Bullseye Smokeless Powder Transition Years

Pistol Powders for the 44-40 Revolvers

I am still a bit unsure of dates this powder was first used for the 44-40,...still researching. Sharpe's 1937 handloading manual offers information that suggest folks were still unaware that the pistol powders were better for pistols rather than using rifle powders for pistols. 

1898 Laflin & Rand Revolver Powder

During 1898 L&R's (red label) "Revolver Smokeless Powder" was introduced and discontinued, in favor of Bullseye (blue label) during the same year. However, a magazine article mentions a new release of the powder in 1901. The only red label examples of this powder tin, so far observed, have a paper label overlay glued to the back for "Bullseye". I am still searching for an original "Revolver Smokeless Powder" can without the Bullseye label. 

Further down this page are examples of the later blue and yellow cans of Bullseye.

1901 New Version

A new version reported in a magazine article was to be released during late 1901. This could be the second version or could be a third version.

L&R Bullseye...

...was introduced in 1898 to replace L&R's "Smokeless Revolver Powder.

 This is one of those powders that had several types. There were two or three versions of Bullseye, the first of which was known as Bullseye #1 or “dust” Bullseye.  L&R Bullseye #2 was supposed to have been brought out in 1904 as small round black discs .038” dia. X .003”, ostensibly because there were insufficient quantities of #1 to meet demand. It contained 40% NG. This Bullseye #2 is what we identify today as Bullseye, and is believed that it has not changed formula since its introduction in 1898. It went to DuPont in 1907 and to Hercules in 1912. Bullseye, Unique, and Infallible were all made from the same formula, the only difference being granulation.2 It is still manufactured by Alliant in 2007. ~Klaus Neuschaefer

This could be the very reason why Winchester ammunition and Colt firearms had problems with smokeless revolver loads in both 44-40 and 45 Colt revolvers until 1909.  The smokeless powders were evolving very fast and although Winchester did not use pistol powders for the 44-40 production, it was not until 1909 that Winchester Ammo boxes label dropped the "Not For Pistols" warning for 44-40 pistol use. It has also been said the Colt did not advise the use of smokeless powder for the 45 Colt until 1909 as well.

• 1898 - Introduced

• 1898 - reported reformulated

• 1901 - reported reformulated and released late 1901

• 1904 - L&R Bullseye #2 reported released during this year.

• 1907 - Transferred to Dupont this year

• 1912 - transferred to Hercules this year

• 1995 - transferred to Alliant this year

1898 (no 44-40 data)

1902 (no 44-40 data)

  Laflin & Rand's “flag in wreath” logo had been used on the powder cans since early 1896 and was a registered trademark by April 1902 . Sometime in late 1902 DuPont acquired Laflin & Rand and operated it as a subsidiary and fully absorbed it by 1907.  Laflin and Rand was finally dissolved by DuPont in late 1912. The Laflin and Rand name had not been used since July of 1909, as a result of the successful Federal anti-trust suit for its prior Powder Trust activities in the GTA.

 While the 30-40 Krag was designed using the first smokeless powder, W-A .30, by the government... Bullseye became the powder for use in the army’s new .45 caliber pistol (Colt New Service 1898-1946). Although Colt had made it known from about 1900 to 1909 that they did not recommend using smokeless powder in their revolvers, this warning has yet to be seen on the handloading data of these cans. Although Winchester did not use pistol powders in their 44-40 factory loads at this time, and although Winchester's Dupont No. 2 loads in the 44-40 cartridges produced less pressures than black powder loads, Winchester opted to publish the "Not For Pistols" warnings on their 44-40 smokeless powder cartridge boxes from 1900 to 1909.

Post 1912 (4.5gr)

by 1926 (7gr)

note: just because the old standard was 4.5gr does not mean that 4.5gr of the old powder only produced 6,000cup

by 1927 (7gr)

by 1937

1937 Sharpe - Complete Guide to Handloading

1937 (6.6gr @ 15,000cup)

Note that Winchester did not use Pistol Powders for their 44-40 production. However, it was used by handloaders and available from 1899 to present. Continue further down for Bullseye 44-40 and 44 Magnum tests.

Late 1930's to at least 1941

Although the graphics changed somewhat over the few decades, these are the general design cans used.

TODAY'S LOAD DATA

6" Universal Receiver, 1:20" Twist .428" Groove

• Today's Load Data - #427098, 205gr Cast, 6.5gr, 962fps @ 12,700cup

                   Lyman's Pistol & Revolvers Handloading Manual, Page 177 thru 178