Different propellant in same rifle?

[Artemis]

Just curious to know whether I can fire nitro and BP in the same rifle? For eg; say, 50 smokeless and 50 BP rounds on the same outing.

If there's any adverse effect, how will it affect the barrel?

Kris

[Voyageur]

As long as you clean the barrel there shouldn't be any problem...but most guys don't carry solvent to get out the metal fouling when they 'are in the field'.  And, of course, you will have to clean the barrel between strings of lead/blackpowder loads to maintain your accuracy anyway.

But why would you want to do this?  Most fellas stick with one or the other.  I gave up jacketed many years ago as I could get accuracy and performance out of my own cast bullets and not be tied to, or have to pay the price of, jacketed.  There is something really rewarding when you kill an Elk, Deer or Bear with bullets you've made yourself.  A sort of satisfaction of having done as much as possible yourself.

Voyageur

[Artemis]

Voyageur,

I have no intention of using both at the same time and presently have no access to BP anyway, due to legal restrictions. Just wanted to know if it was possible.

You may note that I live in the UK and our firearm laws are far stringent and stupid than most countries in Europe. Presently, I'm only allowed one 45-70 rifle on my firearms certificate. To add another rifle in the same calibre or different would mean more forms, money, irritation of dealing with completely dictatorial firearms officers and several weeks(to say the least) of waiting. At the end of this hassle, I'll not be sure whether my request would have been approved!! Thus,if things got bad as that, the next best thing would be for me to borrow BP ammo from other BP shooters in the club and have a go at it with my present rifle that I shoot with nitro.

Kris

[Voyageur]

Ahhhh...now I understand Kris.  Having stayed the summer in Ireland and having had the use of firearms I know of what you are speaking.

You will certainly want to remove the metal fouling before shooting the BP loads so that you will not be disappointed and/or have a false impression of BP accuracy.

My latest creation is a Martini I chambered in .40-65 Winchester.  I use 55 grains of 2F and 10% by weight of 4759 powder in the bottom of the case.  I compress the load about 1/8" when the bullet is loaded.  This load delivers 1" MOA @ 100 yards with iron sights and my nearly 60 year old eyes.  BP loads are quite capable of precise accuracy but are finicky from rifle to rifle.  I know of your situation and, believe me, I wish you the best.

Voyageur