Olde Enysford in the .45 Colt

[w30wcf]

Olde E is marketed as producing minimal fouling like the more expensive Swiss.
Based on my testing the claim is true in this 40 gr. cartridge.

Swiss does produce a bit more velocity with the same volume but Olde E is a bit more energetic with the same charge wt.

Bullet: Accurate 45-260B / 263 grs. (upscaled version of the vintage 427098 .44-40 bullet)
40 gr. volume Lyman 55 measure / R-P Brass annealed / CCI 300 primer
Compression, settled charge - .18” (fired, neck sized cases) @ 1.58” oal

Rifle - .45 Colt Marlin Cowboy Ltd. - 24" barrel

Olde E FFG – 1,178 f.p.s. average
Swiss FFG – 1,239 f.p.s average

Olde E FFFG – 1,290 f.p.s. average
Swiss FFFG – 1,303 f.p.s. average

(Actual weights – Old E - 36 grs. / Swiss - 40 grs.)

As in my previous .44-40 tests, Olde E kept fouling to a minimum like Swiss and provided continued accurate shooting with the two lube grooved 45-260B bullet….something regular Goex and like powders cannot do in a 24” barrel.

To load 40 grs. by weight of Olde E required .27” of compression and produced these velocities.
Olde E FFG – 1,254 f.p.s.
Olde E FFFG – 1,323 f.p.s.

Accuracy @ 100 yards with all loads was good......in the 2” to 3” range.

Next test 300 meters......

w44wcf

[Del-Ray]

I've been wanting to give black powder a shot in my 45 colt, when you speak of compression are you using a separate compressing die, or just using the bullet as you seat it?

I've got an old style Ruger Bisley Vaquero, the stronger action. But I've got a Cimmaron on layaway right now, so I think I'll wait till I get the Colt clone and use the black powder in that.

Thanks for the information.

[TXGunNut]

Did one powder seem to give more consistent velocities than the other?

[w30wcf]

Del-Ray,
For the 40 gr volume I used the bullet (11 bhn) to compress. For the 40 grs by weight of Olde E I compressed the charge with my Lyman M die.

TXGunNut,
Swiss FFG 40 gr. - 9 f.p.s. variation.
36 gr. Olde E FFG - 24 fps var. / FFFG - 10 fps var.
40 gr. Olde E FFG - 36 fps var / FFFG - 14 fps var.

w30wcf

[TXGunNut]

TXGunNut,
Swiss FFG 40 gr. - 9 f.p.s. variation.
36 gr. Olde E FFG - 24 fps var. / FFFG - 10 fps var.
40 gr. Olde E FFG - 36 fps var / FFFG - 14 fps var.

w30wcf

Wow! Thanks.