I think not!
Check out Mike Beliveau's results:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LP_dwo2nThAhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVmYRePzoOQAnd check out these results as well:
http://poconoshooting.com/blackpowderballistics.htmlI have a Ruger Old Army, and I know it doesn't need a reduced charge of Triple 7 to be safe. I'm not positive that it needs to be reduced in a repro either as Hodgdon's site does not say what others have often claimed it says, which is the need to reduce the charge by ~15% for safety. What it does actual say is that it needs to be reduced by 15% to replicate black powder loads, which I'll assume means standard Goex as the little testing I've seen done, Triple 7, Swiss, and Olde Eynsford all give very similar velocities with the same volume of powder.
Another misconception I see mentioned often about Triple 7 is the need to lightly compress it. If you look at what it says this is only true when loading cartridges. For loading percussion/flintlock weapons it states to "firmly" seat the projectile. I've emailed Hodgdon's a few times asking for clarification on both issues, but I never heard back from them.
Regardless, with a reduced charge and mild compression a 255 grn FN bullet nearly reached 500 ft/lbs.
I have ordered a custom mold that has 2 cavities that will drop a WFN bullet of 285 grns for hunting things that may want retribution, as well as 2 cavities that will drop a 195 grn WFN that's a mere .460" in length so as not to take up valuable powder capacity. As this is near RB length a similar charge should be available.
I'm anxious to try the 195 grn bullet, as well as the 170 grn bullet the mold will also drop. Pietta seems to rifle their .44 cal pistols with a slow 1:30" twist, which may very well be why so many claim their pistol just doesn't shoot conicals as well as RB's. Maybe these will shine where others have failed.
I've only been to the range once with my Remington '58 so I need to check it's accuracy with RB's to get an idea of how well/bad it does with bullets.
If you use an energetic powder like Swiss, Olde Eynsford, or Triple 7 you can surely get way above .38 Spl power levels as I've often read about.
