[ABBlake]

Hi everybody, I just joined ten minutes ago so I could seek knowledge from ya. I was directed here by my gun shop guy for what he was humble enough to say, "I'm not a 100% but these guys probably are."

I just purchased an 1889 remington SxS 12ga with exsposed hammers and damascus barrells. I don't want to put modern ammo through this great piece of American craftsmenship so powder it is. I have never loaded ammo before but it seems to be as complicated or as simple as you wanna make it, if youtube is right.

I bought American Pioneer Powder, FFFG, on the shops recomendation. For the first round I'll be repacking unfired shells so primers aren't an issue yet, I'll be trimming the 2 3/4 shells down to properly fit the gun and shot (7 1/2) and wads are there too. So the big question is the only part left. How much powder should I be using? And of course, is this the right powder for what I'm up to?

P.S. The gun has been inspected by a proper smith and deemed fit to fire.

Thanks for your time,

Blake

[junkman_01]

I would go for a light load to start with. Load 2 Drams (55 grains) of 2f black powder with a 1 ounce shot load and have fun! :D

[Prairie Dawg]

This page has everything you need:
http://www.tbullock.com/bpsg.html

You can use a hand roll crimper or one of the new drill-press operated ones.
I've used both & for doing a lot of shells, you can't beat the drill press crimpers:
http://www.ballisticproducts.com/Original-Roll-Crimping-Tool-12ga/productinfo/ROLL12/

Also, Circle Fly Wads have good info for ya:
http://www.circlefly.com/index.html

Have fun.
--Dawg

[ABBlake]

Thanks alot guys, that helps a bunch.

[loose noose]

ABBLAKE, I use 70 grains of 3F and 1oz of shot loaded in AA cases using a cork type wad over the powder, and then the shot and crimp it on my Mec 600 press. Works good for me. You will have to check and see which thickness of the wad you are going to use. Felt wads are also ok to use. I've shot dove with these loads for quite a few years and they worked great.Circle fly Wads has reasonable prices on the the wads you'll need and an abundance of info. I also use a wooden dowel of appropriate size to push the wads down into the case.

[ABBlake]

That sounds great, thanks. I saw one video on youtube of a guy who cut down an emty shell for a measure. So his shot to powder ratio was 1/1. Is this a hot normal or light load? Or does that all depend on the grade of powder?

[scrat]

55 grains powder, followed by over powder wad followed by 3/8 fiber wad followed by shot fill to about 1/8 from top. put a over shot card use either elmers glue for the corners or beeswax. good to go...
this is using smokeless but photos are similar
cut to trim
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q77/scratm3/2-6.jpg
use a 4inch penney nail to tap out old primer.

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q77/scratm3/2w.jpg
put a primer on flat surface push start the primer in the case then tap the case down used a long rod to lightly tap down the shell
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q77/scratm3/sss.jpg
pour in powder press in wad
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q77/scratm3/2asa.jpg
now pour in shot
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q77/scratm3/asasas.jpg
now put in over shot card use elmers glue on edges or beeswax
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q77/scratm3/adsasasasasa.jpg

tools used
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q77/scratm3/nnnn.jpg