teach me to build a 38/357 bp load

[Hawken50]

hello all. i have a 357 blackhawk and would like to play with some blackpowder (actually, i'll probably triple seven.) loads for it. both 38 and 357. just wondering what kind of bullets i should get. soft lead, hard cast or what? are gas checks needed or only necessary for serious shooters. i assume standard pistol primes will work. i'm not new to bp shooting, just new to blackpowder metallic cartridge shooting. they're just for play, nothing serious. thanks.

 

[Jim Watson]

Triple 7 fake powder is easy.
Fill the case up to the base of the bullet; no airspace but little or no compression either.
Seat and crimp a bullet; ordinary hard wax lubed bulk cast bullets are ok, no need for gas check, BP lube, or particular alloy.
Shoot.
Clean with water. They say tap water but a little soap, detergent, or Windex will help penetrate the soot. Dry and oil.

If you want to use real black powder, you must have BP bullet lube, compressed powder charge, and more thorough cleaning. But it smells better.

 

[Johnny Guest]

BP loads for modern revolvers

This is rally an easy one,

If you're using a Ruger Blackhawk, you can't get enouigh black powder or the equivalent into a .38 or .357 case to do any harm. I'd use whatever lead bullets you happen to have on hand. If I was buying bullets especially for BP use, I'd probably purchase Speer or Hornady swaged soft lead.

Gas checks are unneeded. Jacketed bullets are a needless expense. You won't be driving the bullets fast enouigh to worry much about leading.

I really don't know much about ignition properties of 777, but, if you use real black powder, I'd suggest you use a plastic or brass dipper or powder measure. No use in taking a chance of sparks. Also - - dunno about Pyrodex or 777, but true BP is extremely hydgroscopic (sp??) and quickly attracts moisture. Your modern, non-coprrosive primers will NOT negate the need to clean your revolver throughly and promptly after shooting BP. This danger is so real that the wonder is not that there are so many old arms in poor condition, but that there are some in very nice shape. Okay, I recall you wrote - -

not new to bp shooting, just new to blackpowder metallic cartridge shooting.

- - so I'm probably preaching to choir. Still, there may be some new enthusiasts out there reading this.

Before I retired, my agency would have night fire qualifictions every few months. I always threatened to load up a bunch of 158 RNL bullets over all the black powder I could get into a .38 case, and then manage to take a firing point on the upwind end of the line. I always hesitated because I didn't own a stainless steel DA revolver at the time. I still think it'd be a worthwhile project, though.

Best,
Johnny

 

[Father Knows Best]

I agree with everything Mr. Watson wrote. 777 is very easy. Just fill up the case, leaving just enough room to seat the bullet. Use cheap, wax-lubed hardcast bullets, or whatever you have laying around. I recommend magnum primers for better ignition, but they're probably not necessary. Then shoot.

777 is not particularly hygroscopic. In drier climates, you can leave a firearm that's been shot with 777 for weeks, and it will still clean up fine with no signs of rust. In very humid climates, I wouldn't try that, but I shoot 777 in my rifles and revolvers all the time in the humid Memphis summers, and I've never had a rust or corrosion problem even if I don't get to cleaning them that same day.

Using real black powder is more complicated only in that you need to use a BP-compatible lube. If you use wax-lubed bullets, you'll get extremely hard fouling very quickly that will throw your accuracy to h@ll and be very difficult to clean.

Also, the corrosive aspects of black powder are seriously overstated. Don't be afraid of it. Just clean your firearms the same day and you'll be fine. The best thing for cleaning black powder fouling is plain old hot water. Use the hottest water you can so any residue evaporates quickly. dry your guns thoroughly after cleaning, and apply a light coat of oil to protect them.

Have fun!

 

[Zeke/PA]

I had a Model 92 Winchester in .357 mag that I built from the action up.
I shot both smokless and BP in this rifle.
For the BP, I just filled a case with fffg and seated a home cast sized and lubed a 158 gr semi wadcutter.
For smokless use, I used the same bullet with a gas check and the Lyman hand book recomended loads.
The rifle is long gone and much to my dismay,but we all do it, swap something that you don't need for something else that you don't need.
Respectfully, Zeke