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What load for Pietta 1860 Army?

Tue Jul 27, 2010 11:44 am

Hi all, I'm very new to Muzzle loading pistol shooting, and really need advice re amount of load.
I have been given/seen varying information as to how much powder to use & I'm more confused than ever!

I have an Pietta 1860 Army which I plan to shoot at my clubs indoor range. Therefore it has to be Tripple 7.

I have been told that I should reduce the black powder load (10-15 grains) recomended in handbook by approx 10 % = 13.5 grains? Then it was sugested that 18 grains would be ok. Then I read in a forum that filling the cylinder completly (including ball & wad) would not harm the gun! :?

Any advice/help would be greatly apreciated.

Roy.

Re: What load for Pietta 1860 Army?

Tue Jul 27, 2010 12:18 pm

Hi, what calibre is the pistol? I use 18grains of Henry Kranks fine grade powder in my .36 Remington New Army and 24 grains in the .44. I would talk to other guys at the club you shoot at and see what they do, but I think you are in the right area in 15-18 grains.

Re: What load for Pietta 1860 Army?

Tue Jul 27, 2010 4:38 pm

Thanks Squire, it's a .44 caliber by the way.

Re: What load for Pietta 1860 Army?

Tue Jul 27, 2010 5:19 pm

I used 24 gns Hodgdon 777 fffg in my .44 Uberti, it shot well with that load. :thup: :thup:

Alan

Re: What load for Pietta 1860 Army?

Tue Jul 27, 2010 7:57 pm

I use 30 grains of Swiss BP in in my Italian Remington 1858 .44 - I think the theory is that you cannot overcharge them as long as you are using BP/BP substitute. If you can get it in the cylinder and seat a ball it will be OK. - I would avoid going too light - a .44 ball bouncing back at you off the woodwork down range might spoil your day.

Re: What load for Pietta 1860 Army?

Tue Jul 27, 2010 8:20 pm

I typically use 30 to 35 grains of GOEX FFFG black powder in the 1860 Colt with a Honardy 0.454 round ball. I don't think that you can much more powder than that in a single charge.

The important thing to remember is to be sure that you seat the ball snugly on the powder charge. A gap between the ball and the charge could result in a bulged or blown cylinder. The Hodgdon site states that all Triple 7 loads are measured by volume not weight noted below.

"Triple Seven is a high energy product designed to provide the muzzle loading hunter with higher velocities when used in the same VOLUME as black powder. To duplicate a black powder load velocity using Triple Seven, you must decrease the powder charge by 15%. *See WARNING below."

The manufacturer's Hodgdon loading data for Triple 7 in cap and ball revolvers can be found at the bottom of the loading data page at this link. Remember all loading data is presented by volume as in the same volume of powder as you would use if you were loading black powder.

http://www.hodgdon.com/PDF/muzzleloadin ... CKBOX_1=on

Re: What load for Pietta 1860 Army?

Tue Aug 03, 2010 6:39 pm

Thanks everyone, I will be testing it out Thursday :thup:
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