58 Caliber Round Ball Velocity

Semisane · 10-29-2007, 08:05 PM

Has anyone out there got muzzle velocity figures for a .58 PRB with various powder charges? Barrel length and twist are not real important - I'm just looking for some "ball park" figures that one might get withanything from 70 to 120 grains of Pyrodex or JSG.

frontier gander · 10-29-2007, 08:21 PM

In oneof my book, The Muzzleloading Hunter, It shows a .58cal charged with 110 grains FFg Blackpowder has a muzzle volocity of 995 ft lbs at the muzzle. However, I noticed this was with a 260 grain roundball. 260 grain ball in a .58 doesn't sound right. I thought the .58 was heavier than that.

Semisane · 10-29-2007, 08:33 PM

Man, that sounds like a pretty low velocity for 110 grains black. I wonder if it's based on a unpatched smoothbore musket?

The .570 Hornady balls I have are 277 grains.

Semisane · 10-29-2007, 08:40 PM

Got the following reply to my query on another forum.

Quote:

Lyman Black Powder Handbook & Loading Manual page 270 for .58 cal. RB, from a 32" barrel, 1:48" twist.

Pyrodex RS

70 grns=1231 fps
80 grns=1317 fps
90 grns=1378 fps
100grns=1439 fps
110grns=1538 fps
120grns=1638 fps

Thats more like it! For a minute there I thought I might need to trade in my Zouave for a slingshot.