After reading the thread on Dave Thomas and his old school hunt I have renewed my itch to take out my old school 1847 Colt Walker revolver and carry it on a hunt. I have owned the Walker for over 20 years and I carried it several years in hopes of a shot on a Whitetail but I never got the opportunity. The gun has been idle on the shelf for quite awhile. What I need is some load advice. My current load is 60 grains of Pyrodex P with a .454 round ball (141 grain weight). I have never chronographed this load but I will sometime soon. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks Dave for the kick in the pants to go old school.

I have killed a couple of does with my Uberti 1858 Remington, my first advice would be to chuck that Pyrodex in the garbage and get you some real black powder(Goex, Kix, Olde Eynsford)and keep it 50yds or under.

Billa,
that sounds like a cool gun to hunt with, although i know nothing about that particular revolver, i would also suggest close shots and put it in the goodies and you will be succsessful. 60 grains of powder sounds like it should move a round ball pretty good

billa,
Many, many years ago I owned a Remington New Army revolver, I never hunted with it (nor chrono'd it), so can't speak to the effectiveness of it in hunting. My load was 30 gr. of FFFg and it sure blew up may a milk jug and such.

And if memory serves the .45 Colt started life as a black powder cartridge shooting 30 - 40 gr. of black powder (depending on where you read it), also the .44-40 shot 40 gr. of black powder, the .30-30 30grs. All killed many a 4 legged, as well as 2 legged critter.

I'd guess that 60 gr. of BP should do it. The .454 round ball is lighter and less aerodynamic than a conical type slug, so I'd keep the distances short and maybe do some penetration tests too.

It would be a great challenge,and a greater accomplishment.