Velocity and energy?

[Polar Man]

Hey gang, just curious what the average velocity is going to be for
my .50 Lyman using balls. Couldn't find anything with a search. The sweet load apparently is 55 grains ff bp and .490
balls. A ballpark figure is all I need, and foot pounds of energy as well.
Thanks!

 

[hakx]

Maybe +/-800 fps for a 174 gr round ball.....240ft/lbs (at the muzzle). Only a chrony will tell.

That was my gopher / plinking load, but would drop your deer if you kept your shoots under 30yards. Round balls really shed velocity.

Have fun, Hakx

 

[Smokepole]

What is your barrel length?

For a 28" barrel, the velocity of a .50 cal RB pushed by 55gr would be about 1360 FPS. Muzzle energy is about 770 FPE. Energy at 100 yrds would be about 315 FPE.

 

[Polar Man]

I think it is 28'', it's a Lyman trade rifle. I was planning on just target shooting with ball, if I ever hunt I will get some bullets. I am just curious about the comparative performance to modern cartridges.

 

[vagrantviking]

Smokepole, where did you find those numbers? I've never found data such as that for black powder and have wondered if they were out there.

 

[snowshoe]

According to Sam Fadala "Black Powder Loading Manual" 50g of 3f with a .490 round ball produces 1545 fps MV and 938 muzzle energy, from a Lyman Trade rifle. 80g of 2f gives 1680 fps and 1110 Muzzle energy.

 

[Polar Man]

Those are some impressive numbers.