Cap&Ball Ballistics

[Hrfunk]

Here's one for the pioneer in you!

Howard

https://youtu.be/Rsz_5XVACKc

[Sir Henry]

Not much more energy than a .22LR. Even thought you hit the villain it would not have incapacitated him. Still if it’s the only thing you can use it’s better than nothing.

[North Country Gal]

True, but those big .451 round balls leave a mighty big hole. Lots of cowpokes up on Boot Hill found that one out the hard way.

Hey, that was some great shooting, Howard! Fun video. Thanks.

[Hrfunk]

True, but those big .451 round balls leave a mighty big hole. Lots of cowpokes up on Boot Hill found that one out the hard way.

Hey, that was some great shooting, Howard! Fun video. Thanks.

Thank you! It's always fun to stoke up the black powder wheelies and sling some lead!

Howard

[Hrfunk]

I updated this test using Hodgdon's Triple 7. The results are quite interesting.

Howard

https://youtu.be/auzVlzr0jRg

[Vaquero]

Some of you may or may not remember, but a couple years ago I took a decent little buck at around 45 yds. with my 1858 revolver. At that distance the ball went nearly through the deer. I found the ball just under the skin on the far side.
So as he said you don't want to be one the receiving end of one of those, slow moving or not.

RP

[Conax]

I consider my 1858 .44 to be about like a .38 special as far as power. If I remember correctly the .454 balls weighed out at 140 grains.
It is easy to load it up to .38 velocities. Come to think of it, the felt recoil is similar to a .38.
Depending on the powder charge you can get between 110 and 290 FP of energy.
I loaded mine with 28 grains of 3F pyrodex, but I have a Taylor conversion cylinder now and mostly shoot .45LC cowboy stuff.