Normal Velocities

Black Power vs Smokeless Powder

Black Powder

Original Velocities

1873-1877

Early Black Powder loads were recorded to be 1,325fps. I, as well as John Kort, have replicated these velocities with Black Powder. John achieved great accuracy but all I have done is test for Pressures and Velocity.

Replicated loads shot in the aforementioned unheadstamped cases yielded two results based on Swiss FFg and Goex FFFg, 40gr loads by weight and compressed .17".

Advertised 1,325fps - 40gr/w Swiss FFg yielded 1,373fps @ 14,000psi/16,550cup.
Advertised 1,325fps - 40gr/w Goex FFFg yielded 1,356fps @ 12,648psi/14,000cup

1886-1904

Black powder loads of this time frame show a lower velocity of 1,245fps. My test loads using various manufactured cases from this time period with the above powders recorded from 1,235fps to 1,276fps with pressures in the 12,500psi area, giving a good comparison.

Replicated loads shot in W.R.A.Co., as well as REM-UMC headstamped cases yielded the following using Goex FFFg, 40gr loads by weight and compressed about .19".

Advertised 1,245fps - 40gr/w Goex FFFg yielded 1,260fps @ 10,519psi/12,500cup.

Using the above black powder loads in modern cases resulted in mid 1,250fps range with mild chamber pressures of only 8,500psi to 10,000psi. Powder compression is a must with both original and modern brass. H2O measurments of the cases resulted in different overall volumes as expected.

Replicated loads shot in Starline cases yielded the following using Goex FFFg, 40gr loads by weight and compressed about .21".

Advertised 1,245fps - 40gr/w Goex FFFg yielded 1,235fps @ 8,305psi/9,817cup

December 20, 2014

John Kort resurrected the true potential of the black powder 44-40 cartridges using vintage cases. Replicating Doc Pardee's 1875 shots. Using these older cases shows an increase in velocity from modern cases. John recorded 1,330fps using 37gr Swiss FFg. Swiss FFg certainly seems better than Goex FFFg. Typically this should be the other way around, FFFg being a bit faster than FFg.

Smokeless Powder

Original Velocities

1895 brought out the first smokeless loads recorded to be 1,300fps putting the caliber back closer to it's 1,325fps roots. Early smokeless powder loads are recorded to produce less pressures than the BP loads. This should have been explained in details back on the Transition Years pages.

Replicated loads shot in 1914 smokeless powder cases yielded the following results.

Advertised 1,300fps - 17g of Dupont No. 2 yielded 1,282fps @ 10,19000psi/16,550cup.
Advertised 1,300fps - 15gr of Sharpshooter yielded 1,222fps @ 9,176psi/10,846cup

I have been able to replicate 1,325fps with smokeless loads producing low pressures using Reloder 7 as you are well aware of by now. Recording 30-40 consecutive shots inside 4" at 100 yards. @ 1,354fps at less than 12,500psi.

The only drawback to using Reloder 7 is that only about 65% of the powder is burned leaving "skeletons" in the barrel and possibly in the action. This in no way bothers me. The powder directly under the bullet also acts like a gas-check.

Other powders certainly do give good velocities as well but Reloder 7 gives me the best performance to include accuracy out to and past 200 yards.

Targets 2-22-20-1, 2, 4 and 8

Normal Velocities @ Low Pressures

2020 brings on a new year and a new set of targets. Unfortunately the groups are not consistent in placement because I was testing other loads and kept adjusting the scope for those loads. Ignore the group locations but rather focus on the groups themselves.