I have the intention to shoot this type of handgun
can someone with experiences give me some hinds
I shoot a winchester 1873 musket 44/40 and reload with vihtavuori N340 8 gn a 200 gn lead bullet sized 428 at 100m
this load works very well in this type of rifle this powder has the same burning rate as imr sr4756 or Longshot from hodgdon or herco from alliant .
please advice your loads
greetings from flanders
Jarmann

Welcome to the Forum. I shoot both rifle and handgun in this caliber and the first piece of advise is to come up with a foolproof way to separate your rifle and pistol ammo. If you load for pistol only and shoot it in a rifle, your results will probably be less than satisfactory. If you do it the other way round, you could break your revolver. I find that higher pressure loads in my Frontier revolvers have an odd affect. It seems that as the felt recoil increased, the gun has a tendency to recoil hard against my middle finger and pushed the trigger guard loose. Very unsettling, since the trigger spring can potentially drop out of the revolver and be lost. Because of that potential, I load revolvers light.

When using smokeless powders, in my mind the advantages of having rifles and handguns the same caliber is of no more value than sharing brass and bullets. I have worked up many loads for my Henry and 1866 44 Winchester rifles and to obtain good accuracy, both guns require heavier loads than I would want to shoot in my revolvers. Now if you are going to shoot steel at 25 - 50 yards, you can probably get away with pistol loads in your rifle, but not much further. I will not load over 700 fps in my 44 Frontier and that translates to around 900 fps in my rifle, which is just not high enough to assure bullet stability. My go to powder is Trail Boss with a 200 grain RNFP. Keeping my velocities where I want them requires a chronograph and only actual loadings shot over a chrono can determine what you are shooting. As I stated, my revolver load runs right at 700 fps and with rifle I load for 1200 fps. Both loads are safe and provide lower pressures than original full load black powder.

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Gary
SWCA 2515

The .44 S & W "DA"s and "SA"s were made for Black Powder Cartridges....none were approved by S & W for use with 'Smokeless'...

Originally the Black Powder .44-40 Cartridge was only one 'Standard' Cartridge and one Standard Loading, and any small variations within this were of no importance...

The .44-40 was the same Cartridge for anything chambering it, but, over time, this changed, and with the advent of Smokeless Propellants, and of erstwhile Black Powder Rifle Cartridges changing over to Smokeless, the Rifle Cartridges proper became more powerful, began having Semi-Jacketed Bullets, and the Rifle Cartridges could then be unsuited and too powerful for the early Black Powder era Revolvers.

This happened with .32-20 also, and people ruined a lot of lovely old .32 -20 Revolvers firing 'Modern' Era Smokeless Rifle Cartridges in them.

Ideally, just stay with Black Powder Loads for your old "DA" S & W Top Break .44-40.

If you want to shoot same Loads in a Revolver as you describe using in your Rifle, get a modern Colt S.A., or an Italian reproduction 'Colt' Single Action Army, and use it.

All is well then! And no worries...


"Trail Boss" or other bulky weaker Smokeless Propellants might be alright if used properly for the actual Antique Arm in question, and Loading Tables should be available for them, for a range of .44-40 Loadings, which would be safe for Antique Revolvers.

Personally I do not load any kind of Smokeless in any Black Powder era Revolvers, mostly because the original Loadings are the most fun, realistic, actual, and satisfying, but also, because I am automatically 100 percent "Fail Safe" this way with no chance of any over-pressure events.

SAAMI pressure Limit, so far as I can find, for .44-40 in older Arms, is 11,000 PSI.

Some info here -

44 Winchester "Two Peas In A Pod" - ANSI/SAAMI Specs

Trailboss is your friend if one wants a smokeless powder.

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Randy

Black powder is a gradual pressure building reaction. That’s why it “ Shoves” so hard with full loads. Smokeless builds pressure very fast and requires that you make ZERO loading errors or the charted pressure will spike!
I am intrigued by the 5.5 grain Trail Boss resulting in the low 7800 PSI max? Getting the Frontier DA or SA to pattern shoot is difficult with full black powder loads in the rifle case of the 44 WCF. It shoves hard And the grip frame is small. So maintaining the same grip and hold is difficult. Not an easy problem to solve. Mellowing out the full load would help a lot!

