"Factory"loads for Pietta '58 Remington?

[7mmstalker]

Are they kidding?? Found an online PDF Pietta manual and the loading data for 44 revolver (w/.454ball) states 12-15 grains is their min/max reccomended load of FFF black.
Would the ball possibly get stuck halfway down the barrel?
I want to believe the factory would put out good data, but this seems extremely "safe".
Looking at the powder mfgs. websites gave me much higher loads; 777-25g; Pyrodex "P"-35g; Goex clear shot-40g; (all 3 FFF). Still looking for a good source for the real thing in FFF.
In my experience in the smokeless cartridge world, there were some fairly reliable and consistent reccomendations on max. loadings, and indicators when pressures were getting too high.
How does one know when your pushing the pressure limit? A revolver in pieces? I hope there is some other way to learn how to get better performance than what the maker suggests.

 

[WALKERs210]

Age old business thing called P.Y.O.A. Protect Your Own Assets,

 

[rdstrain49]

I use the load data published by the powder manufacturers. But that's just me.

 

[BHP FAN]

If it's a steel frame Remington .44, it will shoot 30 gr. of 3 F Goex with .454 Hornaday round ball all day long with no problem.I shoot 20 gr. to conserve powder and reduce recoil and to get back on target quicker, not because the gun won't handle it.

 

[damoc]

i started with these recomended loads and they just did not work for me
and gradually worked up to 35g fffg in a steel frame 44 cal


something which i think i noticed if you follow the recomended loading
practice and amount you will not get the bullet to seat firmly against the powder without a filler or wad.

thats why i went with a work up toward traditional loads.

 

[clancy12]

How about for a brass frame? I've read 20-25grs of FFF. Is that about right for a brass frame?

 

[BHP FAN]

Yeah, but I'd use the 20 gr. charge for longevity of the piece.

 

[gizmodog]

have found 20gs 3F B.P.with .454 R.B. to be the most accurate load in my cabela rems.

gizmodog

 

[GRIZ22]

I use 20 gr of FFFG in mine. 30 grains only gives a liitle more velocity but lots more flash. Stick to 20 grs.

 

[7mmstalker]

Good words, thanx to all who replied. This is my first BP pistol, it's a steel frame. Tried it out with my son last weekend and we had a great time. Next we need a quicker method of measuring and loading the powder into each cylinder chamber. Looks like a flask with a certain size spout will do the trick maybe.

 

[Hellgate]

Get a tall brass cylindrical or nice sized teardrop shaped flask with an assortment of spouts that throw 20, 25, and 30 grs FFFg. That's about all I shoot and mostly the 20 or 30gr loads.

 

[mykeal]

we need a quicker method of measuring and loading the powder into each cylinder chamber

Why?

 

[Geneseo1911]

I looked at the online version of the manual, and I see what you are looking at. The manual that came with my Pietta a couple weeks ago however, has both the chart you saw, which lists "recommended" loads, as well as another listing "maximum" loads. It shows 35 gr. as the max.

 

[clancy12]

we need a quicker method of measuring and loading the powder into each cylinder chamber

It also works pretts good to find a centerfire pistol case that holds about the right amount of powder and use that as a scoop and have a small funnel to pour it into the chambers to avoid spilling. I use 45 ACP, it's about 20-22grs of black powder if I recall.

 

[7mmstalker]

Quote:
we need a quicker method of measuring and loading the powder into each cylinder chamber

"mykeal"
Why?

I suppose my history of shooting newfangled cartridge revolvers has made me abit impatient, and my main shootin' buddy has the attention span of a third-grader. Oh, wait, he is a third-grader.

QUOTE=clancy12;7174471]It also works pretts good to find a centerfire pistol case that holds about the right amount of powder and use that as a scoop and have a small funnel to pour it into the chambers to avoid spilling. I use 45 ACP, it's about 20-22grs of black powder if I recall.[/QUOTE]

I tried a 38 special case and it was about 25gr, and doesn't require a funnel. Finally a good use for all those random cases!

 

[Captain*kirk]

Your pistol will hold as much powder as you can stuff under the ball and still rotate the cylinder.*
That being said, it might not be the most accurate load for your particular pistol.
My Remmie likes 28-30 grains of Pyrodex 'P' for best accuracy. I can wad 35 grains down the cylinders for full-house loads if I want to make smoke, noise and sparks for max effect.
For reduced loads, use over-powder felt wads and/or COW or other inert filler to keep the ball as close to the forcing cone as possible.
I would start at 30 and work my way back. With a steel-frame pistol this should pose no problems.

* Users of 777 should reduce max loads as recommended by manufacturer.