- Location
- Okanagan Valley B.C.
22-15-60
- Thread starter skwerl
- Start date
- Location
- Western Manitoba
Not to discourage you from re-loading, but that looks like a very tough place to start. Most that you hear and read is likely from loading smokeless powders, and is kind of "iffy" how much of that relates directly to loading Black Powder Cartridges.
Like any re-loading, though - you likely need a supply of cases, bullets, powder and primers as consumables - I suspect each one of those has it's issues - coming up with a "recipe" that uses modern items, or finding the actual original old stuff that is still serviceable? For example, I believe there is no such thing as "Black Powder" - is like 5 or six of them at least - all different strengths and granulations, which sometimes makes a difference, not counting the various "substitutes", that some call black powder. As I understand, loading BP cartridges, it might require a bit more finesse than dumping a heaping handful of coarse powder down the barrel of a 4 gauge muzzle loader.
Then you likely need appropriate tools - not real certain what is needed for reloading black powder cartridges - in particular, that case looks to be long and skinny. I believe there used to be "tong" tools made - would have a built-in mould for making a bullet, a way to punch out the expended primer and seat a new one - I believe powder was dumped in and compressed to a certain distance or level and then various lubes or over powder wads might have lived between the powder and the bullet base - sometimes. I had read that any air space within a blackpowder cartridge is a "bad thing" - unlike loading with smokeless powder.
All of that presumed that you intend to use some form of black powder. Many elderly type rounds have had loads made with fast powders like usually used in pistols or shotgun cartridges. In particular with double rifles, is a special challenge to duplicate the pressure rise rate and muzzle velocity, so that the rifle's original regulating can still do its thing. I suspect is one less thing to worry about for a single barrel rifle?
And, as we recently found out - need to have "ALL" the necessary components and tools to make a round, not just "MOST" of them. I wish I could assist you more - I never loaded black powder cartridges - just read about aspects of it - it struck me how many things were dealt with differently, than when loading with smokeless powder and jacketed bullets.
Like any re-loading, though - you likely need a supply of cases, bullets, powder and primers as consumables - I suspect each one of those has it's issues - coming up with a "recipe" that uses modern items, or finding the actual original old stuff that is still serviceable? For example, I believe there is no such thing as "Black Powder" - is like 5 or six of them at least - all different strengths and granulations, which sometimes makes a difference, not counting the various "substitutes", that some call black powder. As I understand, loading BP cartridges, it might require a bit more finesse than dumping a heaping handful of coarse powder down the barrel of a 4 gauge muzzle loader.
Then you likely need appropriate tools - not real certain what is needed for reloading black powder cartridges - in particular, that case looks to be long and skinny. I believe there used to be "tong" tools made - would have a built-in mould for making a bullet, a way to punch out the expended primer and seat a new one - I believe powder was dumped in and compressed to a certain distance or level and then various lubes or over powder wads might have lived between the powder and the bullet base - sometimes. I had read that any air space within a blackpowder cartridge is a "bad thing" - unlike loading with smokeless powder.
All of that presumed that you intend to use some form of black powder. Many elderly type rounds have had loads made with fast powders like usually used in pistols or shotgun cartridges. In particular with double rifles, is a special challenge to duplicate the pressure rise rate and muzzle velocity, so that the rifle's original regulating can still do its thing. I suspect is one less thing to worry about for a single barrel rifle?
And, as we recently found out - need to have "ALL" the necessary components and tools to make a round, not just "MOST" of them. I wish I could assist you more - I never loaded black powder cartridges - just read about aspects of it - it struck me how many things were dealt with differently, than when loading with smokeless powder and jacketed bullets.
Last edited:
- Location
- Van. Is. B.C.
An online search found ammo at $96US for a box of 20. Reload data for Trailboss and other primers, and the use of .228” cast. An interesting cartridge but lots of obstacles for reloading. Being straight walled brass can be made on a lathe from brass stock but apparently doesn’t last very long.
skwerl:
Those old rounds are loaded with black powder, BUT the main thing is the primers in them are both corrosive & mercuric!
Nicht Gut!!!
Just sell me the 44 that they're made for & be done with it!
;-)
If that is not an option, what I did with my .25-25 & .25-20 Stevens Single-Shot factory rounds [nobody offered to trade them for BB new brass, so tough T!T] was pull the bullets [NOT with an impact bullet puller!!!], dump the powder, deprime the live primers, anneal the 100+ year old brass' necks, re-prime with Remington 1 1/2 primers [all they are, are Remington's standard small pistol primers] & load them with SR-4759 or other suitable powder to give you the original velocity, seat flat-nose, plain-base bullets of the same weight [send me a pm & I'll think about sharing some of mine] & go have fun on some of your pesky marmots.
Those old rounds are loaded with black powder, BUT the main thing is the primers in them are both corrosive & mercuric!
Nicht Gut!!!
Just sell me the 44 that they're made for & be done with it!
;-)
If that is not an option, what I did with my .25-25 & .25-20 Stevens Single-Shot factory rounds [nobody offered to trade them for BB new brass, so tough T!T] was pull the bullets [NOT with an impact bullet puller!!!], dump the powder, deprime the live primers, anneal the 100+ year old brass' necks, re-prime with Remington 1 1/2 primers [all they are, are Remington's standard small pistol primers] & load them with SR-4759 or other suitable powder to give you the original velocity, seat flat-nose, plain-base bullets of the same weight [send me a pm & I'll think about sharing some of mine] & go have fun on some of your pesky marmots.
- Location
- Okanagan Valley B.C.
Actually man you should be commended for thinking that it is a model 44 the 22-15 reloads are for , even
a 44 1/2 would be rite-on .
Stevens is the correct manufacturer only this rifle was not to
be chambered for it or any other Centre Fire cartridge , I wouldn't call her
a Unicorn 'cause I can't disprove Unicorns .
More to follow.... skwerl
