Originally Posted by
Oyeboten
Hi LouisannaMan,
Mr. "I.J." 3rd Model was made ( I think...) in 1932. The 3rd Models if memory serve, began around 1913, and, were re-engineered for 'Smokeless'.
I was not planning on using any Smokeless though, unless one consider '777' to be a sort of Smokless type.
Black Powder Loads are always compressed, no Air Space. One can reduce a Load by using 'fillers', such as Cream of Wheat, but, I would see no point in that for such a short Cartridge.
'777' one uses with no Air space, but, with no Compression either, and it is slightly more powerful than Black Powder, but, not so much more powerful that full Loadings with it would bother any Arm in good condition if well made to begin with.
So, with this in mind, I would have no reason to reduce any Loads, since at their max, with the Bullet kinds and weights I have in mind, they will be fine for Mr. I.J.
Probably the .357, 148 grain HBWCs I have would work alright as-is.
I will try Loading some various things, small groups of 'ten' rounds for each experimental kind.
I do have a Chronograph, and, with Black Powder, and the Chronograph, 10 Yards is a good distance, lest the Smoke interfere with the Insturment's readings!
At some point I may elect to try, say, "Unique'' for some Loadings, or something else if I could decide what would be a good choice, and if I do I will be very prudent and careful...but for now, I wish to see what Black Powder and '777' will do.