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Pressure Curve Cowboy Ammo

rhmc24
Is there factual info as to the difference between the pressure curve of cowboy ammo compared to standard? Ballistics, for example, .44 Special standard and cowboy are very close, within 5 to 10 units in bullet weight, velocity and energy. In shooting the two, the cowboy seems a bit less noise, recoil and much dirtier than the Special. If pressure curve info is available, I would appreciate the info. One wonders why a cowboy round exists, considering the rarity of "cowboy type" revolvers in that caliber.

EDIT Revived in hope of a knowledgeable expert reply.
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Comments

11 comments

Date Votes
  • rsnyder55
    My only guess is that the sport was developed to allow shooter with the western style guns to have a sport in which they could use them. Ruger was making modern version of the western style guns in more modern calibers such as the 44 magnums.

    To protect the targets, partcipants, and spectators, maximum velocities were established.

    I noticed my Winchester cowboys loads are very smokey. I guess this was to enhance the western experience.
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  • Hawk Carse
    Cowboy Action Shooting is a fast growing sport, there are a lot of old and reproduction revolvers and carbines being put into use.
    The sport does not call for a lot of power to ring a steel plate at 10 yards. A lot of shooters are new to any shooting sport and are a bit averse to recoil. Hence, "Cowboy loads" that don't kick much.
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  • v35
    Large revolver cases need the pressure of full loads to burn cleanly or they are smoky and leave unburnt grains in the guns, sometimes binding up revolvers.
    Light cowboy loads allow easier rapid fire.
    Colt only made about 24 SAAs in 38 special and noone made rifles so it seems like cheating to see this caliber used extensively in both rifle and revolver.
    Full power black powder loads in 32-20, 38-40, 44-40 and 45LC would be more authentic.
    This sport is now international with plenty of interest. It would seem to justify reintroduction of the 44 Henry Flat rimfire which would be a whole lot cheaper to produce and really authentic.
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  • rsnyder55
    Originally posted by v35

    Large revolver cases need the pressure of full loads to burn cleanly or they are smoky and leave unburnt grains in the guns, sometimes binding up revolvers.
    Light cowboy loads allow easier rapid fire.
    Colt only made about 24 SAAs in 38 special and noone made rifles so it seems like cheating to see this caliber used extensively in both rifle and revolver.
    Full power black powder loads in 32-20, 38-40, 44-40 and 45LC would be more authentic.
    This sport is now international with plenty of interest. It would seem to justify reintroduction of the 44 Henry Flat rimfire which would be a whole lot cheaper to produce and really authentic.
    [/quote}

    I agree. They download the cartridges for SASS to the point there is no recoil and shoot them in pistols and rifles modified to race guns to get the fastest times. Hardly authentic for a group that prides itself in authenticism. Back then, stopping power is what was wanted. Now it is poof tink, poof tink.......
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  • rhmc24
    I'm sure the collateral info is informative and interesting to some but what I seek is pressure curve comparitive info of cowboy ammo and the standard loadings. I mentioned .44 Special because that is what I shoot but the same info on other calibers would suffice.

    Any info or leads as to where I might find it will be much appreciated. Thanks
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  • ruger41
    You might not find that info because the ammo makers aren't going to disclose much more than FPS and FT/LBS so you may have to do some testing of the ammo yourself using this software.
    http://shootingsoftware.com/pressure
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  • pip5255
    best source for technical info is the manufacturer or handloader that made the ammo your trying to compare.
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  • Hawk Carse
    Many handload data sources have Cowboy and Standard sections.
    That is probably the only data you will get, the manufacturers will only confirm that they meet SAAMI specifications. Their exact load and pressure "curve" might well be different next month as they get in a new shipment of powder from a different low bidder.
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  • rhmc24
    Thanks for additional thought on the subject. I will pursue it and post here if I learn anything useful.
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  • v35
    What possible interest can pressure curves of pip squeak loads have?
    Light charges in big cases,I suspect, should produce large standard deviations.
    Are you building plastic guns?
    Collaterally speaking: you can build a strain gage system with transducers every inch or so and generate your own data.
    Ohler has such a system.
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  • rhmc24
    Curiosity is good enough reason for me but there is a difference in pressure propagation in explosives. Like the difference between a jerk and a steady pull. An explosive with an instant pressure build-up might be best for mining or cracking rock while one with a slower expansion would be better for propelling a bullet down a gun barrel - or sending a rocket on its way.

    I suspect cowboy loads are designed to start the bullet with an easier push to protect the old and marginal guns that some users employ.

    As a teenager (1930s) I desperately needed black powder for cap and ball pistol shooting. Made up a batch from highschool chem lab using potassium chlorate rather than p-nitrate. Blew up a good gun. Later I learned I had made blasting powder. Live and learn. That is reason enuf for me to pose my question.
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