am clueless as to what it was designed for.

 

[boker]

Good info, thanks my gun is accurate with 30 3f, loaded with a 454 round ball over a felt pad. I top the cylinder off with bore butter , never had a issue.