ORIGINAL: Pglasgow
I like PB's idea of the single shot. Its barrel is alot longer than any cylinder allowing more charge and more time and more bore for the charge to accelerate the ball. Still, for a RB under900 fps, one should be prepared for performance on par with a bow, meaning , it may take a little extra time to kill the game.
I can help out here as I have a single shot pistol (inline style). 50 cal 12" barrel 209 fired.
Code:
Load Data
~~~~~~~~~
Name: .44 180 XTP 60 gr FFFG 777
Ballistic Coeff: 0.138
Bullet Weight: 180
Velocity: 1668
Target Distance: 50
Scope Height: 0.750
Temperature: 70
Altitude: 500
Ballistic Data
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Range Elevation Velocity Energy ETA Drop Max Y 10mph Wind Deflect
0 yds -0.75 in 1668 fps 1112 fpe 0.000 sec 0.00 in -0.75 in 0.00 in
25 yds 0.07 in 1554 fps 965 fpe 0.047 sec 0.41 in -0.19 in 0.28 in
50 yds 0.00 in 1447 fps 837 fpe 0.096 sec 1.71 in 0.15 in 1.11 in
75 yds -1.13 in 1350 fps 728 fpe 0.150 sec 4.06 in 0.80 in 2.69 in
100 yds -3.43 in 1263 fps 637 fpe 0.208 sec 7.59 in 1.79 in 4.88 in
Code:
Load Data
~~~~~~~~~
Name: .44 180 XTP 50 gr FFFG 777
Ballistic Coeff: 0.138
Bullet Weight: 180
Velocity: 1551
Target Distance: 50
Scope Height: 0.750
Temperature: 70
Altitude: 500
Ballistic Data
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Range Elevation Velocity Energy ETA Drop Max Y 10mph Wind Deflect
0 yds -0.75 in 1551 fps 961 fpe 0.000 sec 0.00 in -0.75 in 0.00 in
25 yds 0.15 in 1444 fps 833 fpe 0.050 sec 0.47 in -0.18 in 0.26 in
50 yds 0.00 in 1348 fps 726 fpe 0.104 sec 1.99 in 0.22 in 1.25 in
75 yds -1.34 in 1260 fps 635 fpe 0.161 sec 4.69 in 0.96 in 2.86 in
100 yds -4.05 in 1185 fps 561 fpe 0.223 sec 8.77 in 2.11 in 5.16 in
I can't find my data for the load I use but it's:44 cal240 XTP and 60 gr FFFG. 777. It has almost a 1000 ft lbs at the muzzle and hold the energy better than the 180 XTP does with the same charge. If I remember right it holds 700 ft lbs out to 100 yds but at 100 the drop is a little much. I can't believe I misplaced this file.[:@]I've not taken anything with it yet but I hope to try again inMid-January's late firearm seasonsince that's the only season it's legal here.
Speaking on the original question, I believe Cabela's sells a 180 gr conical for use in a cap an ball revolver. It would be a better choice than a ball but still a little too low even assuming a charge of 40 gr FFFG 777. 40 gr is probably overly optimistic since the conical would be longer than a ball. I'm not even sure if FFFG 777 is ok for use in a cap and ball. At best I'd have to say it's amarginal choice. It's not legal here so I've got no desire to see for sure.