Load data

[SyLibby]

Forgive me if this has been covered. I couldn't find it in a search.  I recently picked up the Lyman Blackpowder Handbook 2nd ed. I was disappointed to find that there is no data for longer barrel lengths.  Can anyone recommend a source or book for data on a 44" 50 cal barrel?  Or any book that might cover long rifles in general?  Thanks

Scott

[Neven]

Sam Fadala ( no time sure of spelling) did a great blackpowder book where in the back of the book he test fires various rifles pistols with different loads and lists which ones were more accurate

[smylee grouch]

In that most rifles are different your best option is to develop your own data by shooting several different combos. Start out with about 60 + or - gr. 2f and keep record of your groups. Only change one variable at a time

[Jeff Murray]

You will get velocity variations from different barrel lengths but your best shot is to find an accurate load for your barrel and not worry about length.  As mentioned above, work up a load that gives you the best group and adjust that to center. 

[Daryl]

Lyman's first edition gave load data (velocities and pressures in LUP [lead units of pressure instead of copper]).  The data thus is not transferable to PSI (pounds per square inch)or CUP(copper units of pressure).  The powders today have seen seen improvements over that of the 70's and late 60's.

I find their .40 cal. and .45 data for a 43"bl. to be about 200fps short of what my 42" .40 and .45 gave me 3 or so years ago. I used GOEX 3F, while they used GO 3F.
Now, much depends on the loads used.  They used .015" ticking patches, while I used 10 ounce denim that I measure .0225" and .021" compressed. The different thickness
measured is due to using 2 different dial. calipers for the job.

Failure to create a seal, keeping the powder gasses, flames and pressure behind the ball, will also lower velocities.
I know I had a seal as there was .0085" to .009" compression of the ball & patch in the bottoms of the grooves. Picking up and reading your patches
if of vital importance. Blowby will be seen as brown scorch marks where the bottom of the grooves were located. This should be visible on the recovered patches.
Cuts or burnouts/incinerations need attention.

So - until you get a seal, or enough of a seal to shoot well, there is more experimentation to be done.

[SyLibby]

Thanks for the info everyone. Looks like I'm going to have to get my hands on a chrono. Been wanting one in general. I enjoy playing with numbers.

[smylee grouch]

You don't really need the crono to find a good load but knowing the numbers can be fun.     

[SyLibby]

Oh totally, agree. I've got a few of my various muzzleloaders dialed in.  Getting ready to build another one and thought it would be fun to geek out on it. lol I was really dissapointed that the Lyman manual had nothing useful, it isn't even useful for the modern 1:28 pretend muzzleloaders. lol

[Daryl]

I have no idea what happened to my 2nd edition, but it's gone - someone borrowed it - I have a feeling I know whom it was, too.
I recall it had some good stories in it. I don't recall that it had much useful information, though.
Knowing what your loads are doing is good knowledge, especially shot to shot velocity variations usually denoting most accurate loads.
It is also good to graph your loads if interested in drop, etc, at various ranges.  Of course, a lot of that depends on sight height about the
centre of the bore. Trajectories concerning round balls and the more common Minnie Balls, if one knows the velocity at the muzzle, then
you can chart at least out to 300yards.  If you know the BC (shown in the #1 book) you can use a program like this one to chart drop and
sight settings out to 1000yards. I use this one for my "other" guns & it is quite accurate.

http://www.shooterscalculator.com/

[SyLibby]

Yeah. That's what I'm looking to do. I want to get a better idea of trajectories before I get to the range to work on them.  And its just fun to look at.  I agree, the 2nd edition doesn't have much useful info really. Oh well

[Sharpsman]

Forgive me if this has been covered. I couldn't find it in a search.  I recently picked up the Lyman Blackpowder Handbook 2nd ed. I was disappointed to find that there is no data for longer barrel lengths.  Can anyone recommend a source or book for data on a 44" 50 cal barrel?  Or any book that might cover long rifles in general?  Thanks

Scott

Here's some important info reference longer barrel lengths:

Gives you a longer sight radius!!!!