Ugly Sauce
Member
- Joined
- Oct 26, 2020
- Messages
- 6,180
I got to wondering...my .50" barrel shoots a 240 grain bullet, (Hornady "PA" conical) and in the .54" I shoot round ball, about 220 grains. Both over 70 grains of Pixie dust. The question is, which hits Grizz between the eyes the hardest?? Different projectiles, different diameter, but I'm thinking velocity must be about the same. And the differences are not that great. .50 vs. .54", and 220 grains vs. 240. But apples and grapefruits for sure. Crab apples and Red Delicious?
This big old solid, wet chunk of wood, been outside in the snow all winter, I shot clean through with a .54 ball. I did not recover the ball. so today, I shot it with the .50" barrel and 240 grain slug. It not only went through, but split the darn thing about in half. The block may have been weak from the .54" ball, but man the .50 slug did some damage. ! It's no pop-gun.
So I shot it again, and that was the end of it for a test block. But I did recover the bullet. One from the before mentioned block, and one from another. Yep that's the Hawg-Horn, and I made a 70 grain measure for the pistol, and realized that instead of making a 140 grain bucket size measure for my Bess, 140 grains, I can just use the 70 grain one and give Bess a double-shot. When I carry the Plains Pistol and Bess together, one size fits all!
For a repeatable test, I shot this block on the right, with it up against one of the 4X4 posts that hold up my shooting bench. The block is not as big as the last one, that is now firewood, but it's a good solid hunk of old seasoned wood. The post is also something hard solid and tough. As you can see, the 240 grain slug over 70 grains went through the block, and about an inch into the post. So I will be able to load up the .54" barrel, and see how far it goes.
Any predictions? Will the greater weight, greater sectional density, and smaller frontal area of the .50" slug penetrate further than the .54" ball? When I shot the block in the first picture with a .54" ball, it sailed through it like it was a block of butter. Warm butter.
I did discover that those PA conical bullets do not load easily. I knew that before, but getting the third shot loaded was very difficult. The second was not "too bad". (and not too good) However, it can be carried loaded with the slug, (if you remove the lube, it will not migrate down the barrel) and subsequent shots can be ball in paper cartridges. If time permits, the barrel can be wiped and then loaded. But that is another story, and if I ever need to fire it in anger, there most likely won't be time for any reloading. One shot, and I better make it good.
The Plains Pistol, aka The Baby Beast, says: "Thanks for listening". I'll do the .54" test as soon as possible, which may not be real soon.!!! But "pretty soon". Make your predictions soon!
This big old solid, wet chunk of wood, been outside in the snow all winter, I shot clean through with a .54 ball. I did not recover the ball. so today, I shot it with the .50" barrel and 240 grain slug. It not only went through, but split the darn thing about in half. The block may have been weak from the .54" ball, but man the .50 slug did some damage. ! It's no pop-gun.
So I shot it again, and that was the end of it for a test block. But I did recover the bullet. One from the before mentioned block, and one from another. Yep that's the Hawg-Horn, and I made a 70 grain measure for the pistol, and realized that instead of making a 140 grain bucket size measure for my Bess, 140 grains, I can just use the 70 grain one and give Bess a double-shot. When I carry the Plains Pistol and Bess together, one size fits all!
For a repeatable test, I shot this block on the right, with it up against one of the 4X4 posts that hold up my shooting bench. The block is not as big as the last one, that is now firewood, but it's a good solid hunk of old seasoned wood. The post is also something hard solid and tough. As you can see, the 240 grain slug over 70 grains went through the block, and about an inch into the post. So I will be able to load up the .54" barrel, and see how far it goes.
Any predictions? Will the greater weight, greater sectional density, and smaller frontal area of the .50" slug penetrate further than the .54" ball? When I shot the block in the first picture with a .54" ball, it sailed through it like it was a block of butter. Warm butter.
I did discover that those PA conical bullets do not load easily. I knew that before, but getting the third shot loaded was very difficult. The second was not "too bad". (and not too good) However, it can be carried loaded with the slug, (if you remove the lube, it will not migrate down the barrel) and subsequent shots can be ball in paper cartridges. If time permits, the barrel can be wiped and then loaded. But that is another story, and if I ever need to fire it in anger, there most likely won't be time for any reloading. One shot, and I better make it good.
The Plains Pistol, aka The Baby Beast, says: "Thanks for listening". I'll do the .54" test as soon as possible, which may not be real soon.!!! But "pretty soon". Make your predictions soon!
Your bike looks much younger. My newest one is a 1992. Nice looking stout hoss there.
