Safest low pressure smokeless that’s still available for antiques

[VintagePieces10]

Just getting into reloading and picked up an mk1 Webley navy retrofit with mk4 smokeless barrel. Looking for recipes for 45acp and 455 Webley is a nightmare because most threads are a decade old and list powders such as trail boss, unique, bullseye, red dot etc as the safest, except none of those powders are available anymore. Jury is out if the still available win231 is safe or not.

So what’s the best, safest smokeless powder, for a low pressure round suitable for a good condition antique?

 

[Dkd05]

Trail boss works well, or tinstar or unique

 

[VintagePieces10]

Trail boss works well, or tinstar or unique

As I said though, none of those powders are available anymore. The post is looking for alternatives to all those powders listed

 

[LawrenceN]

I reload for my .44 Russian using HP-38 which seems to be readily available. I don't have data for the .455 with that powder but I imagine some research may let you know if it's suitable. Have you looked into Pyrodex or Trail Boss?

 

[VintagePieces10]

I reload for my .44 Russian using HP-38 which seems to be readily available. I don't have data for the .455 with that powder but I imagine some research may let you know if it's suitable. Have you looked into Pyrodex or Trail Boss?

I have looked into both, but for the purpose of my post, I was looking at alternatives to trail boss and the other powders I mentioned as none of them are readily available anymore. Is there any excessive pressures in hp38? Thats a powder I can get my hands on and seems to be an alternative by the data I can find (although, some data claims it’s too fast burning)

 

[Denver Steve]

I do believe some people use N310 powder, which is available.

 

[woodchopper]

I use IMR4227, but that is for the Martini Henry, and those cases are huge. Might not work for pistols.

 

[LawrenceN]

I tried to attach the reloading data that came with my Lee dies for the .44 Russian but the damned computer has a mind of it's own. So, for 200 gr. they recommend 4.2-5.0 gr. HP-38. I have plinking rounds that I load mid range (4.6 gr.). I have 240 HP and they suggest 4.0-4.8 gr. Since I mean these for serious deployment (break-in, dangerous wild life encounter, life threatening situations, etc.) I load them up to the suggested max. I don't know about other vintage or antique firearms but I do know the experts were adamant about soft cast only. I had a wonderful gentleman in Ottawa cast me some but moly coated so theoretically they should slick down the bore with less resistance and hence, less back pressure.

I have looked into both, but for the purpose of my post, I was looking at alternatives to trail boss and the other powders I mentioned as none of them are readily available anymore. Is there any excessive pressures in hp38? Thats a powder I can get my hands on and seems to be an alternative by the data I can find (although, some data claims it’s too fast burning)

 

[Snider shooter]

Unique has been the standby for years.

 

[VintagePieces10]

Again though, I’m looking for alternatives as unique, trailboss, red dot etc have been effectively off the market for years

 

[StandardIssue]

I just use faster burning powders like titegroup and then dial it down accordingly. It's usually in stock.

Lots of load data available for the powder.

 

[Snider shooter]

X700 is another that can be used. Trying to find THE powder can take some searching. I keep forgetting not everyone is as well stocked with powder as I am. Black powder always works well in the old stuff. Easier to get.

 

[Johnyy]

Again though, I’m looking for alternatives as unique, trailboss, red dot etc have been effectively off the market for years

Have you tried Unique or Trailboss?? LOL -J/K
It's like; "SAY TrailBoss ONE More Time" ! {or Unique} lol

 

[VintagePieces10]

Have you tried Unique to Trailboss?? LOL -J/K
It's like; "SAY TrailBoss ONE More Time" ! {or Unique} lol

Sounds like you need to try trailboss my friend. Or have you tried unique? lol

 

[VintagePieces10]

I just use faster burning powders like titegroup and then dial it down accordingly. It's usually in stock.

Lots of load data available for the powder.

And you don’t find titegroup to be too hot of a powder even in low doses? That’s one I can still get consistently so I might go that route.

 

[StandardIssue]

And you don’t find titegroup to be too hot of a powder even in low doses? That’s one I can still get consistently so I might go that route.

It does have a very narrow pressure spike. Measure the charges and stay below 3.5 gr. Don't deep seat the bullets, use soft lead hollow base bullets.

 

[Ruger007]

I think W231 is probably going to be your best bet. I have used it in the 45acp with good results. It seems to be a fairly forgiving powder.

 

[VintagePieces10]

I think W231 is probably going to be your best bet. I have used it in the 45acp with good results. It seems to be a fairly forgiving powder.

45acp in a low webley load however? Or were you loading full power 45?

 

[9.3 Hunter]

Just getting into reloading and picked up an mk1 Webley navy retrofit with mk4 smokeless barrel. Looking for recipes for 45acp and 455 Webley is a nightmare because most threads are a decade old and list powders such as trail boss, unique, bullseye, red dot etc as the safest, except none of those powders are available anymore. Jury is out if the still available win231 is safe or not.

So what’s the best, safest smokeless powder, for a low pressure round suitable for a good condition antique?

Unique has been used for friggin decades dude, all you have to do is Google and research lmao

Even Trail Boss - for decades ... there are hundreds of articles and data available and easy to find.

Not available? Wow

 

[jparent]

Titewad, Titegroup, clays, etc.

Hodgdon has published data for 45 acp that has velocities under 700 fps and pressures below 12000 CUP for a number of powders that should be available.