Murph

Murph
I have used Trail Boss in my 45-70, my .43 Mauser Arisaka 6.5, and 45 Colt. It is a great alternative to black powder. I even converted my Rossi break action Muzzle loader to use it makes hunting the muzzle loading season a breeze. It looks like little donuts I honestly don't you could overload it. Hodgen advises if they do not list your cartridge simply mark a case to where the base of your bullet would be fully seated this becomes your case capacity then work up from 50% to 75% of this capacity this powder is never compressed. If I were teaching a new reloader this is the powder I would use as it is impossible to overload it.

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Randy

I collect documented S&W failures, but have none for the 32-20 so would love to have your information to add to my notes.

As for the comment that Trail Boss "might be alright", I do and will state that what I load is significantly less pressure and absolutely less stress on these old guns than original black powder!!! I will never understand why there is no understanding of the facts with regards to the old wives tales that are passed on for over a hundred years without without merit of facts or documentation!

Standard literature of the era and references today is that black powder loadings runs at 22,000psi in rifles and 14,000psi in handguns. That would make my Trail Boss loads over 35% under stated original BP ammo available in the late 1800s. I can and will state that full power BP loadings actually are much harder on the 44 DA than Trail Boss. So before you load and shoot your revolver, get the facts, do the research, but the answer is obvious.

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Gary
SWCA 2515

I don't think that statement is strictly true. It is impossible to "double charge" Trail Boss, but there are warnings not to create a compressed load. I believe the reason for that is that Trail Boss is made of little doughnut shaped flakes and that compressing it squeezes out the extra volume created by the holes in it. But as long as you follow the guidelines and never exceed the volume under the bullet you should be okay. Here is Hodgdon's loading procedure: https://hodgdon.com/wp-content/uploa...780.1608495503

Here also is an article written by Mike Venturino from Handloader Magazine on using Trail Boss. https://www.handloadermagazine.com/trail-boss

At one time there were a lot of bulged .32-20 barrels reported in print and www. There were various theories, some pretty outlandish. Are there any new ones?

Yeah,
That’s amazing! Bulging a 32-20 barrel? Even 32-20 antiques have a lot of metal thickness. I’ve seen just about every caliber antique pistol with a bulged barrel except the 32-20.
Every bulge has been attributed to “ obstruction” of some sort. Long list there! Even hollow based bullets are documented as separating and leaving a ring of lead in the barrel. I’ve actually seen that occur from poor lead casting? Even the core of a large caliber pistol lead bullet separating in the bore. Almost like gutting it? And leaving a chunk of lead in the bore. Happened to me once with my 45 Auto-rim S&W revolver. I got lucky because part of the bullet fragmented and jammed the cylinder at the forcing cone, or I would have sent another round down the tube. Funny thing is the recoil of the failed round felt normal! That really is one of the major reasons why I stick with black powder with antique pistols is obstruction. Black powder will not spike with obstruction. It will continue to build pressure normally . I’m not saying black powder can’t bulge a barrel! It definitely can but the obstruction must be significant! Like a stuck bullet! Smokeless can bulge a barrel from a minor obstruction or excessive residue, grease, run up case, etc. black powder will normally push that through without damage!

I honestly think that folks expect way too much from lead bullets. You really have to be careful with smokeless loads and lead or you will most definitely get bullet fragments in the bore that will cause obstructions. Gas checks help but jacketed rounds are much safer. Antiques should never see that kind of pressure and won’t if original powder loads are used!

Murph

After a few initial trials with smokeless in 44-40 and 45-70 I could see no benefit to going any further. I have access to and shoot more black powder in just about everything outside of obvious cartridges like 9mm, .40, .45 ACP/AR, .223, etc. I am currently in an open ended argument with a shooting buddy as to whether or not I can shoot black powder through my 38-55 better than I could shoot smokeless. I find that difficult to believe unless I choose to take his bait and go to the effort of finding out. My answer is basically why when black powder does so well, his reply is "Well you'll never now unless you try."

Rifling worn away, and stretched Frames being suggested by over large Cylinder to Forcing Cone gaps.


Yes, Trailboss might be alright.


I did not relay any "Old Wives Tales"...

Nor do I subscribe to any.

I had said I myself stay with Black Powder for any Black Powder era Revolvers I happen to load for.

No one was referencing or discussing "your" Loads.

I had suggested the OP refer to Loading Tables for Trailboss and to distinguish Loadings for Rifle, from those for Revolver.

I do not use Trailboss to be able to positively state first hand about it's use...or what Loadings of it, would suit the Arm in question.

