45-70 Reload Slow Powder

LeBlanc: Loading black powder cartridges and the tricks to doing so

Here we are in the 21st century, the period of miracles, the age of short magnums, Super magnums still some of the shooting sports the fastest growing involve the use of black powder, a product that has been replaced over 100 years by a new and improved product called smokeless powder. Kind of wonder what is not?

Of course, the quality of black powder that we have today, and the new black powder substitutes are far superior to black powder civil war, however, is always black powder black powder. I mean it is even more dangerous to store and use than modern propellants.Black powder burns at the same rate as if it is confined or not. It is much more likely to be inflamed by the slightest exposure to flame or even a spark generated by static electricity. If for some reason a spark must jump through the work area while using the black powder that the chances are very good people around you get a demonstration of the speed of combustion of the powder.

With the spread of action cowboy shooting and other sports that romanticize the Old West and the early years of our country's interest in firearms in our history is to the point that most manufacturers make guns period were made famous during the era of black powder. Many people who are involved with them are involved to the point where the propeller is only considered the original black powder.

At present, there are four with which I am familiar, Goetz and Elephant black powder and synthetic Hodgdon Pyrodex by MZ and Black Powder Blending.

Pyrodex and black MZ provide results similar to black powder, but are less dangerous than black powder. They belch smoke and fire the gun as black powder charges and volume measures the same as black powder. Benefits for both Pyrodex and black MZ are they burn cleaner than black powder and are not as dangerous as they are more difficult to ignite. In fact, it is almost impossible to use Pyrodex alone in a flintlock ignition system because the flint can not make enough heat and sparks to ignite.

When it comes to loading cartridges with black powder there are some changes in the reloader must be compared to modern cartridges loaded with modern smokeless propellants.

One is any chance of sparks must be eliminated. I do not know how many people you recharge your ammunition, but when the end of a batch of powder is achieved and it is not enough to do a lot with I just burn. I pour out a whole string of powder left on an old 2x4 and light it with a gas lighter charcoal.Keep the flame to the powder will eventually get it started and it will be executed, and rather slowly, the length of the wildfire. According to the powder, it can not even burn the 2x4. Conversely static electricity can cause enough of a spark to trigger the black powder.

Safe .32-20 Ammo

Reloading is the way to go. Just use a powder that is low on cup and will mostly fill the case. 3 grains of Bullseye is used by lots of folks but is way too easily double charged and not noticed. If you use it, just be dilligent. Be careful on the resizing, 32-20 is easily wadded up. Seating the bullit and using a separate cripping die will extend your brass and your nerves. The factory stuff you have to concern yourself with was marked "High velocity" not to be confused with what is advertised as high velocity like is marketed on pretty much every box of ammo. These were 85 grain JHP's and the headstamp on the shell says either H-V or High Velocity, all of the ones I have are Winchester. I have a few spent casings of these, when I get home either today or tomorrow I will take a pic of the headstamp. I don't recall what the boxes look like for these. I have shot factory Remington and Winchester 100 grain lead bullets out of Smith M & P and never had any problems. If you get the box, it will say "for rifles and handguns" or similar. Gawd I'm glad I went looking and bought a bunch of stuff some old guy (older even than me) wanted to be rid of. Full boxes of ammo, partial boxes, boxes full of fired brass, new brass, and even a box of bullets. At another gun show some guy had a coffee can and a jar full of cast bullets. He wanted $8 for about 500 of them. A friend scrounged up a box from his waste pile and gave it to me. Suddenly I went from no ammo to a bunch of loaded ammo and components to make 500 more. I'm rich.

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