Picked up an ASM 1860 Army - what's a good load?

[clang]

At the fun show this weekend there was an Armi San Marco repro Colt 1860 Army that I wound up buying for a C note. The gun looks to be unfired, with just a little surface rust in a couple of spots. The gun appears to be well made with a very nice action. The only issue I had with it was the barrel stud that holds the loading lever was a little loose in its dovetail, which was a simple fix.

Anyway, what's the preferred load for this gun? I'm mainly a Pyrodex user (I know - blasphemy in some circles), and I was thinking of starting with 30 grains like I use in my ROA.

Thanks,

clang

 

[Hellgate]

I have several ASM 44 cal Colt C&Bs. The ASM guns do not hold as much powder as the Piettas and Ubertis in the chambers. If you look you'll see the last 1/4" or so of the chamber is only the diameter of the nipple. 30grs is about all the powder you will get into it with a Wonder Wad. I shoot 20-30grs in mine. I have found that with a little giggling I can get a LEE 200gr 44 conical into my ASM Army but not a Pietta 1860 Army. You'll only get about 25 grs powder under that one (with a wad). The ASMs varied in quality from the different importers. My Hartford Model is a sweet shooter. They have a tendency to break their hand springs but the replacement hand springs I have used so far, have held up well.

 

[BCRider]

30 to 32 grains with no wad seats the ball nicely down in the cylinder so it's back from the front face by about 3/32 to 1/8 inch.

 

[madcratebuilder]

I load 25-30grs in my medium frame .44's.

 

[clang]

Thanks Gents,

I should have mentioned - I like using round ball ammo. I can't wait to try this one out - there was a time I thought the long barrel on these guns was a bit ungainly, but now that I've been handling this gun and see how relativley light it is, I am growing quite fond of it.

 

[BCRider]

It's a matter of becoming used to the look. The phrase "it'll grown on ya" is very valid. I thought they looked long and ungainly as well. But now I'm planning on having a dispaly case in the new house with the BP revolvers on display along with some gunleather and my CAS cowboy hat to complete the display's setting.