1858 converted to .45colt... jacketed bullets or no?

[m48shooter]

i started this question in a different post, i converted and 1858 bp .44 with a krist kit to .45colt... btw these are not drop in kits, and took a bit of fitting and tuning, but i have always enjoyed this being an amuter gun monkey... thank you again charlie for the volc thread... if you have not read it.. do so now... he is a man among men

i have not slugged the bbl, anyone know the bore dia for bp .44's, i have 200gr jacketed flat tips .452 that i am planning on running through it at standard colt pressures, but think i heard some where not to run jacketed bullets through the conversions....

so far i have only run soft lead cowboy loads through it.. great shooter, but have a nice stash of the jacketed bullets and need to know if i should just buy lead only or if these will be safe to shoot..


thanks again guys...

[Ysabel Kid]

Who made your 1858? I am assuming it is a reproduction. I think I'd stick with lead bullets, or maybe a couple light-loaded jacketed fodder - just nothing stout. The gun, with its top-strap, is a stronger action than the Colt 1860 Army, but still, it was never designed for anything near modern heavy .45 Colt loads.

Now, if this was an "1858-type", i.e. - the Ruger Old Army - it can probably take more!

[Hobie]

Slug the bore. Stick with lead. Keep the loads down to those piddly factory levels. IOW, no hot-rodding that gun.

[Lefty Dude]

Slug the bore, it can be .449"-454". They were made to shoot .451" or .454" lead balls.

If it is a Pietta, most likely a .449"-.450"

A uberti, .451"-.452"

I would not shoot jacketed bullets. If it were a Ruger OMA, they are stout enough.

[Doc Hudson]

Stick with lead bullets at blackpowder velocities.

in fact it would be a good idea to stick with the black stuff.

I believe that most if not all conversion cylinder makers tell you to keep pressures down. Correct?

[m48shooter]

1858 pietta repro... was someone's kit gun the shop put in the back knowing my bp sickness... i run std cowboy lead loads with it... just wanted to know if i could run my 250 copper plated ft through it... not planning on hot rodding it, thats why i picked up the bh.... thx for the info gents, ill try to get some pics up....