So my sense of it was and is, "Trailboss might be alright"...and for the OP to go review Loading Tables for it, with the appreciation in mind, that the Arm in question is not a modern reproduction Revolver, nor a Rifle.

The instances I had come across were mostly prematurely worn out bores, and stretched Frames, from using modern Rifle .32-20 in early 20th Century S & W .32-20 Revolvers.

I have personally seen quite a few bulged Barrel 32-20 S&W K Frames and Colt 'PPS's, which I did took to have been from obstructions occasioned by the lodged Bullet of a "Squib" Load not being cleared prior to firing the next round.

I have seen more bulged Barrel .32-20 K Frames and .32-20 Colt Police Positive Specials, than I have seen bulged Barrel anything else ( Gunshows, Gunbroker )...why this would be? Who knows...sloppy Home Loads I guess!

The only thing I know of which would do that is someone firing on top of an un-cleared Lodged Bullet from a "Squib" round...with the following shot possibly being a 'Rifle' Round.

It is hard to imagine that standard .32-20 Revolver Rounds would do this, but, who knows, maybe they could.

I have also seen older S & W Revolver Barrels with six perfectly nesting 32-20 or 38 Special Bullets lodged in the Barrel, one right into the other, with no bulges, and milled out from the side neatly so one could see them.

I have not tried this myself though...Lol..

Does "modern rifle" mean current production at 1210 fps rifle; the 1975 listing of 1350 fps rifle, 1010 pistol (yeah, right) or the hot stuff 1850 fps rifle which seems to have dropped out of production around 1960, although we are daily warned against it?

But why so prevalent in .32-20? The wildest theory I know is that one of the HV Rifle Only loads has such slow burning powder that pressure bleeds off at the revolver cylinder gap and the bullet just runs out of gas. I don't credit it, but I did read it on the internet.

Kinman,
I can't imagine why you would even think about working up a Smokeless load if you have those kind of shot placements? Why bother?

These rifle cartridges in a pistol honestly present a significant problem no matter what you are using. Just not a lot of versatility in the rifle casing. Even the 32-20 could be loaded way too hot for a pistol with smokeless powder and lead bullets. Any modern 32-20 pistol in my opinion if you are going to exceed 1000fps? You need a jacketed round or you risk bullet separation and heavy leading in the bore. You don't have that problem with Antiques and black powder.


Here is a photo of the bullet or what's left of it from my Smith & Wesson 45 Auto-Rim revolver. These were reloads of 235 grain Semi-Wad cutters loaded with 4 grains of Bullseye powder with soft lube and roll crimp. Standard large pistol primers from Remington. I had probably shot 30+ rounds prior to this happening. From my range log they chrono'd at 825FPS.
Also, I didn't cast these bullets. I bought them at a gun show...That's the last time I've ever purchased loose lead. I either cast my own or buy known and proven products in "full unopened boxes".

Notice that the core blew out? almost like a funnel? I was amazed by what I saw and kept what was left of the bullet once I punched it out of the bore at home.

I'm sure that the 32-20 can be loaded very hot in a pistol and typically hand loaders do so. Any obstruction could cause a bulge....So in the case of the 32-20? I'd put money on bullet separation from too hot a load using too soft a lead bullet. The hot round that followed had no place to go.


Murph

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Here is an excerpt from the Mike Venturino article on Trail Boss, that I linked to above (emphasis added on "factory loads"):

Anyone who has spent much time reloading large-volume handgun cases knows that smokeless powder orientation in the case at time of firing can be the culprit in ballistic variance. Here’s an especially noteworthy example considering factory ammunition for a caliber as small as .32-20: When friend Hank Williams Jr. visited some years back he brought with him a box of factory loads with 100-grain lead bullets and a Colt SAA .32-20 revolver. He loaded it with three rounds, handed it to me and said, “First shoot it uphill.” That’s safe to do at my place, so I did. The muzzle report was the customary loud blast of a .32-20 revolver. Next he said, “Shoot it level.” I did and the muzzle blast had a muffled sound more like a small bore shotgun. Last, it was aimed at the ground as if I was going to shoot a rattlesnake a few feet away. When I did the report sounded like pizzz. The bullet stopped a few inches into the Colt’s barrel with a clump of unburned powder behind it.

