Black powder with Lee Loader classic

[Mataham]

Hi,

I was recently tempted to load black powder ammunition with a Lee Loader Classic. I read somewhere around here a discussion about the security issues involved. Quote:

Hammering a ball in a case loaded with smokeless powder with lots of air space between the powder and the ball is one thing. But hammering a bullet on a column of black powder seems to me a very bad idea. Really bad. There is no airspace in a Black Powder round. You sit the ball directly against the powder and squeeze it while placing it. The black powder MAY be inflamed by a concussion.

Some people have argued that BP is ultimately quite stable and will not ignite that way. I thought it was a good idea to send the question to Lee Precision. I finally got my answer:

Yes, you can use your 357 Classic Lee Loader with black powder.

I'm still not ready to try, however ... Has someone ever tried this?

 

[Fyrstyk]

I wouldn't do it, but it's your option. Just take a small amount of BP, put it on a concrete step or walkway, and smack it with a hammer. You will need to get a new hammer, and you may also get some shrapnel, from the concrete afterwards. Heavy, quick compression causes heat, and if hot enough will ignite BP. As kids, we used to take powder out of fire crackers and smack it with a hammer. We only did it a few times before we got smarter.

 

[Englishmn]

Shouldn't have to hit very hard.
No harder than most people tamp a ball down in a muzzle loading rifle.

 

[Mataham]

I don't think I will do it for now. On the aforementioned thread, someone gave some tips in order to do it safely:

I believe that loading BP cartridges with the Lee Loader hand tool strays from the manufacturer's intended use.
[In fact, Lee seems to tell otherwise.-Editor's note]

That being said, when I use that tool to load BP cartridges, I don't fill the case with powder. I leave ample space for an over-powder card and lubricated felt wad.

I put the card over the powder and compress with a dowel rod. Place the felt wad in next, then gently seat the round ball with a couple taps from a rubber mallet. Roll crimp the end with a few more taps and done.

The problem is: 38LC BP charge are already quite anemic... and I want to use .357 hollow-base bullet, so I want some force in order to take the rifling. So I won't wastespace inside my case for card and felt wad.

I think I'll use some Lee hand press with 38LC dies.