Reloading with subs

[frontiersman]

Hi guys. First post here and it's a dooze. I would like to load .45 Colt with  Pyrodex P and Goex Pinnicale. I'm under the impression that all I have to do is fill up the case level with powder and cram a .250 grn. bullet on top. Is this correct? Also, do I  have to have any special lube on the bullet with the subs? I plan on using Bore Butter for lube on the cylinder pin and barrel. Will this work? It seems I can find alot of info on oading real black but not so on the subs. When someone says " just a case full of powder with a bullit on top" do they really mean a case full? Thanks.

[PlacitasSlim]

I have not used those 2 powders, but have used 777 FFg in my .45colt. I weighed several batches of 30gr by volume and then used this figure to dial in my powder measure. I prefer to be more precise than just filling the case which I know some people do with no problems.

[PlacitasSlim]

Forgot to add that I use regular smokeless lube on my bullets and cleanup is a couple of passes with wet patches. You will also find that many loads require some compression, just don't leave an air space.

[Little Bear]

Filling the case to the brim and trying to stuff 255 grs. of lead on top of that may get you some bulging in the case.  You really don't need that much compression and, IMHO, you'd just be wasting powder.  Out here BP is hard to come by so we're a bit more conservative about our loads. 

You only need about 1/8" compression, just so long as there's no air space.  You can also go with smaller charges by using card wads between the powder and bullet, which is how I load.

I normally use Goex 2f or Pyro RS.  If I want a hotter load, I go with a smaller granulation like Goex 3f or Pyro P.   

[Seth Hawkins]

I use Goex Pinnacle and APP in my 44WCF and 38LC.  As mentioned, I fill the case so that I get about 1/8" compression.  One reason I use APP/Goex Pinnacle (they're basically the same powder) is that I don't need to use a special lube.  Actually, you don't need any lube at all on the bullets.  This allows me to buy regular smokeless lubed bullets, and even unlubed bullets, that are much cheaper than specialty bullets designed for BP use.

BP and the subs aren't much different than smokeless when it comes to working up a load that suits you.  You must remember, though, that you cannot leave an air gap between the powder and the base of the bullet.  Use a wad or some other substance to fill the gap.