To say I was dumbfounded is an understatement, so I insisted we try it again in a different revolver. The same thing happened – and it happened every single time we continued the process. So something else handloaders benefit from with the use of Trail Boss, this most “fluffy” of all pistol powders, is ballistic uniformity.

OK...I'll admit that when I got my first 32-20 S&W I did fool around with some smokeless loads, I wasn't happy with just enjoying it with 100gr. lead either. I tried some 85gr. Hornady hollow points and pushed them a little over 800fps and was happy with the accuracy in my Winchester '92 and continued to load them a bit hotter for that rifle, staying with lead in the Smiths and keeping speeds down.
Thank you, I feel his argument falls on deaf ears from every direction. My black powder friends understand, the smokeless guys ain't got the same soul.

I feel bad that it may be my fault that .44-40 'Loading' related thoughts ended up drifting in to .32-20 'Loading' thoughts!! Lol...

What they have in common of course, and how this got going, is that they both began as Rifle Cartridges, which soon on got chambered as Revolver Cartridges also - and, when this duality was still in the Black Powder era, and Lead Bullets, it was Mox Nix...no misadventure was probable or known to occur...( other than maybe firing on top of a "Squib" ).

But with the advent of various 'Smokeless', and Semi-Jacketed Bullets, and "High Velocity Rifle" Cartridges in these Cartridges, leaving BP era Revolvers in a new situation, things were not so simple anymore.

Long Cartridge Cases can indeed have odd things go on, when being used with small amounts of Smokeless...just as you relay! - depending on if the Arm is pointed decidedly "up", or level, or pointed "Down"...or point UP, tap soundly, then gently to 'level' as some people suggest one do.

'Trailboss' indeed sounds like a fine Propellant option for the old Hand Guns.

But I myself for having stayed with Black Powder for my various BP era Revolvers, have no personal experience with it, nor testimony about it, to speak of it first-hand.

thanks gentlemen for all your wise words
in fact I'm a BPCR shooter or better a user
my collection goes from 1869 till 1894, I use all this" old iron " with nitro for some 45 years ,I have not a grain of BP in my house for these approx 50 units from all over europe and us even japan (murata 18 )
I cast bullets and reform cases for the old irons as we called them here
my only revolver has serial 104XX can you give me the age of production?
greetings from Jarmann

Jarmann,
Can you please be more specific regarding powder loads? What "exactly" are you using for Antique guns in "Smokeless" loadings that have been safe for 45 years?

Example:

Caliber: 38 Smith & Wesson
Bullet weight: 147 Grain
Bullet type: Round nose
Lead content: 16-1 Lead/Tin
Primer type: Federal Small Pistol
Exact powder load: 14 Grains FFFG Goex Black Powder
Compressed? : Slight
Type of crimp or no crimp: Roll crimp
Range performance: 2" pattern at 20 yards distance from Model 2 D/A Top break with 5 " barrel.

Your description Reminds me of the Pig hunting story about how this fella shot a pig 6 times with a 44 Mag and "The pig kept coming"....

Not with my 44 Mag with my hand loads he didn't.

Please "specify" your "SAFE" Smokeless loads?


Murph

I'm not going to say anything except that I recommend that anyone considering the use of Trail Boss in antique firearms use a simple Google search: "TRAIL BOSS use in Antique Firearms" and read it for yourself. Make up your own mind. See what the manufacturer of the Powder has to say about the use in Antique firearms?


Murph

for the bpcr 's I use Accurate xmp 5744 and Vihta 110
most of the dies com from ch4D or rcbs ,a good basic reforming case is the.348 win and the 50/90 , but now we are very far from my starting post
so I repeat my question perhaps there other heathens like me on this forum?
to the historians I hope to find out the year of construction of my old piece with serial 104xx on the gripframe ?
so I will wait, I have more patience than money
greetings from the flamisch lowlands by the sea
Jarmann
PS: my user name is also same as my 2 favorit swedish rifles
or the name of one of the norwegian engineers

Please post us some good clear images of these two Arms?

Also, what kind of Cartridge Cases are you using?

Greetings...In this part of the world the term BPCR (Black Powder Cartridge Rifle) is directly at odds with the use of smokeless or nitro powder. Smokeless powder is not allowed in any BPCR competition I am aware of. The Cast Bullet Association is not concerned with the use of smokeless but BPCR is just that "Holy Black", no duplex loads either...
Merry Christmas

My use of the phrase "Modern Rifle" was careless, sorry.

Lets instead elect the phrase "High Velocity".

