Chronograph

[KPH]

Checked the velocity at the muzzle on my muzzle-loading pistol came up with a average of 978.7. That is shooting 50gr 0f 109 and 250gr Hornaday SSTs. Ten shots with a low of 708.7 and a high of 1111 I know that is a heck of a spread.

 

[Wobblyshot1]

The high and low is questionable and I'd want to figure that out. I think the 980 and a 250 bullet should be fine out to 50yds or so. After all, there's been plenty of deer taken with 45LC, 44 special and even 44/40 at similar velocity and bullet weight with cast bullets no doubt. Maybe a XTP would be more suitable to your intended purpose.

 

[Stykbow]

Yeah, that's a pretty hefty velocity range. You shooting pellets or loose powder? I've heard the pellets aren't always exactly 50 grains, but I've never had a problem with inconsistency out of the myself.


If you're going to be stupid, you'd better be tough!

 

[KPH]

Yeah, that's a pretty hefty velocity range. You shooting pellets or loose powder? I've heard the pellets aren't always exactly 50 grains, but I've never had a problem with inconsistency out of the myself.


If you're going to be stupid, you'd better be tough!

That is 50grs of 109 Blackhorn I am thinking about going up to 60gr and see what happens.
I am also thinking my powder may have some age on it even tho 109 is suppose to last a long time.

 

[Stykbow]

Yeah, that's a pretty hefty velocity range. You shooting pellets or loose powder? I've heard the pellets aren't always exactly 50 grains, but I've never had a problem with inconsistency out of the myself.


If you're going to be stupid, you'd better be tough!

That is 50grs of 109 Blackhorn I am thinking about going up to 60gr and see what happens.
I am also thinking my powder may have some age on it even tho 109 is suppose to last a long time.

Well, duh! I guess I need to read a little closer. Could be old powder. I've heard of that, but never experienced it. Good luck working it out.


If you're going to be stupid, you'd better be tough!

 

[CHRIS WILSON]

Checked the velocity at the muzzle on my muzzle-loading pistol came up with a average of 978.7. That is shooting 50gr 0f 109 and 250gr Hornaday SSTs. Ten shots with a low of 708.7 and a high of 1111 I know that is a heck of a spread.

What pistol are you shooting? I have the CVA Optima V2 pistol. Currently shooting a 44 caliber, 225 gr Barnes XPB with a Harvester sabot and 90 gr of BH209 by volume. Average velocity was 1617 fps last I chronographed. The picture below was from my last range trip with it. It's only a 3 shot average but other testing I've done with BH209 and different bullets have shown similar results in velocity spread from what I can recall. Nothing close to being as wide as what you've posted.

 

[MUP]

Is there a recommended minimum starting load for pistols? Seems a tad low on the volume?

 

[KPH]

Is there a recommended minimum starting load for pistols? Seems a tad low on the volume?

Mine is a Traditions Vortex. They give a maximum load of 70gr of loose powder but nothing about a minimum. I have never gone any lower than 50gr so I don't know about a minimum.

 

[MUP]

Might try bumping it up 5 or 10 to see if the velocity levels out? But it's likely the older powder IMO as well.

 

[KPH]

I proved to myself that my powder was old now it is in the flower bed.

 

[Smo]

I proved to myself that my powder was old now it is in the flower bed.

:tu:

 

[Wobblyshot1]

Man, that's some expensive fertilizer.

Let us know your new velocity figures.

 

[KPH]

Man, that's some expensive fertilizer.

Let us know your new velocity figures.

It may be awhile before I get back to this project and also thinking about a differant powder.