I have been following this section of The High Road more than others, because I enjoy shooting a BPCR more than most of my other guns.
I have noticed the lack of instructions on loading BP into modern cases, so I am going to try to explain howI get 70 grains of black into a Remington case with a 555 grain bullet. This bullet is nearly 1.42" long, and requires nearly .675" of the bullet into the case.
As I describe the method I use, you will figure out the tools that are needed to do it my way.
Starting with fired cases, decap with a universal decaping die, clean them in soap and water, dry thoroughly and put them in a case shaker. Set the sizing die to neck size only. Bell the mouth of the case, just enough to allow the sharp edge of the bullet base to enter without shaving lead. Prime with your favorite method, I use a hand priming tool. My next step is a dot of note book paper over the primer hole; I do this out of habit, it hasn’t shown any gain in velocity or accuracy. Next weigh out 70 grains of BP, use a scale to start with, a measure will throw up to a 2 grain variation from one to the next, that variation doesn’t really effect accuracy, then dispense this charge into the drop tube (with the case under it) slowly, it should take at least 5 seconds. Now you insert the wad and compress the charge and wad to a depth that will allow your bullet to sit firmly on top of the wad and give you the OAL you want. I went cheep on my compression die, old .300 Weatherby sizer die with the stem removed and replaced with a ¼” bolt that has the corners removed. Now comes the bullet, seat it with care and stop seating when you feel the bullet stop moving. I use a customized Lee crimp die to finish of the operation (by customized I mean it doesn’t leave a crimp ring on the case, just a smooth taper). You now have a loaded .45-70 or most any other straight walled black powder case
The drop tube is the most important part of the operation, it will settle the powder into the case at least ¼” deeper than just dumping it into the case threw a funnel.
This is the method I use, I have done a lot of reading and a lot more experimenting to get to here, but it works and that is all I am after.
If you need a drop tube, they can be made from an aluminum arrow shaft and a funnel, or buy one at Buffalo Arms Co. or other places on line. My drop tube cost less than $10 and took about 30 minutes to build.
Compression dies can also be made as I did, or purchased at the above company.
I am expecting comments about some of my methods, and it may be helpful in the future, so let it happen.
I have noticed the lack of instructions on loading BP into modern cases, so I am going to try to explain howI get 70 grains of black into a Remington case with a 555 grain bullet. This bullet is nearly 1.42" long, and requires nearly .675" of the bullet into the case.
As I describe the method I use, you will figure out the tools that are needed to do it my way.
Starting with fired cases, decap with a universal decaping die, clean them in soap and water, dry thoroughly and put them in a case shaker. Set the sizing die to neck size only. Bell the mouth of the case, just enough to allow the sharp edge of the bullet base to enter without shaving lead. Prime with your favorite method, I use a hand priming tool. My next step is a dot of note book paper over the primer hole; I do this out of habit, it hasn’t shown any gain in velocity or accuracy. Next weigh out 70 grains of BP, use a scale to start with, a measure will throw up to a 2 grain variation from one to the next, that variation doesn’t really effect accuracy, then dispense this charge into the drop tube (with the case under it) slowly, it should take at least 5 seconds. Now you insert the wad and compress the charge and wad to a depth that will allow your bullet to sit firmly on top of the wad and give you the OAL you want. I went cheep on my compression die, old .300 Weatherby sizer die with the stem removed and replaced with a ¼” bolt that has the corners removed. Now comes the bullet, seat it with care and stop seating when you feel the bullet stop moving. I use a customized Lee crimp die to finish of the operation (by customized I mean it doesn’t leave a crimp ring on the case, just a smooth taper). You now have a loaded .45-70 or most any other straight walled black powder case
The drop tube is the most important part of the operation, it will settle the powder into the case at least ¼” deeper than just dumping it into the case threw a funnel.
This is the method I use, I have done a lot of reading and a lot more experimenting to get to here, but it works and that is all I am after.
If you need a drop tube, they can be made from an aluminum arrow shaft and a funnel, or buy one at Buffalo Arms Co. or other places on line. My drop tube cost less than $10 and took about 30 minutes to build.
Compression dies can also be made as I did, or purchased at the above company.
I am expecting comments about some of my methods, and it may be helpful in the future, so let it happen.
