black powder (or substitute) shotgun shells

[USAF_Vet]

I've got a 12 gauge reloader, primed shells, shot cups, filler, and various shot to load up a bunch of shells. What I don't have, is powder. No one else around me has any in stock, or at least when I stop by.

What they do have, is black powder and the various substitutes (Pyrodex, etc.) For use in front stuffers.

I know back in the day, all shells were black powder, but I don't have any loading data.

I also need to know, once I do have a recipe, is how much fouling to expect. I got rid of my muzzle loaders because they were a pain to clean. How bad would it get in a pump or semi?

 

[USAF_Vet]

The semi auto is a recoil operated gun, so no gas system to get clogged. Just concerned about it getting into the action. To play it safe, might just stick to non-repeaters if using black powder or subs.

Anyone have 12 gauge 2.75" black powder data for 8 shot?

 

[blue32]

Unfortunately, I dont have any first hand knowledge but

I looked into doing it with 28ga for the same reason, but with brass shells. I was informed to use the same volume of BP to shot. That's volume not weight, so don't load up the equivalent weight of an ounce of shot. The volume of BP needs to take up the same volume of shot in the shell. I know that you will need filler wads to both buffer the shot and ensure proper crimping depth as well as an over shot card if you go the brass shell route.

Seeing the cost to set up for BP I grudgingly bought a flat of 28ga so I ended up not getting components but the info is out there on forums. From what I read, I would go with Triple 7 if you can find it for ease of cleaning.

Looking through Handloader Mag #267, there is an article specifically for 12ga BP loads but of the several loads listed, I only see them for brass and paper shells. CBC brass shells use large pistol primers and RMC brass uses standard 209A primers.

If you really wanted to do it I would buy 50 brass shells and go from there. I dont know anything about loading plastic hulls but a google search will return a few who do.

 

[Sunray]

BP is going to do exactly the same thing to a pump gun or semi-auto that it did to your ML's. I'd rethink the BP idea.
However, I think my Lyman BP Handbook and Reloading manual has shot shell data. I'm not at home though. And there's this for CAS doubles.
http://www.jspublications.net/tips/BPLoading.pdf

 

[Ifishsum]

A pump gun would be pretty easy to take off the barrel and clean it. Easier than a closed-breech muzzleloading rifle for sure, but no less important.

I haven't seriously tried loading BP shotshells but it seems the powder will take up more space than smokeless - might be a challenge finding a wad that allowed for that and still let you crimp properly. But it sounds fun to try...years ago I loaded a couple with Goex to play a prank on my buddy - I didn't know what I was doing (and he was a pretty new shotshell reloader himself) but it was a very smoky result without much power. He was pretty well puzzled for half a day about it

 

[blarby]

1st hand knowledge :

Grab an adjustable shot dipper. You'll need one anyway, this is as good a use as any.

The "rule of thumb" is of equal charge by volume shot, and powder.

I use 1 1/8 oz #6 lead shot per the measure, and the same amount of volumetric measured black powder.

Take a primed hull, add in the powder. I use goex.

Use an appropriate cardboard wad, and pack it in TIGHT against the powder.

Immediately add the same volume of shot, and crimp TIGHTLY.

I've never used plastic wads for BP.

For whatever its worth, the person who taught me how to make black powder shells this way swears that the rounded cup of the bottom of plastic wads can allow an air bubble between the powder and the wad- which a plastic seal can prevent escaping against a plastic hull. Blackpowder + room for expansion= bad. He's been making BP shells for longer than I've been alive, and I have no reason to doubt him.

I've never had a misfire using the BP paper/cardboard 12wads and CCI209 primers.

A final word of caution :

When you are learning this process, getting the crimp right is very important. If your crimp "loses" hold, and you have a shifting of contents in the hull- DO NOT FIRE IT.

 

[USAF_Vet]

Sunray, thanks for the link.

Blarby, your post will be extremely helpful.

I think I'll stick with non repeaters for the BP shells. Looking forward to cooking up some smokey loads for the family range day.

 

[wxl]

Loaded black powder for a friend 15+ years ago. Do not remember recipe but I used a card and roll crimped

 

[USAF_Vet]

My press is set up for a roll crimp with a shot card, so I'm all set there.

Buffalo arms makes some factory BP loads. I might buy and test a couple boxes from them before I roll my own.