When the .32 - 20 was still a Black Powder Cartridge, there were no confusions about which Load for Revolver and which for Rifle, and the Rifle Load and Revolver Load were the same, and with no worries.

Maybe!

I'd suspect more likely a Home-Load "squib" followed by a 'Hot' round...

It’s an amazing thing really. How often we blow off manufacturers warnings?

Directly from Smokeless Powder manufactures;

NEVER SUBSTITUTE SMOKELESS POWDER FOR BLACK POWDER OR BLACK POWDER SUBSTITUTE

That’s in big bold print on various SMOKELESS powder Manufacturers warning pages!

So I’d say the Manufacturers Are not on board with smokeless use in “Antique” firearms! That’s good enough for me.


Murph

sorry for pictures ,I don't now how it works ,I have no camera , in fact I'm a computer illiterate , but there is lots of info and pictures on the Jarmann's on the web
I agree with all of you ,I'm a sinner butt lucky for me I'm not alone .
have a good Xmas
Jarmann

Jarmann,
I don't think anyone ever answered your question regarding date of manufacture for your Smith & Wesson Frontier Double Action with serial number range of 104xx?

The Double Action Frontier began in it's own serial number range beginning with serial number 1 in about 1886 and ended with serial number 15340 with the last of them shipped in about 1913.

I can't give you an exact date but if yours does not have the logo stamp on the right side of the frame? It's pre-1898. If it has the logo stamp it's 1898 or later. If it has a caliber stamp on the left side of the barrel? it's post 1902.

Ed has floor records and can tell you the exact date of assembly if you give him the full serial number.

Merry Christmas

Murph

the logo is on the right ,no caliber stamp on the barrel serial 10449
Jarmann

In reviewing the Vihtavouri N340 Load data for .44 Special, and comparing it to the loading you mention - I would have to think the load you propose for .44-40 in your Smith & Wesson Top-Break .44, would be too strong of a Load.

Handgun reloading data | Loads for pistol calibers | Handloads | Pistol powders | Reload your own ammo - Vihtavuori

I will share a load that I have found to be safe and yet satisfactory, closely resembling the original In a Uberti repop and some original Colts .427 bullets are not too small. In a Uberti repop the .427 bullet works best, over 30grains of Olde Eyensford 3F/.060 wad with an Overall Cartidge Length of 1.580 using a Winchester Large Pistol Primer. You could easily subsititute 30grains of Swiss 3F and expect a cleaner ignition with slightly less fouling. You can also substitute any Large Pistol Primer, these things have such a hard primer stike there is rarely a problem with not getting hit hard enough.

8 gn of N340 gives approx a speed of 870 fps and 10800 cup according my list
Jarmann

This statement is inaccurate.

Trail Boss is a fast burning pistol powder that is bulky. It should NEVER be confused with or labeled as a "weak powder" when it comes to burn rate or the pressures it produces.

9.3gr will fit into a 44-40 case with a 200gr bullet and produces 15,182psi, 4,000psi beyond the 11,000psi max., with velocities at a low 1,200fps from a carbine.

However, slower burning fast burning powders like Reloder 7 don't have enough time to fully burn when used in revolvers thus the pressures remain low with a case capacity load like black powder, as well as poor velocities.

ANY name brand commercially manufactured 44-40 cartridge is safe for any firearms chambered for it that is in good operating condition. The reason why modern 44-40 factory ammo is so @#$%^ weak for this very reason.

For some reason folks are not "stupid enough" to shoot hot 45 Colt loads and Hot 45-70 loads in weak action firearms but yet I guess folks are too stupid to know the difference when it comes to the 44-40 hot loads. Same rule applies.

Colt and most other revolver manufactured didn't "approve" smokeless powder loads in revolvers until 1909. Why? Know one knows for sure, all speculation...but I can assure you that the very thin cylinder walls are a hell of a lot weaker than any rifle's action.

By 1909, revolvers were using "normal" smokeless loads while Winchester's Model 92' rifle was using "High Velocity" factory loads since 1903.

Same rules apply today when it comes to loading 44-40 for use in revolvers vs rifles as it did in the 1920's and 1930's.

Sharp once wrote in his 1937 hand-loading manual...

