Have reloaded smokeless powder for years, want to try some BP loads...

[the count]

Hi all,
just for kicks I would like to load up some 45 LC with black powder, specifically Goex FFFg. Now my understanding is that one can load up the case of these old type calibers completely, main thing being no airspace at all. In other words a compressed load.

Would this be correct and if so, what to do if you just want some milder cowboy loads? I saw one fellow on youtube who just topped of the cases with cornstarch...

 

[Jimster]

You are correct. No airspace. You can also use grits for filler. Be sure to use black powder compatible lube like SPG or something similar. You could also use ffg to lessen the recoil. I use a full case of fffg Goex. I load 44-40, 45 Colt and 45-70. All I use is black powder in these cartridges. Have fun!

 

[jsickle]

I'm very interested in doing the same. So your saying the lube that comes on the purchased bullets won't work?
Or how about poly coated bullets will they need lubed or shoot them as is?
Thanks

 

[MEHavey]

You need a very soft vegetable-based lube Crisco (stiffened just a bit w/ beeswax.)
Boil off the commercial stuff and dip/lube with the Crisco.

Fill the case w/ 3Fg to the base of the bullet (plus just a tad to get some compression)

 

[Jimster]

Generally speaking, lube used for smokeless powder does not work well with black powder. Check with folks who made your pre lubed bullets.

 

[medic15al]

If you have the Lee powder dippers use the 2.2cc for a 35 grain by volume for Black Powder and you will get a full compression load eqaulivent to the original 1873 spec load. 2.5cc will get you at 40 grains and need to drop it from a little height to pack it in with heavy crimp. Actual old load and will thump on both ends! This is a 250 grn bullet.

Don't clean or use petroleum based cleaners on the pistol it will create a tarry mess. Ballistol is a great cleaner when mixed with water as it will clean the charcoal ash out well, when dried it will leave the Ballistol oil behind.

You MUST compress blackpowder at all times! Use a filler for milder loads.

 

[Dog Soldier]

Make sure you drop the brass in some mild soapy water. The B/P residue will foul the brass up rather fast. Clean the revolver with Alcohol and Murphy's Oil Soap right away.

 

[Wildfire]

I did this in my 1860 conversion. It was fun. Recoil was a tad stiff. Velocity was higher than any of my smokeless loads.
And yes you get serious thump at both ends. Problem I had was after 5 rounds the cylinder was just cruddy enough to took two hands to turn it.
As I say it was fun.
But I hunt with this gun and cannot see a thing after it went off.
I went back to smokeless. I like a clean gun but hate cleaning them that far in.
Everything else you heard here is dead on.
Have fun. .45 Colt.

 

[Chuck R.]

Generally speaking, lube used for smokeless powder does not work well with black powder. Check with folks who made your pre lubed bullets.

Agreed, the issue is BP suitable lube performs 2 functions:
1. Prevent leading
2. Keep the BP fouling soft

98% of my BP reloading was for 1874 Sharps and 1885 High-Walls and for Silhouette, Buffalo matches and 800-1000 yard matches. I did dable in .45Colt loads just because I could. If your lube doesn't do #2, you'll get #1 in spades. Generally, your BP (quality, lot etc.) will dictate how much compression you'll need to get a good clean burn (reduced fouling), this and a combination of different primers.

Most of the lubes are a combination of beeswax and an additive. I made my own for a while based on the Paul Mathews lube formula which actually worked pretty well:

2 parts yellow beeswax
1 part Pure Neatsfoot Oil
1 part Murphy’s Oil Soap
(easy to make in 8-oz batches)
1) Melt 4 oz of beeswax in the microwave. Usually 6-8 minutes is about the right time.
2) Stir in 2 oz of Neatsfoot oil when beeswax is melted. Stir until the mixture is lumpfree.
3) Stir in 2 oz of Murphy’s Oil Soap, stirring continuously as the soap is added. Again, mix until there are no lumps.
4) Pour into storage containers as soon as batch is well mixed.
Very soft and sticky. Will not melt in the sun, but works well in the cold, too. NOT suitable for pan lubing.

Easier solution is to just buy SPG lube from Midway USA.

Chuck

 

[Dog Soldier]

I have hunted with a Sharps Gemmer 45-110-500 for many years. I shoot a Lyman Postell over 100 grs. of Goex Ctg Grade 3F and a Poly filler. My lube is SPG.

 

[rsrocket1]

If you want to do some fun shooting, try Alliant Black MZ. It is not a good black powder substitute for serious muzzle loaders, but it works fine for range blasting. The irregular grannuals meter terribly in a powder measure but it generates a lot of smoke, is easy to ignite and can often be found on sale or clearance for $10/pound. Since it is a volumetric substitute, fill the cartridge with the powder, seat the bullet firmly into the powder and shoot. It is very easy to clean. I use CLP in my inline to clean it but I also use a dry patch between shots so you might need a dry patch between cylinders too. The very best BP substitute is Blackhorn 209, but that stuff is expensive, hard to set off and generates so little smoke you might as well use smokeless powder.

 

[the count]

Not sure if I understood the lube postings correctly....
If I use a 45 cal. FMJ or plated bullets over the BP I assume no lube is needed, only with plain lead....???

 

[Wildfire]

Correct. With lead use Natural lubes as has already been said. Petro and BP do not like each other.