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Thread: Cap&Ball Ballistics

  1. #1
    Boolit Buddy
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    Cap&Ball Ballistics

    Here's one for the pioneer in you!

    Howard


  2. #2
    Boolit Grand Master


    Larry Gibson's Avatar
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    Now that was not only interesting but fun.......well done.
    Larry Gibson

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  3. #3
    Boolit Buddy
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    Thanks for that!

    Here's predicted penetration and wound mass for the long barrel (assuming no expansion):

    Click image for larger version. 

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    And here's the sheriff's model:

    Click image for larger version. 

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  4. #4
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    Interesting. I wonder how much difference using something like Swiss BP would make in velocity. Probably not a huge difference, but it's worth a thought.
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  5. #5
    Boolit Master derek45's Avatar
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    You video popped up on my youtube last night.

    nice work.

    I run 35gr in my 1860 Army with balls, or 30gr with the LEE bullets in this pic. ( GOEX fffg)

    I need to chrony them, but going from 30 to 35 seems like a bit more thump

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  6. #6
    Boolit Master
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    Very nice video. I would also like to see another video of the same guns with the lee 200 gr bullet and speed. Also it would be nice to see you shoot 6 shots at 75 yards .great video

  7. #7
    Boolit Master
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    Loved the video, thanks for doing it. I had trouble chronographing black powder, the high speed cinders would register. 2,500 fps out of a Colt’s Army .44 didn’t look right.

    Like you, I love shooting my cap and ball pistols, but I only shoot them once or twice a year.

  8. #8
    Boolit Buddy
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    I've had several viewers recommend Swiss, and Triple 7 for higher velocities. I picked up a can of Triple 7 over the weekend. I'll be testing it in an upcoming video. Stay tuned!

    Howard

  9. #9
    Boolit Master derek45's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Silver Jack Hammer View Post
    Loved the video, thanks for doing it. I had trouble chronographing black powder, the high speed cinders would register. 2,500 fps out of a Colt’s Army .44 didn’t look right.

    Like you, I love shooting my cap and ball pistols, but I only shoot them once or twice a year.




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  10. #10
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    I was surprised at the low velocities recorded. It was years ago, but my 1860 Army sent the same .451 balls down range at about 700-725 fps, over the same 30 grain powder charge. Even with energies on par with a 32 S&W, those 138 grain balls would still put a hurt on the recipient.
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  11. #11
    Boolit Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by Hrfunk View Post
    I've had several viewers recommend Swiss, and Triple 7 for higher velocities. I picked up a can of Triple 7 over the weekend. I'll be testing it in an upcoming video. Stay tuned!

    Howard
    Will be waiting to see this. Very impatiently. Great great video

  12. #12
    Boolit Buddy
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    Thank you!

    Howard

  13. #13
    Boolit Master Thumbcocker's Avatar
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    It would be interesting to see how period correct conicals would do. From what I have read they were preferred by some for combat loads.
    Paper targets aren't your friends. They won't lie for you and they don't care if your feelings get hurt.

  14. #14
    Boolit Buddy
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    excellent. here's some comparison numbers, might help with further research. I find triple seven does seem to result in higher velocities in the remington pocket, and the old army. not so much in the italian new army I have, though.

    http://poconoshooting.com/blackpowderballistics.html
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  15. #15
    Boolit Master derek45's Avatar
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    Took out my 1860 Army today

    Happy to report it was 100% reliable with new SLIXshot nipples.

    GOEX fffg

    35gr hornady roundball - 865fps

    30gr LEE 200gr RN 708fps





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  16. #16
    Boolit Master Thumbcocker's Avatar
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    Those are more in line with what I would expect from a cap and ball six shooter.
    Paper targets aren't your friends. They won't lie for you and they don't care if your feelings get hurt.

  17. #17
    Boolit Master



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    Me too.............
    JMHO-YMMV
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  18. #18
    Boolit Grand Master Tripplebeards's Avatar
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    Thanks for the video. I have a colt 45 trail boss load with a 255 grain boolit that averages around 575 FPS. Just enough to get the job done. I see air rifles marketed to harvest deer with that aren’t any faster. I would assume out to 50 yards would be acceptable with both your pistols on whitetails?

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check