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Raider2000 · October 9, 2008, 10:02 PM

Well put B. Lahey, & I concurr the large caliber pistols were every bit the man stoper & game getting loads that todays large caliber handguns are.

Not to mention that untill the 20th century all pistol & revolver bullets were pure lead which means that when they struck their target they started to expand due to resistance, maybe not as severe as todays hollow point bullets but they did expand some.

.45 Colt = 40gr. FFg. 255gr. bullet = 900fps. - 458ft. lbs.
.44 Russian = 24gr. FFFg. 245gr. bullet = 750fps. - 305ft. lbs.
.44-40 WCF = 40gr. FFg. 200gr. bullet = 1050fps. - 489ft. lbs.
.45 Schofield = 26gr. FFFg. 230gr. bullet = 750fps. - 286ft. lbs.

That's to name just the most popular rounds of the time, there were some .38 & 32 caliber rounds but they were mostly in smaller more concealed pistols with a few exceptions.

October 9, 2008, 10:02 PM	#3
Raider2000 Senior Member Join Date: July 23, 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 719	Well put B. Lahey, & I concurr the large caliber pistols were every bit the man stoper & game getting loads that todays large caliber handguns are. Not to mention that untill the 20th century all pistol & revolver bullets were pure lead which means that when they struck their target they started to expand due to resistance, maybe not as severe as todays hollow point bullets but they did expand some. .45 Colt = 40gr. FFg. 255gr. bullet = 900fps. - 458ft. lbs. .44 Russian = 24gr. FFFg. 245gr. bullet = 750fps. - 305ft. lbs. .44-40 WCF = 40gr. FFg. 200gr. bullet = 1050fps. - 489ft. lbs. .45 Schofield = 26gr. FFFg. 230gr. bullet = 750fps. - 286ft. lbs. That's to name just the most popular rounds of the time, there were some .38 & 32 caliber rounds but they were mostly in smaller more concealed pistols with a few exceptions.