How to load BP cartridges?

[Old and grumpy]

I played with loading black some time ago but never used it much. Now that all reloading supplies are hard to get I want to conserve them and load black or subs where I can.  Is there a good how to link? The one up top is old and does not work.  I can still get Pyrodex so that will probably be what I use. I want to save the black I have .   Most will be 45/70 trapdoor .45 Colt and .45 Schofield. Also have a old 12ga  2 1/2"  and .38 S&W that I would feel OK using black in. I have data for most of them just need to know how to do it right/safe.  I have loaded for 50 years and shoot Cap&Ball so we are not starting from zero.  Thanks for any help.

[gene_225]

From experience, I can say don't leave any space in the case. I,e, the ball or bullet fits tight on top of the powder (at least a little compressed). I'm sure others with more experience will offer better and more complete advice.

[Dixie-Dude]

Still have to have primers, which are hard to come by.  One can save your own or find cartridges at a gun range.  One can even make their own black powder.  You still have to have primers or caps for black powder unless you have a flintlock weapon.  Then you have to have a supply of flint. 

Time to try bow hunting.  Long bow, recurve, crossbow, or compound.  Or, try snares and traps.  At least until the supplies come back.

[Castaway]

For rifle, you can use a drop tube or vibrate class to settle the powder.  Suggest you start with 68 grains for a 45-70.  Place a cardboard wad on top of powder column.  Add a newspaper wad on top of cardboard wad.  Measure distance from top of powder column to case mouth.  Measure distance from base of bullet to crimp groove if shooting a lever or bolt action.  The difference will be what you should compress the powder to.  If loading a single shot, determine how long the overall cartridge length is by letting the bullet engage the rifling and adjust powder from there to need approximately a 1/10” worth of compression.  More powder may be called for.  If seating to the rifling, you should wipe the bore with a damp, then dry patch.  If not loading to the rifling, wiping will still help with more consistent results. Use a black powder lube.  The internet is full of everyone’s pet formula that’s works better than everyone else’s.  See above post under Cap and Ball Revolvers for Gato Feo’s lube which is undoubtedly the best lube out there