Which conversion cylinder?

Thumbcocker · Oct 18, 2015

I am looking into getting a conversion cylinder for the Old Army that lives here. It looks like there are a couple different brands out there. I would appreciate any suggestions. Also the sellers seem to want you to limit the loads to "cowboy" types. I would not want to magnumize the Old Army but I would like to be able to load standard pressure smokeless loads.

Any advice or experiences would be appreciated.

Hondo44 · Oct 18, 2015

I can't advise you on conversion cylinders because I don't use any.

However, I can advise on 44 Spl loads. Cowboy loads are standard pressure loads. So you can shoot any standard box of factory 44 Specials off the shelf and feel perfectly safe, they don't have to say "Cowboy Loads" on the box.

The cyl makers are warning about staying away from any "souped up" 44 Spl loads like Winchester defense loads, Buffaloe Bore, Corbon, and the like. If you reload, you don't want "Skeeter Skelton or Elmer Keith loads".

k22fan · Oct 18, 2015

I don't usually catch Jim making such obvious errors. Sticking with his stingy budget nature Bill Ruger built his Old Armies using .45 Colt barrel stock. Consequently all conversion cylinders for them chamber .45 Colt.

Making due with .45 Colt barrel stock is the reason ROAs use a larger ball than all other .44 cap and ball revolvers.

I read the conversion cylinders are for SAAMI spec. pressures and no more. SAAMI .45 Colt pressures are a very low 14,000 psi MAP.

Big Old Boy · Oct 18, 2015

I was once advised that the cylinder with six firing pins is best if you only load five a broken pin would still have five working cylinders.

Hondo44 · Oct 18, 2015

k22fan said:
I don't usually catch Jim making such obvious errors. Sticking with his stingy budget nature Bill Ruger built his Old Armies using .45 Colt barrel stock. Consequently all conversion cylinders for them chamber .45 Colt.

Making due with .45 Colt barrel stock is the reason ROAs use a larger ball than all other .44 cap and ball revolvers.

I read the conversion cylinders are for SAAMI spec. pressures and no more. SAAMI .45 Colt pressures are a very low 14,000 psi MAP.

You're right! I did know the ROA is a 45. I just finished posting on that other thread about shooting 44 Russian in 44 spl chambers and was still stuck in 44 mode. I actually just mean cowboy loads not specifically 44.