Author Topic: Every one here use Black Powder loads in your RB ? (Read 769 times)

jh45gun · « **on:** June 10, 2005, 07:22:26 AM »

Talked to my Gunsmith Yesterday he told me that smokeless powser in a 45/70 works but not that well. He said that Black and a bit of smokeless for a duplex load works better. I guess the thought of using black does not scare me as I have 4 muzzle loaders. I do wonder about lubes though as I use Lee Liquid Alox now and I know that it is not compatable with black powder or the substitutes. Any Suggestions? Jim

50 Calshtr · « **Reply #1 on:** June 10, 2005, 08:02:13 AM »

Jim,
I shoot both smokeless and black in my RB without any problems, just keep the smokeless loads to trapdoor levels and you should be OK. Some of my best groups have been using smokeless, IMR 3031 and RCBS 300 & 405 GC bullets do well. For black I use 2F and the Lyman 457677 which is a tapered bullet of about 480 gr. This allows you to seat it further out of the case and use 68 - 70 gr of 2F, compressed about .25" and a fiber wad. I use SPG or Lee Shaver's moly-lube, both designed for black. Don't use any lube with petroleum products because it will be hard to clean. I've never used duplex loads but many have with success, supposed to cut down on fouling but I don't want to bother with the extra step and the possibility of double charging the smokeless.
Have fun.

jh45gun · « **Reply #2 on:** June 10, 2005, 09:33:53 AM »

IMR 3031 has been the powder I have been using I just tried seating the bullet out farther with these last loads I loaded and I loaded 40 grains of 3031. 38.5 is max for the trapdoors but since I have a Number 5 I asked Steve Garbe about it and he said the that model trapdoor since it was made for smokeless should be good for the lower third of the Marlin/Winchester strengh loads. For a Bullet I am using the Lee .459 Hollow Base 405 grain bullet. I have not shot these loads yet may do so tomorrow if the darn rain quits. Jim

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #3 on:** June 10, 2005, 11:36:19 AM »

When I had my Rolling block, all's I shot out of it was black powder cartridges. I still shoot black powder cartridges only in my Shiloh Sharps, even though it will take Ruger #1 loaded 45-70 pressures. Just something about a Rolling block or Shiloh Sharps with black powder.

jh45gun · « **Reply #4 on:** June 10, 2005, 06:45:22 PM »

Well I guess I will have to shoot these 80 loads I have loaded up and switch to black. Jim

marlinman93 · « **Reply #5 on:** June 11, 2005, 01:34:55 PM »

I've never shot any black powder in any Rolling Block I've ever owned. Never saw a reason why I wanted to fool with the messy cleanup. I haven't gotten set up to load for my latest RB in 44S, but when I do, I may try BP, but I'll also try low pressure smokeless loads, and probably stick with them.
SPG works as good as anything with BP, from what I've heard. I use a lot of it with smokeless low velocity loads, and I like it for these loads.

jh45gun · « **Reply #6 on:** June 11, 2005, 02:02:16 PM »

Well this is a gun I do not shoot that much so maybe I will keep a open mind on the smokeless. My big thing is the idea of fillers really bothers me and I have never used them. So any one got a reccomendation for powders that you would not have to use fillers with. Jim

Dan Chamberlain · « **Reply #7 on:** June 17, 2005, 04:36:36 PM »

Jim;

My favorite powder for the .45-70 is H-4895.

My pet load for my Sharps is a 356 grain cast bullet and 35 grains of H-4895. This gives me about 1300 fps, it's light of recoil and there is no need for fillers. If you use the 405 grain cast bullet, up the powder levels to about 44 grains. These loads approximate black powder levels. No fillers, no muss or fuss. Very accurate too.

Dan C

jh45gun · « **Reply #8 on:** June 17, 2005, 06:30:04 PM »

Thanks Dan I will keep that in mind right now I used 3031 I am going shooting tomorrow so I will see how that load shoots. 40 grains of 3031 which I am thinking will give me about 1400 or maybe a bit under. Jim