BP Cartridge Charge Info Requested

[Foto Joe]

Since my wife inadvertantly got me addicted to the Holy Black by giving me a '51 for Christmas last year I've jumped into this with both feet so to speak.

Currently I'm playing with re-loading cartridges to as close to what I can find is original spec with black powder. Having been a re-loader of shotshells for over a decade I'm well aware of the dangers involved in an over-charge using smokeless powder. What I'm curious about though is if this is so for black powder as well when loading cartridges.

Basically I've been taught by some with a front stuffer to just make sure you don't put so much powder in it that you can't rotate the cylinder, then cap and fire!!

Same true for say 45LC?? The reason I ask is when I loaded 45LC with 40gr 3f and a 235 RNFP the thing was almost scary to shoot. I'd rather not damage a good gun.

 

[denster]

With black powder cartridges you want a a load that gives you moderate compression of the powder when the bullet is seated. With 45LC since we no longer have the ballon head cases this is right around 35gr of powder with bullets from 225 to 255gr. Some guys using compression plugs can get 40gr of powder in the case but it is an excercise in "why". In any case you won't hurt the gun with black powder loads as long as the bullet compresses the powder somewhat and there is no air space.

 

[Oyeboten]

Well, I DID get hoppin' on loading up some .38 S & W the other night, but, soon found my "once fired" Cartridge Cases I got on Gunbroker, are too chubby to even fit into the Revolver's Cylinder.

Have not found my re-sizing Die yet, for narrowing them down enough.

And I have not found my own, genuinely 'Once Fired' Cases from old factory ammunition I had shot.


This seemed odd to me, that the cases would be so fat.

I will have to guess, that the term 'Once Fired' in this instance, meant hot reloads, fired in over-size Chambers of some Revolver which was not like mine.


I have never seen any even hottish Loads or my own create Case diameters which would then not chamber nicely into the Cylinder.

Normally, I do not re-size any of my spent cases, since I am using chubbier Bullets, and if anything, the problem has been to have Cases able to accept them. ( For .45 Colt anyway).


If I ever get my Metal Lathe up-and-running, I will see about making or moodifying my own Dies ( when Steel ), for .45 Colt, to re-size Cases for accepting .455 Boolits snugly...and, for crimping them neatly.


I wish the Companies who make all the Dies, would offer some of them in a little variety of diameters for Old Guns or Odd versions of them, which have larger than usual Cylinder Bores and larger than usual between-the-Lands measures.


All the darned .45 Colt Die sets seem to presume .452 Bullets.

 

[BHP FAN]

Are you certain sure you are not trying to put .38 S&W into a .38 SPECIAL?

 

[Oyeboten]

Lol...quite certain, yes...Revolver is an S & W 4th Model Break Top.

But, just tried some .38 Special many times fired Cases which have not been re-sized, and by golly, if I were to shorten some of them, they'd fit "nice"..!

Factory .38 S & W Cartridges fit very well...might be that Mr. S & W happens to run a little snug is all.