Loading Black Powder Cases

07 April 2003, 02:32

I've been shooting a Hawken Flintlock for some time now and also reloading smokeless rifle cartridges for about 15 years. However, I have never reloaded BP cases for a Sharps 45-90, and need to start. I've read that for some reason it gets more difficult with the 45-90's and up. Can you explain why? Is it really that much different loading the 45-70 compared to the 45-90?

Also, can you guys recommend a good reloading manual for BP cases? Not just reloading data, but one that describes the proper and safe way to reload BP cases. Thanks.

07 April 2003, 03:35

Brent

quote:
Originally posted by jethro:
I've been shooting a Hawken Flintlock for some time now and also reloading smokeless rifle cartridges for about 15 years. However, I have never reloaded BP cases for a Sharps 45-90, and need to start. I've read that for some reason it gets more difficult with the 45-90's and up. Can you explain why? Is it really that much different loading the 45-70 compared to the 45-90?

Also, can you guys recommend a good reloading manual for BP cases? Not just reloading data, but one that describes the proper and safe way to reload BP cases. Thanks.

Jethro.

Go to www.buffaloarms.com and get their phone number, call and ask for a catalog (their website is not up to date). But, that said, some of the better books that they have are several by Paul Matthews and one by Venturino and Garbe. But the latter, in particular is a bit out of date recommending things like Mag primers which are a define nondesirable these days.

Loading for a .45-90 is not more difficult than a .45-70. I started with a .45-90 myself. Loadin is pretty straight forward and you might look at my post in the 120 Sharps thread on this board.

In general there is a lot of information out there, but much of it is passed along from one person to the next. It is not something that comes from manuals per se. www.shooters.com is one of the better places. Look for the Blackpowder Cartridge section.

www.shilohrifle.com is another good place to get some help, though there is less traffic there.

My own webpage can help if you want to try paper patched bullets. www.iastate.edu/`codi/PPB/PPB.html

Last on my short list, are two email lists on www.yahoogroups.com - look for bp-L and BPCR lists. Both are good sources of help and information.

Brent

09 April 2003, 11:20

Razz

Found this site a while back, it has some pretty good info.
Intro to BPCR Loading by Chuck Raithel

17 April 2003, 02:38

<eldeguello>

Jethro, I think it becomes more difficult to develop accurate SMOKELESS POWDER loads when the cases get bigger, but not necessarily more difficult when using black or equivalent powders. The reason for the bigger cases was to improve the long-range performance of the bigbore black powder rifles, and it worked pretty well. But, I beleive our ancestors had some powders that were better than most of those we can get today. It is possible the Swiss powders are as good as some of the old-time ones, but I haven't been able to find any around here.

[ 04-16-2003, 17:38: Message edited by: eldeguello ]