Howell conversions for Colt Dragoon and 1858 Sheriffs model .36 cal

DavidB2 · August 19, 2015, 01:46 PM

I currently have two black powder reproduction pistols; an Uberti 2nd model Colt Dragoon and a Pietta 1858 Rem. .36 caliber, also called the sherriff's model. I am thinking about getting a Howell conversion cylinder to shoot modern day cartridges (in cowboy loads). Just curious as to which one will work better or shoot better with the Howell conversion cylinder. The conversion cylinder will enable the 1858 to shoot .38 Specials and the Dragoon to shoot .45 colt. Any thoughts/experiences with shooting a Howell conversion cylinder with either of these repro pistols? Thanks.

TomADC · August 19, 2015, 05:19 PM

David I've had/have conversion cylinders in 45 colt and have good luck with Trail Boss powder which s getting hard to find, but before you do the 36 to 38 special conversion read this, if you reload this would be great IMHO.
http://1858remington.com/discuss/index.php?topic=2016.0

Captchee · August 19, 2015, 05:37 PM

I played around a lot with load in my 36 cal 1851 conversion . Finally broke down and went to heeled bullets . They were the ticket . I use 4.2 grains of American select and a 125 gr heel bullet from old west moulds .
get the special loading die and loading the heels is a snap

45 Dragoon · August 19, 2015, 06:28 PM

Conversions are just about all I shoot and I have both R&D (Howell) and Kirst gated conversions.
The Remie is a great "drop cylinder" gun! It's the easiest set up by far.
The open tops are more difficult with a "drop cylinder" so I prefer the more historical (and best looking in my opinion) gated conversions.

Both set ups work great for me and I'm a bigger fan than ever of the converted six shooters!!!
Mine are all 45C by the way. Had a .36 years ago and finally switched it back to C&B because of its terrible accuracy.

Mike
www.goonsgunworks.com

Bishop Creek · August 19, 2015, 08:42 PM

I had the barrel of my Pietta Remington .36 relined to .357 to make it much easier to shoot .38 Special and .38 Long Colt with an R&D (Howell) conversion cylinder. Don't have to use healed bullets.

45 Dragoon · August 19, 2015, 09:56 PM

Nice!!

Mike
www.goonsgunworks.com

Bishop Creek · August 19, 2015, 10:29 PM

Thanks Mike, I redid the grips a few years ago using a long-rifle stain from Track of the Wolf.

DavidB2 · August 19, 2015, 10:34 PM

Pardon my ignorance, but what are heeled bullets? Are the Black Hills cowboy .38 special rounds a heeled bullet? How about Magtech?

drobs · August 20, 2015, 05:15 AM

I have a Kirst cartridge Konverter bought years ago in 45 Colt for Pietta New Model Army revolver.
http://www.kirstkonverter.com/

I bought mine before Kirst came out with the loading gate. Back then you could either do the Pale Rider cylinder swap or cut the back plate and side of the recoil shield.

I'm tempted to pick up a 45 acp cylinder but find I'm enjoying shooting it more with C&B than cartridges.

the Black Spot · August 20, 2015, 12:57 PM

I have one for my 2nd model dragoon, and love it!!

Bishop Creek · August 20, 2015, 09:19 PM

DavidB2 to answer your question about heeled bullets, a .36 caliber barrel is .375 and a .38 caliber is 357, so when you shoot a .38 down the barrel of a .36 it does not fit tight and gives you terrible accuracy. This was a problem in the 1870s too so they developed heeled bullets with a wide outside diameter (same as the case) to make up for it. Now days you either line your .36 barrel to .357 like I did, make your own heeled bullets or buy hollow base bullets like these from Buffalo Arms:

http://www.buffaloarms.com/38_Long_C....aspx?CAT=4439

August 19, 2015, 01:46 PM	#1
DavidB2 Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 2008 Posts: 129	Howell conversions for Colt Dragoon and 1858 Sheriffs model .36 cal I currently have two black powder reproduction pistols; an Uberti 2nd model Colt Dragoon and a Pietta 1858 Rem. .36 caliber, also called the sherriff's model. I am thinking about getting a Howell conversion cylinder to shoot modern day cartridges (in cowboy loads). Just curious as to which one will work better or shoot better with the Howell conversion cylinder. The conversion cylinder will enable the 1858 to shoot .38 Specials and the Dragoon to shoot .45 colt. Any thoughts/experiences with shooting a Howell conversion cylinder with either of these repro pistols? Thanks.

