Can you load BP on a progressive?

Just thinking out loud.

Been thinking about getting into BP a bit. I would like to load up a bunch of 45colt with BP for my Rugers but am used to loading on my Lock and Load.

Is it possible to buy the Hornady (or Lyman or whatever) BP powder measure and just manaully cycle the powder measure after I raise the ram on the press?

Or are BP loads strictly a single or turrent press proposition?

I don't know if you can or not, but I personally think it is a bad idea.

BP is not nearly as safe to handle as smokeless powder, and getting a few grains of it from a powder spill caught in a progressive might lead to:

A series of unfortunate events.

I'd much prefer to keep it simple and out in the open, with the powder handling operation completely away from primer seating, etc..

rcmodel

single stage is the best way to go. get two loading blocks. i use a dipper for the powder. only thing you have to remember on bp there needs to be no air gap between the powder and bullet. I use a 2.2 lee dipper with goex 2f. then seat the bullet firm to it. i am using a lee mold 228 grain lead cast bulllet. a 2.2 dipper gives me about 35 grains of Goex. Which gives it a very good load. You will like. Now if you wanted to put less powder then you need to use a filler like cream of wheat or oatmeal.

oh back to the two loading blocks. i put one on each side of the press. then put all the empty cases in the left. then seat on the primers putting them on the right. Then i charge them all putting them in the left side as i charge. This prevents a double charge (which is impossible anyway). or oops i forgot to charge that one. When they are all charged. i put them up onto the ram and seat a bullet one at a time putting them on the right.

You'd have to be very careful, and meticulously clean up spilled powder. But Hornady's case activated linkage will work with their BP measure on any progressive press that takes standard dies. I would also look into a benchtop air ionizing blower used to control static in electronic assembly. Make sure there is adequate humidity too. Avoid using compressed air to clean up.

Andy

Why not try 777 ,same smoke more power and much cleaner and safer.

Black powder is way to sensitive to friction to use on a progressive IMHO. On a single stage, be very careful that your powder measure has been designed and tested for use with black powder.

--wally.

I have never loaded BP but shoot it and load smokeless on a progressive. I vote for bad idea. Do BP cartridges have to be loaded with a drop tub or is that just a "best practice" to get rid of air gaps?

Thanks for the advice all.

I shall pass on the reloading via progressive and if I decide to get a BP powder measure, I will stick with single stage.

What about turrents? Would that be safe enough? I don't have a turrent but would like to find an excuse to get one.

they dont have to be loaded via a drop tube. i have done so using dippers. after i pour in the powder though i use a small powder measure to press the powder down to get rid of air gaps and compress the powder

Not my call, but would be hesitant of static issues. There is a reason bp drop tubes are longer. Your world-your call. Good luck be safe, Bob