Howell conversion to 45acp for 1858 NMA

azyogi · June 13, 2010, 12:48 AM

Came across these on the Buffalo Arms site. They list them for both Pietta and Uberti. My question is this, can this handle factory ACP loads or is it like the .45lc and have to be downloaded to 'cowboy' strength? [Would post a link if I knew how]

Smokin_Gun · June 13, 2010, 03:22 AM

I don't know if Kenny's warrenty changed or not...see if he has it posted. But they said to use Cowboy loads when the name was still R&D, I doubt tht it changed.
If ya buy one and load a standard load I think it would handle it ok. That new Howell is the 5shot 45colt, right?
I have two of the R&D .45Colt for a Rogers&Spencer and a Stainless one in an ROA I'd shoot any 45Colt loads thru(but that's me) Have one Kirst ,38spl gated for a 61 Colt Navy Pietta...the .44's are better to convert...bullet vs chamber and bore wise. I still am lookin' for a Uberti Rem NMA 1858 R&D 6 shot or 5 shot Kirst.
Here's Buffalo Arms link... http://www.buffaloarms.com/

azyogi · June 13, 2010, 09:55 AM

Thats what got me lusting for a conversion I allready have the dies [my lyman turret press came set up for .45ACP] it's 5 shot so I'm hoping I can use standard loads. There was a thread over on THR about the holy black in .45ACP. When you click on the description at the bottom there's a blurb for cowboy loads if you follow it there's no ACP at the end of that rainbow. .45ACP is fairly low pressure [for smokless] so I wonder hand load or factory for this conversion?.

Tom2 · June 23, 2010, 06:22 PM

Some of this conversion stuff seems to be getting kind of adventurous to me. LIke, this Italian stuff is proved with a black powder load, in any case. Then you change the cylinder. So the new cylinder might be proved with smokeless to some level, the rest of the gun is still BP proved. Barrel, frame etc. I know most people seem cautious and shoot powderpuff loads in them but I wonder if conversion guns are susceptable to accelerated wear, if not worse, in the hands of someone who is all about power? Or just the smokeless ammo pressure curve effects, even.

azyogi · June 23, 2010, 07:35 PM

I'm not looking to shoot cartridge alot, just enough to keep in practice. One of the draw backs to keeping this type gun for HD is fresh loads. A cartridge conversion gives me the long term storage for a hideout gun [bookcase, truck, bedside, etc.]

June 13, 2010, 12:48 AM	#1
azyogi Member Join Date: June 12, 2010 Location: Tucson Posts: 88	Howell conversion to 45acp for 1858 NMA Came across these on the Buffalo Arms site. They list them for both Pietta and Uberti. My question is this, can this handle factory ACP loads or is it like the .45lc and have to be downloaded to 'cowboy' strength? [Would post a link if I knew how]

June 13, 2010, 03:22 AM	#2
Smokin_Gun Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 2005 Location: Mojave Desert, CA Posts: 1,195	I don't know if Kenny's warrenty changed or not...see if he has it posted. But they said to use Cowboy loads when the name was still R&D, I doubt tht it changed. If ya buy one and load a standard load I think it would handle it ok. That new Howell is the 5shot 45colt, right? I have two of the R&D .45Colt for a Rogers&Spencer and a Stainless one in an ROA I'd shoot any 45Colt loads thru(but that's me) Have one Kirst ,38spl gated for a 61 Colt Navy Pietta...the .44's are better to convert...bullet vs chamber and bore wise. I still am lookin' for a Uberti Rem NMA 1858 R&D 6 shot or 5 shot Kirst. Here's Buffalo Arms link... http://www.buffaloarms.com/ __________________ "I Smoke Black Powder" "Favor an 1858 Remington" SGT. Smokin' Gun, Mosby's Rangers 43rd Virginia Cavalry C.S.A. SASS# 19634, ... Admin:http://blackpowdersmoke.com/oldcoots/index.php

June 13, 2010, 09:55 AM	#3
azyogi Member Join Date: June 12, 2010 Location: Tucson Posts: 88	Not .45LC it says .45ACP Thats what got me lusting for a conversion I allready have the dies [my lyman turret press came set up for .45ACP] it's 5 shot so I'm hoping I can use standard loads. There was a thread over on THR about the holy black in .45ACP. When you click on the description at the bottom there's a blurb for cowboy loads if you follow it there's no ACP at the end of that rainbow. .45ACP is fairly low pressure [for smokless] so I wonder hand load or factory for this conversion?.

June 23, 2010, 06:22 PM	#4
Tom2 Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 5,676	Some of this conversion stuff seems to be getting kind of adventurous to me. LIke, this Italian stuff is proved with a black powder load, in any case. Then you change the cylinder. So the new cylinder might be proved with smokeless to some level, the rest of the gun is still BP proved. Barrel, frame etc. I know most people seem cautious and shoot powderpuff loads in them but I wonder if conversion guns are susceptable to accelerated wear, if not worse, in the hands of someone who is all about power? Or just the smokeless ammo pressure curve effects, even. __________________ Your gun is like your nose, it is just wrong for someone else to pick it for you!

June 23, 2010, 07:35 PM	#5
azyogi Member Join Date: June 12, 2010 Location: Tucson Posts: 88	Good point Tom I'm not looking to shoot cartridge alot, just enough to keep in practice. One of the draw backs to keeping this type gun for HD is fresh loads. A cartridge conversion gives me the long term storage for a hideout gun [bookcase, truck, bedside, etc.]