" The 44-40 is capable of excellent performance when loaded properly for handgun use. If, however, one endeavors to combine loading for both handgun and rifle in this caliber, he is destined to meet with only mediocre success. As in all other dual-purpose cartridges, the factory loads are only a compromise at best. Smokeless-powder loading for handguns requires a much more rapid-burning type than loading for rifle use, as the short barrel must burn all the powder if satisfactory results are to be achieved. In addition, rifle cartridges can be loaded to a pressure of about 30,000 pounds in this caliber, whereas the same load in a revolver would be more or less disastrous."

For example:

If your goal is the best velocity from a revolver, keep the following in mind.

When the moon, stars and all of the planets line up perfect...

(20" carbine length testing barrel)
9.3gr of Trail Boss produced only 1,250fps at the highest pressure of 15,182psi while 26.5gr of Reloder 7 produced 1,432fps at a much lower 11,373psi.

There is certainly more than one way to skin a cat but sometimes history is the best policy.

Pistol powders have always been dangerous when improperly used in 44-40 handgun loads but are best for 44-40 handgun applications when black powder is not desired. Both Bullseye and Unique have been around since 1898 and 1900 of which both perform extremely well in the 44-40 handgun application.

On a side note, back around 1909 (ironic date?), the US Government's loading machines kept dropping an occasional "double charge" of Bullseye in their M1909 45 Colt loads. Most of the time they would blow the gun with the first shot. DuPont came up with a replacement powder called RSQ. One could fire six consecutive double charged 38 caliber loads before it got ugly. Being "rescued" by DuPont, Major K. K. V. Casey requested it be called "RSQ"......Resque! The powder was dropped two years later with the Model 1911.

44-40 smokeless powder transition years
44 Winchester "Two Peas In A Pod" - Smokeless Powders Transition Years

So, this relates to the Revolver in question...how?

You assert that all and any High Velocity Semi-Jacketed or other .44-40 Rifle Cartridges of today, ought to be just fine for the OP's Revolver, since according to you, all present day 'Factory' Loaded .44-40 Cartridges are loaded to for use with any 1880s, 1890s S & W or other Black Powder era Revolver?

Or, am I missing something?

Yes, you are missing something. Go back and read my entire reply one more time. Read it slow, re-read it again till it sinks in.

No, I never said (or asserted) HV loads were good for revolvers. Where did I say that?

Notice the space between poorly written paragraphs. Typically means the subject changes or is slightly different. The HV remark was to show the huge, gigantic difference between what was available for use in revolvers vs what was available for use in strong action rifles.

I do hope you read the warning labels before you use stuff.

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You said it in your Post.

You said all and any present Factory .44-40 are safe in and made for use in, all and any Arms chambering them.

Here -

Here is the relevant quote-

That is correct, where is high velocity 44-40 loads mentioned regarding currently manufactured by name brand manufactures? This is what I was accused of stating.

Winchester? Remington? Federal?

Anyone?

Come to think of it who , currently, commercially manufactures 44-40 loads that exceed 11,300 psi?

Some interesting info here regarding the early Winchester 'HV' Cartridges -

44 Winchester "Two Peas In A Pod" - Understanding Winchester's 44-40 High Velocity Loads

Well,
Actually, peak pressures will vary significantly between one firearm and the next. That's why published Time/Pressure/Curves really "must be" very specific regarding the "exact" firearm tested.

So when we look at PSI peak rating? Or old Term C.U.P. pressures? It's specific to one "specific" firearm only. Especially if we are talking about smokeless powder! I honestly think that here in lies where folks get into a lot of trouble playing around with smokeless loads and antique firearms. They see one charted Time/Psi curve and think its applicable to all firearms in that caliber. NO WAY!!!!!

If we take one cartridge that is loaded identical to the next and use that same cartridge in a 4" barrel Pistol? Maybe chamber pressure would be less than 11,000 PSI but that same exact cartridge used in a rifle? Absolutely no comparison. The peak pressure would be significantly greater, which also translates to a much increased velocity output. A time/pressure curve is specifically applied to only 1 specific firearm.

Even though smokeless powder is engineered to a specific application? If you change "anything" smokeless powder performance will change dramatically from the exact same cartridge.

This basic principle is also applicable to Black Powder. The longer the barrel, the more Peak pressure is generated and the faster the bullet will travel. Given the exact same cartridge, bullet, and powder type and load is used.

If you start adding variables like semi jacketed, full jacketed, hardened bullets and Black powder rifling? You’re treading on thin ice with the antique! Pressure spikes will be extreme!


Murph

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