36 vs 44 velocities?

ZVP · November 20, 2013, 02:31 AM

Generally speaking, with the average recommended charges in each caliber, what would a ballpark estimate of velocities be?
Say a 30 gr powder charge in .44 vs a 25 gr charge in a .36?
From the info I have been able to gather, the .36 should generate about 900 fps and the .44 maybe up to 800fps.
Both would be more than adequate foe slf defense if these estimates are near correct.
I have always wondered WHY(?) wild Bill chose the .36 over more modern and current loads of the era? Was it velocity, penetration, or trajectory and accuracy that made the .36 mosr favored by Wild Bill?
Thanks for your help and opnions!
BPDave

kwhi43 · November 20, 2013, 02:50 AM

Mebby he could not afford anything else.

Bishop Creek · November 20, 2013, 10:55 AM

I have read that Wild Bill had rather small hands so the 1851 likely fit into his hand better that the larger 1860. Additionally, the 1851 Colt Navy was very popular and the larger .44s were mainly used by Cowboys on the trail to shoot wolves, etc.

Noz · November 20, 2013, 12:37 PM

The 44s were used for serious shooting not social shooting.

rclark · November 20, 2013, 01:28 PM

Quote:

accuracy that made the .36 mosr favored by Wild Bill?

I was always under the impression that he was very familiar with them and shot them very well... Therefore, why change when hitting what you aim at trumps a 'heavier bullet' miss? Even I notice when I move from one revolver to the next it has a different feel, balances slightly different, etc. I suspect this had a lot to do with it. When you life depends on it, stick with what works (and has worked) for you. Anyway, that is my take.

Hawg · November 20, 2013, 06:11 PM

http://poconoshooting.com/blackpowderballistics.html

Doc Hoy · November 21, 2013, 03:46 AM

He was reading this forum and found out that Hawg likes .36 caliber revolvers.

.

.

.

.......;o)

Hawg · November 21, 2013, 05:22 AM

C'mon Doc, I ain't THAT old!

Doc Hoy · November 21, 2013, 06:32 AM

Maybe he was reading my posts.

B.L.E. · November 21, 2013, 07:01 AM

I have heard that Bill himself said something to the effect "I don't need to kill them, I only need to make them sit down and stop shooting".

I love small bore muzzleloaders, they are twice as much fun and only cost half as much to shoot.

ZVP · November 22, 2013, 12:01 AM

That ballistics site was very interesting, thanks!
BPDave

Boomer58cal · November 23, 2013, 11:20 PM

Quote:

I love small bore muzzleloaders, they are twice as much fun and only cost half as much to shoot.

Especially if you cast your own. I get about 140 RB per pound of lead for my .32's. Compare that to 7.7 bullets per pound for my .62.

I also get 200 shots per pound of powder with my .32, compared to 58 shots per pound with my .62.

The link above was pretty neat. By the momentum formula my .62's 900 g bullet has a momentum of 154 ft/s with my standard hunting powder charge. That's the equivalent moment of being shot with a 22 lr by 25 people at the same time.

I know its not the same thing but it sure looks good on paper.

Boomer

November 20, 2013, 02:31 AM	#1
ZVP Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2009 Posts: 1,102	36 vs 44 velocities? Generally speaking, with the average recommended charges in each caliber, what would a ballpark estimate of velocities be? Say a 30 gr powder charge in .44 vs a 25 gr charge in a .36? From the info I have been able to gather, the .36 should generate about 900 fps and the .44 maybe up to 800fps. Both would be more than adequate foe slf defense if these estimates are near correct. I have always wondered WHY(?) wild Bill chose the .36 over more modern and current loads of the era? Was it velocity, penetration, or trajectory and accuracy that made the .36 mosr favored by Wild Bill? Thanks for your help and opnions! BPDave

November 21, 2013, 03:46 AM	#7
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Wild Bill's reasons should be obvious to all.... He was reading this forum and found out that Hawg likes .36 caliber revolvers. . . . .......;o) __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

November 21, 2013, 06:32 AM	#9
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Ooooo... Maybe he was reading my posts. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

November 21, 2013, 07:01 AM	#10
B.L.E. Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2008 Location: Somewhere on the Southern shore of Lake Travis, TX Posts: 2,603	I have heard that Bill himself said something to the effect "I don't need to kill them, I only need to make them sit down and stop shooting". I love small bore muzzleloaders, they are twice as much fun and only cost half as much to shoot. __________________ Hanlon's Razor "Do not invoke conspiracy as explanation when ignorance and incompetence will suffice, as conspiracy implies intelligence and organization."

November 20, 2013, 02:50 AM	#2
kwhi43 Senior Member Join Date: August 21, 2008 Location: Kansas City Posts: 1,393	Mebby he could not afford anything else.

November 20, 2013, 10:55 AM	#3
Bishop Creek Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2011 Posts: 566	I have read that Wild Bill had rather small hands so the 1851 likely fit into his hand better that the larger 1860. Additionally, the 1851 Colt Navy was very popular and the larger .44s were mainly used by Cowboys on the trail to shoot wolves, etc.

November 20, 2013, 12:37 PM	#4
Noz Senior Member Join Date: February 25, 2009 Posts: 643	The 44s were used for serious shooting not social shooting.

November 20, 2013, 06:11 PM	#6
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	http://poconoshooting.com/blackpowderballistics.html

November 21, 2013, 05:22 AM	#8
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	C'mon Doc, I ain't THAT old!

November 22, 2013, 12:01 AM	#11
ZVP Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2009 Posts: 1,102	That ballistics site was very interesting, thanks! BPDave