Velocity Timeline

How Fast Were They?

Figuring Out Today's Ballistics

Velocity Time-Line

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Black Powder

44 Henry 

• 1872 - 1,125fps

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44-40

• 1873 - 1,325fps

• 1886-1904 - 217gr-1,190fps.....200gr -1,245fps

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Smokeless Powder, 200gr JSP (Winchester, Winchester-Western)

• 1895 - 1,325fps

• 1903 - M/92 Special, W.H.V.,  1,500fps, (1910-1938 - 1,570fps)

• 1938 - 1,300fps

• 1941 - 1,310fps 

• 1950 - 1,320fps

• 1962 - 1,310fps

• 1971 - 1,310fps both Winchester and Western

• 1978 - 1,310fps last offering for this velocity

• 1979 - 1,190fps both Winchester and Western

• Present - 1,190fps

• 1997 - Cowboy Loads - 1,000fps or less from a rifle.

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Food For Thought!!!

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Black Powder Replica Loads

Notice the change in velocity from 1873 to 1886. 1873 velocities were reported 1,325fps while later post 1886 velocities were reported as being  1,245fps. Compare that to my test data.

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Swiss FFG, .18" compression, pre-1884 cases using modern components = 1,373fps @ 14,300psi

Goex FFFG, .18" compression, pre-1884 cases using modern components = 1,356fps @ 12,650psi

Goex FFFG, .20" compression, Post 1884 cases using modern components = 1,276fps @ 12,700psi

Swiss FFG, .22" compression (Case Bulge), Starline cases = 1,226fps @ 9,000psi

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Pretty consistent!!

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