New to BP reloading, Lots of questions.

[mandoman]

I have been reloading trap loads,pistol and rifle loads for almost thirty years now. I have lots of equipment from Dillion to Lyman to Mec. I have also played around with Muzzle loading rifles and pistols as well as cap and ball revolvers. So I'am not a novice,however when it comes to specific BP cartridge reloading I Am. Lots of questions.
Who makes a nice Remington Rolling Block replica  ? 45/70. Quality of Pedersoli ? Can I reload Pyrodex in cartridges in place of black powder ? Must I use a compression
die ? Do I have to use a wad between the powder and bullet ? Must I use a gas check ? Who sells period scopes for the replicas ? Will a regular hard cast bullet 45/70
work,or does the alloy need to be a bit softer ? Lastly and most important to me,casting my own bullets is out of the question as most trap shooters have put their presses away with the high price of lead being driven by the communist Chi-Coms. Scrape prices of lead at local yards is beyond belief. Who sells a good BP bullet
already lubed for BP rifle cartridge reloading ?

[MLR]

There are many places that will sell proper bullets for these rifles. I have bought them from Mt. Baldy bullet company.
http://www.mtbaldybullets.com/

   Michael

[Will Bison]

I'll give you some quick and dirty answers.


Who makes a nice Remington Rolling Block replica  ? 45/70. Quality of Pedersoli ?  Pedersoli makes several nice RB rifles in .45-70. They come with 1-18 twist so they like the heavy bullets, say in the 500 grain range.

Can I reload Pyrodex in cartridges in place of black powder ?  Yes. I don't use it but other shooters report good results.

Must I use a compression die ?  No. You can use standard dies and and let the seat/crimp die compress the powder. I think a lot of folks tend to over compress. You can make/use a simple drop tube if you wish.

Do I have to use a wad between the powder and bullet ? No. Most original factory BP rounds didn't have a wad.

Must I use a gas check ?  No. Most original rounds didn't use them. I use them because some of my moulds are gas check type bullets but I have fired them as plain base and they work fine.

Who sells period scopes for the replicas ?  I don't know but they are available.

Will a regular hard cast bullet 45/70 work, or does the alloy need to be a bit softer ?  Yes you can use hard cast but most folks use a softer alloy. Most commercial bullets makers will disclose the alloy.

Who sells a good BP bullet already lubed for BP rifle cartridge reloading ?  I have never bought such items so I won't comment.

[crow_feather]

If you check out Buffalo Arms on the net, you will find most everything you need.  I'm not saying this is the only place, but prices are reasonable and the person behind the desk is a BPCR shooter of long standing and will answer all questions and give good advice.   As I said before, there are other good Black Powder Cartridge Rifle supply companies.  Buffalo Arms is just the one I use and feel safe with.

C F

ps  someday, you will have to try paper patch bullets - that is a thrill.  I can't mention the "P" word when discussing powder on this site, but the "P' word Select RS, is awesome accurate for me.

[MLR]

Check out this thread by Ray.
http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,72361.0.html

  Michael

[John Boy]

Lots of questions... Sure is an understatement!  ... This not a dig because we all have to start learning the fundamentals
Who makes a nice Remington Rolling Block replica  ? 45/70. ... Pedersoli
 Quality of Pedersoli ? ... Excellent!
 Can I reload Pyrodex in cartridges in place of black powder ? ... Yes, just make sure you follow the loading data
 Must I use a compression die ? ... With any of the substitute powders - NO.  With BP, YES or a vibrator
 Do I have to use a wad between the powder and bullet ? ... Yes, so when the powder ignites, it does not distort the base of the bullet
 Must I use a gas check ? ... Why?  Most BP bullets are flat base and no GC bullets are fired using BP
 Who sells period scopes for the replicas ? ... Do a search on the Internet
 Will a regular hard cast bullet 45/70 work,or does the alloy need to be a bit softer ? ... Only your rifle will let you know which alloy shoots best.  Generally, the best alloy is 1:20
Who sells a good BP bullet already lubed for BP rifle cartridge reloading ? ... Sagebrush Products ... http://www.sagebrushproducts.com/bullets.htm ... the Postell or the PJ Creedmoor

Based on the fundamental questions asked, would be best for you to buy one or more reference books ... http://www.lymanproducts.com/lymanproducts/books.htm  ... All New Lyman 2nd Edition Black Powder Handbook

[crow_feather]

JohnBoy,
I tend to agree with most everything written except compression of substitutes and gas check bullets.

I compress my BP substitute about .4" and have had excellent accuracy.  Aren't those substitute pellets compressed substitute? 

I have seen for sale on EBAY, gas check .457 cal 500 grain round nose molds.  With the rear of the bullet narrower, I would imagine that a gas check is necessary to shoot it.  (a guess)

Period scopes are for sale at Buffalo Arms.  For my heavy rifle, I bought the short Malcolm scope but found that I can't shoot it much past 300 yards with the mounts provided.  Personally, I do not like the brass bulge on the longer scope so will live with my limitations

PS: I agree with your description of Pedersoli products