powder capacities?

[colonelhogan44]

Hello all,
I have been lurking for a while now just reading up and learning, but finally decided to ask a question that I can't seem to find an answer to.

I recently took my first dive into the world of black powder with a Remington 1858 from cabelas (online). I just bought the gun and figured I would get all the accessories locally. Come to find out, none of the shops (that I have gone to anyway) in my area really stock any black powder supplies worth speaking of. I was able to find pyrodex, balls and dynamit-nobel 1075 plus primers, but that is about it. I'm going to pick all the stuff up at Cabelas in Fort Worth when I go back to Texas this fall. Until then, I have a few questions.

How much powder does it take to fill the cylinder all the way up, level?
I read somewhere that a .38 special case holds about 24 grains, and if that is the case, I am guessing that maximum capacity is around 50-60 grains?

Secondly, I would like to know approximate volumes of such cases...I would like to have a set of ghetto powder measures. I have been using a charge of a .44 magnum case filled level to the brim and would like to know about how much I'm putting in. It seems to be a good load, stout recoil fairly good accuracy and lots of fun. Does anyone know the capacities of some common calibers (.38, .357 mag, .45 ACP, .44 mag, 9mm, 40 auto) offhand or would be willing to measure them?


Thanks again for all the knowlegde I have already gained simply reading. I think I have been bitten by the BP bug.

 

[Smokin_Gun]

colonelhogan44, welcome... Don't have all then metalic carts. around anymore and haven't for some years. But I know that a 45 Long Colt is a bit bigger than a .44Mag and the 45LCholds 35gr with a 255gr boolit in it so it proly holds 40gr...makin the .44mag about 35 to the top...a healthy load.
.357 or .38spl work in a .44 C&B chamber=24-28gr of BP. 9mm-.38spl work in a .36 C&B=17-24gr BP. .22 Hornet cases for .31 C&B about 7-10gr BP.

What area are you in? Find a Bass Pro or a true Gunshop every body carries powder measurers...good luck and hope that helped

SG

 

[colonelhogan44]

I'm in the Fresno, CA area. All the local shops have a healthy supply of rifle powder measures, 5 grain increments between 60 and 150 grains don't really help all that much. :banghead:

I just don't want to be running way too much powder in my loads, but instincts tell me that when the gun was designed the cylinder would be sized so that overcharging was just not possible.

 

[Smokin_Gun]

Yor right on the not being able to over charge a BP Rev Cylinder. You can't blow one up using Black Powder, fill it till you have just room for a ball and press it down tight.
I have a brass came with a funnel attacted, 5-120gr volume adjustable.

I'm down the 99 a ways in Palmdale...

SG

 

[nicholst55]

Check out Track of the Wolf for everything you'll ever need for shooting black powder!

http://www.trackofthewolf.com/

 

[mykeal]

Track of the Wolf, and many other internet retailers, carry adjustable powder measures that go from zero to as much as 100 grains.

I don't have any problem with using casings for powder measures, but your flexibility is limited unless you start cutting down rifle casings. And you will need an adjustable measure to be able to tell what each one holds if you start modifying casings.

I'm a bit of a nut about accuracy, and full chamber loads are almost never the most accurate ones. The ability to modify your loads for different conditions (target, distance, projectile, etc.) is one of the great things about shooting black powder, and an adjustable measure is mandatory for that ability.

I haven't answered your questions, so I haven't been much help, but perhaps I've nudged you towards taking a step in a different direction that will be more beneficial. Get to know and trust the internet retailers as most of us here have. The world of bp shooting will open up tremendously.

Track of the Wolf

 

[Voodoochile]

A .45ACP case will hold 28gr. FFFG.
A .40 S&W case will hold 20gr. FFFG.
A 9mm case will hold 15gr. FFFG.

 

[mainmech48]

If you want a one-stop sourcebook for things muzzle loading send $5 to Dixie Gun Works for their catalog.

 

[colonelhogan44]

Thanks Voodoochile, that is exactly what I was looking for. Now, does anyone know what the capacity of the cylinder is when completely full (uncompressed)?

 

[Voodoochile]

Thanks Voodoochile, that is exactly what I was looking for. Now, does anyone know what the capacity of the cylinder is when completely full (uncompressed)?

Now that I would have to find out, but just remember if you are using empty cartridges as powder measures or dippers that you have the powder over flowing the cartridge & then just level with either the flask spout or a flat edge, this'll give you consistent volume of powder for shot to shot accuracy.