Cap and Ball energy

[olmontanaboy]

In terms of power, how would a .456 caliber ball fired from an 1860 army with a safe maximum load compare to a 45 Colt cartridge cowboy load fired from the same gun with a conversion cylinder? Just curious.

[Hawg Haggen]

With 30 grs. of powder about 750 fps compared to around 900 fps with the .45 Colt cartridge. You can't overload a steel frame revolver with bp tho. If you can pack it in there and the cylinder will turn it's safe to fire.

[D.Delozier]

I would say that the energy level is on par with a 38 spl. Given the wieght of the ball and the speed.

[Hawg Haggen]

I would say that the energy level is on par with a 38 spl. Given the wieght of the ball and the speed.


It would be closer to the .38 S&W with the S&W being a tad faster.

[olmontanaboy]

I guess if using a conical in place of a round ball the energy would be up a bit, do you think?

[Raider2000]

I know that my Pietta NMA w/ 5.5" barrel loaded in this fashion:

.456 222gr. Lee Conical Lubed w/ Crisco & Beeswax
30gr. FFFG Goex
Remington #11 caps

Will produce 718fps. & 250ft. lbs.

Almost what a .45 Schofield would produce during that time.

[olmontanaboy]

.456 222gr. Lee Conical
That's the mold I have. I have not used it yet. Do you have any diffculty in loading it? Do you size the bullet in a sizing die or load it as cast?

[Raider2000]

That's the mold I have. I have not used it yet. Do you have any diffculty in loading it? Do you size the bullet in a sizing die or load it as cast?

No I do not size it but I did modify my lil Cannon "as my wife calls it" to accept that larger conical including radiusing the loading window a little to allow easier loading.