August 19, 2015, 05:19 PM	#2
TomADC Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2009 Location: San Diego County Posts: 795	David I've had/have conversion cylinders in 45 colt and have good luck with Trail Boss powder which s getting hard to find, but before you do the 36 to 38 special conversion read this, if you reload this would be great IMHO. http://1858remington.com/discuss/index.php?topic=2016.0 __________________ US Navy Retired,NRA Life Member,SASS member, Time magazine's Person of the Year 2006!

August 19, 2015, 10:34 PM	#8
DavidB2 Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 2008 Posts: 129	Heeled bullet question Pardon my ignorance, but what are heeled bullets? Are the Black Hills cowboy .38 special rounds a heeled bullet? How about Magtech?

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August 19, 2015, 05:37 PM	#3
Captchee Senior Member Join Date: April 2, 2013 Posts: 439	I played around a lot with load in my 36 cal 1851 conversion . Finally broke down and went to heeled bullets . They were the ticket . I use 4.2 grains of American select and a 125 gr heel bullet from old west moulds . get the special loading die and loading the heels is a snap

August 19, 2015, 06:28 PM	#4
45 Dragoon Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2013 Posts: 656	Conversions are just about all I shoot and I have both R&D (Howell) and Kirst gated conversions. The Remie is a great "drop cylinder" gun! It's the easiest set up by far. The open tops are more difficult with a "drop cylinder" so I prefer the more historical (and best looking in my opinion) gated conversions. Both set ups work great for me and I'm a bigger fan than ever of the converted six shooters!!! Mine are all 45C by the way. Had a .36 years ago and finally switched it back to C&B because of its terrible accuracy. Mike www.goonsgunworks.com

August 19, 2015, 08:42 PM	#5
Bishop Creek Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2011 Posts: 566	I had the barrel of my Pietta Remington .36 relined to .357 to make it much easier to shoot .38 Special and .38 Long Colt with an R&D (Howell) conversion cylinder. Don't have to use healed bullets.

August 19, 2015, 09:56 PM	#6
45 Dragoon Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2013 Posts: 656	Nice!! Mike www.goonsgunworks.com

August 19, 2015, 10:29 PM	#7
Bishop Creek Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2011 Posts: 566	Thanks Mike, I redid the grips a few years ago using a long-rifle stain from Track of the Wolf.

August 20, 2015, 05:15 AM	#9
drobs Senior Member Join Date: July 17, 2015 Location: South Central MO / Africa Posts: 1,111	I have a Kirst cartridge Konverter bought years ago in 45 Colt for Pietta New Model Army revolver. http://www.kirstkonverter.com/ I bought mine before Kirst came out with the loading gate. Back then you could either do the Pale Rider cylinder swap or cut the back plate and side of the recoil shield. I'm tempted to pick up a 45 acp cylinder but find I'm enjoying shooting it more with C&B than cartridges.

August 20, 2015, 12:57 PM	#10
the Black Spot Senior Member Join Date: September 9, 2009 Location: arkansas Posts: 218	I have one for my 2nd model dragoon, and love it!!

August 20, 2015, 09:19 PM	#11
Bishop Creek Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2011 Posts: 566	DavidB2 to answer your question about heeled bullets, a .36 caliber barrel is .375 and a .38 caliber is 357, so when you shoot a .38 down the barrel of a .36 it does not fit tight and gives you terrible accuracy. This was a problem in the 1870s too so they developed heeled bullets with a wide outside diameter (same as the case) to make up for it. Now days you either line your .36 barrel to .357 like I did, make your own heeled bullets or buy hollow base bullets like these from Buffalo Arms: http://www.buffaloarms.com/38_Long_C....aspx?CAT=4439