.38spl with Black powder

[fireball]

I bought my father-in-law an Uberti 1851 Navy, cartridge converted in .38spl

http://www.uberti.com/firearms/army-navy-conversion-and-open-top.php

I have reloaded for it using smokeless but would like to have an old school Black powder load.

Could someone please point me in the right direction in regards to loads and Black powder, as in the different brands and data.

I know nothing of this subject and could not find anything using the crap CGN search function.

 

[just having some fun]

Not a expert
Be aware that Black powder and some of the other black powder substitutes for best results the bullets need a black powder lube

the bullet might need to be one of the larger grease capacity bullets

and special cleaning of the pistol will need to be done

Not sure how much black powder info is out there
but Hodgdon has some data for 38 special and Triple 7

Look under Cowboy action data

 

[Ganderite]

FFG Start with 20 gr and work up from there.

 

[jethunter]

I'm not an expert but i think you need to ensure there is no airspace between the bullet and powder when using black powder.

 

[fireball]

I'll look into this FFG stuff, I'm assuming someone local will stock it.

 

[donor]

Look up Trail Boss loads for 38 Special.

This powder was designed to duplicate BP velocities while using smokeless powder.

Shooting BP if fun but I'm not sure if it's worth doing it in a revolver( cleaning and such),not to mention special cleaning procedures for brass.

Try it-you might like it.

 

[fireball]

Thanks for the advise. I picked up a pound of Pyrodex "P" FFFG as it was recommended as the pistol powder. From what I've see 20gr of the suff will work. And to add cream of wheat to compress the load, uniform the charge, should the case require it.

 

[fireball]

Found a guy in Mission that sells black powder h ttp://www.rustywood.ca/powder.html

 

[Olof]

Fill the case to about 1/8 of an inch from the top of the case with real black powder. Load a bullet (with an appropriate BP lube) and seat it normally. You should hear a slight crunching sound. That is the powder compressing. Triple 7 should not be compressed. The bullet should only touch the powder. It burns about 15% hotter then the equiv. Black powder load.
I prefer black powder myself as the effect when shooting is more spectacular, and putting on a show is what it is all about...