Velocity

November, 1917

Hunter-Trader-Trapper Magazine

Dr J.H. Snook

There has always been considerable discussion about powders ever since the loading companies begun putting out what they were pleased to call " High Velocity" loads. Three loads are ordinarily referred to by writers as

“ Low Pressure " smokeless is mentioned as such as it gives a low pressure in the gun when fired and which is about the same as the black powder load gives. For this reason such loads can be safely used in black powder rifles. While the pressure is kept down so is the velocity and the chief advantage of this smokeless is the reduced recoil and clean burning.

" High Velocity ” is simply a term used by loading companies to indicate that it is loaded so as to give greater velocity. These loads do give it too, but they also give greater pressure, although the latter is not mentioned. This increased pressure is not so great that the more modern black powder rifles will not hold it but it is always advised that such loads must not be used in the older makes. For the same reason High Velocity loads can not be safely used in revolvers.

In factory loads of 25-20, 32-20, 38-40 and 44-40 the sharpshooter smokeless is the powder commonly used for the low velocity loads and to get the high velocity this is increased . For the 25-20 seven and one-half is about the load for the low pressure while nine to nine and one- half is used for the high velocity. Other calibers in proportion .

In the larger calibers as 32-40, 38-55 and 45-70 a light load of " high pressure" powder is used to get the high velocity load.

The above criticism is correct for some powders but not for others. The article in which this was first mentioned had reference to such cartridges as could be used in revolvers. 


So basically when reading these old articles, one must try and interpret "meanings" based on definitions used at the time of the article rather than definitions we may use today.


Replicating Original 1,325, 1,300fps, 1,565fps and 1,370fps Velocities

By Bryan Austin

The 44-40's "Hot Rod"

Sharp once wrote in his 1937 hand-loading manual...

" The 44-40 is capable of excellent performance when loaded properly for handgun use. If, however, one endeavors to combine loading for both handgun and rifle in this caliber, he is destined to meet with only mediocre success. As in all other dual-purpose cartridges, the factory loads are only a compromise at best. Smokeless-powder loading for handguns requires a much more rapid-burning type than loading for rifle use, as the short barrel must burn all the powder if satisfactory results are to be achieved. In addition, rifle cartridges can be loaded to a pressure of about 30,000 pounds in this caliber, whereas the same load in a revolver would be more or less disastrous." Thus the reason for modern mediocre factory loads using pistol powders."

Did any English scholars out there notice the content that this was written? Although I am no scholar, this is written in a way that leads one to believe he is explaining that the 44-40 rifle loading has always been the lead role during that time-frame and that people were having issues with loading the revolvers, 100% reverse than is done today. Today, it is the revolver that is the lead role with pistol powders and the rifle loads that have mediocre success. 

That wording meant that the rifle was king with rifle smokeless powders and the revolver needed help. Revolvers needed to use the new formulas of fast burning pistol powders to re-achieve their black powder performance. Lets change the wording of Sharpe and see how it will look with today's powder and loading standards.

Hypothetically...

" The 44-40 rifle is capable of excellent performance when loaded properly for rifle use. If, however, one endeavors to combine loading for both handgun and rifle in this caliber, he is destined to meet with only mediocre success. As in all other dual-purpose cartridges, the factory loads are only a compromise at best. Smokeless-powder loading for rifles requires a bit slower-burning type than faster-burning loading for revolver use, as the longer barrel allows more time for the slower burning rifle powders to burn enough powder if satisfactory lower chamber pressure results and original 1,300fps or greater velocities are to be achieved. In addition, revolver cartridges can be loaded to a pressure of only about 11,000 psi for weaker action rifles and closer to 18,000 psi. for stronger action rifles."   

I do load my rifle powder cartridges in my revolvers but like Sharpe explained, velocity is compromised and results are notably slower than when using pistol powders. By the same token, using pistol powders in rifles creates less velocities at greater pressures than when using the appropriate rifle powders..

Sharpe goes on to continue and explains that a wide range of bullets are available but one must slug his barrel and measure the slug carefully.

I know we all know "Velocity" is not always a priority and is not always needed especially if it results in poor performance or creates too much pressure. With all of that aside, I wanted to test some smokeless powder loads to replicate original 44-40 Smokeless Powder velocities and 1903-1938 high velocity loads. Why? Because modern factory loads only achieve 900 to 1,050 f.p.s. in a rifle. Basically, the historical velocity for the 44-40 smokeless powder is 1,300fps for normal factory loads and 1,570fps for high velocity factory loads. Technically, Black Powder loads were 1,325fps, Smokeless Loads 1,300fps and HV loads (1903 to 1909 "low Pressure") 1,500fps and (1910 to 1938 "High Pressure") 1,570fps.

I finally tested enough loads to develop a pattern. Further H.V. testing will be mainly done with Jacketed bullets like the Winchester 200gr JSP and Speer's 200gr SJHP. I will also try to use more 2400 and Unique since this appears to be the most popular combination.

Just be aware, referring to pressures....that these are my test results and may or may not be correct. 11,000psi is SAAMI max. Tread lightly and understand that if you desire to use a higher pressure in any weak action firearm like revolvers and Winchester 73' types, you risk catastrophic results with both weapon and body parts. A controlled environment was not maintained during testing. Testing was performed outside with temps ranging from 19F to 50F, rain, fog, clear, wet, etc. You can certainly still use them as a guide since they are, nevertheless, fairly consistent.

**WARNING: You can not load the 44-40 for "velocity" with just any powder and bullet. One can far exceed max pressures LONG BEFORE high pressure signs are evident. 21,000psi tests show signs of flattening of primers. 21,000psi far exceeds 18,000cup. Doubling max pressures for revolvers and weak action rifles**

Data gleamed from Winchester catalogs and dissected cartridges. Velocities for normal loads are consistent advertised from 1895 @ 1,300fps to 1,310fps by1949 to 1,190fps by 1979. 44 WHV M92 loads started out at and advertised 1,500fps in 1903 to 1,564fps by 1925 to 1,570fps by 1938.

Dupont No. 2 charges are fairly consistent while the Sharpshooter charges dropped for both normal loads and HV loads over time. Ball/Flattened ball charges also decreased while flake powder charges seamed consistent. 


Handload Charges as compared,

Keep in mind that old data used Winchester .4255" JSP and .424" (42498)/.427" (42798) lead bullets while modern data uses .429" Speer SJHP and .429" (427098) Lead cast bullets.


Dupont No. 2 - 


Sharpshooter -


Ball Powders -


Flake Powders;


1. Unique, 1937 - Winchester JSP .4255"


2. Unique, Lyman 49th - Speer .429"


3. Winchester 231, Hornady 2016- Hornady .427" Lead