CARTRIDGE CONVERSION CYLINDERS

[EDELWEISS]

Ive been thinking purchasing a cap an ball revolver and a conversion cylinder.  So I was "wundering" if you all had any experience with different models.  The Ruger Old Army is no doubt the strongest but is it really capable of handling anything beyond cowboy loads.  For that matter are any of the other combinations up to regular off the shelf ammo.  Im not talking 454's stuffed into 45colt cases, just regular factory rounds.  I dont reload so thats not the issue, it just would be nice to be able to use the same various ammo that I use in my other guns.  No +P stuff either.

Im not fixated on the 45 vesrions only, in fact the 38's are interesting and cheap to shoot as well as the 32 pocket model.

It seems obvious  to my aging brain that the Remmys with the top strap are stronger than the open top Colts; but then I think of the Walker and get all confused.  Yes I know its all about pressure, so whats the deal?  Its a shame they dont make a cylinder for the DA Star model, then I could have the best of both worlds, a historic design ahead of its time  and modern center fire ammo.

Ultimately if I ever get around to this project, I probably look around for a cheap used Old Army if such things exist.

Im looking for your thoughts and experiences with them.

[Flint]

I've put together several, Uberti Colt Navies with both Kirst and R&D, a drop-in in an Uberti 1860, 7 Remingtons, Uberti and Pietta, Kirst 38 and R&D 45, and two SS Rugers.  They all work well.  The hottest loads I've fired in any were with 777 powder, which with a filled case of 45 Colt feels like a magnum, I shot that in the ROA but I would hesitate to use that in a thin walled Remington cylinder.  The factory "Cowboy" loads such as Black Hills or Winchester are recommended by Kirst and R&D, don't go hotter.

The Navies, both Remington and Colt type require the use of Hollow Base bullets to open up to the 375 bore diameter, I use 148 gr HBWC from Remington or Speer, the Hornady bullet leads the bore.  Unless the bore gets relined, I't's harder to find factory ammo in the Navies, as most factory wadcutters seem to use double-ended WC.