Black Powder .38

[Sapper33]

I'd like to try reloading some .38 spl rounds using black powder (been reading lots of cowboy stuff lately...). I've found that the original load was ~21gr BP, and that nowadays +/- 17gr is the norm.

I've also read that when reloading BP cartridges, that a small amount of powder compression is actually good, and that with BP it's all about volume.

Any tips?

 

[sunray]

"...original load was..." Modern BP isn't the same as 19th Century vintage BP.
If you run BP through a modern revolver(why you'd want to is another thing), clean for BP. Flush with hot water.
BP is loaded by volume, for sure. Isn't weighed like smokeless.

 

[Pudelpointer]

I'd like to try reloading some .38 spl rounds using black powder (been reading lots of cowboy stuff lately...). I've found that the original load was ~21gr BP, and that nowadays +/- 17gr is the norm.

I've also read that when reloading BP cartridges, that a small amount of powder compression is actually good, and that with BP it's all about volume.

Any tips?

The only tip you need to hear is that you can not have any air space in your case! If the loads are too hot when loaded to full case capacity there are ways around it by using fillers and cards, etc. to take up any space between the bullet and the powder.

 

[hk33ka1]

I've fired a few through my S&W 586. 158 SWC, Crisco lubed due to lack of real BP lube. 17 or so gr by volume using Lee dippers.

 

[gunlaker]

BP is loaded by volume, for sure. Isn't weighed like smokeless.

Well, to say that bp isn't weighed like smokeless isn't exactly correct.

A lot of people do go with pure volume as measured by a powder measure, or whatever volumetric device they have.

Do do need to start with volume, i.e. you need the correct volume to fill your case + desired compression, etc.

Once you have the correct volume for your setup, and for a given lot of BP, you can weigh that charge and then use that weight for the rest of your charges. That's not an uncommon thing to do.

But I suppose it is pretty different than this newfangled smokeless stuff

Chris.

 

[vagrantviking]

The original cases were balloon head where the modern stuff has a solid head. That makes up for most of the difference in the load.

If you want to you can get a lot more in if you make a compression plug to mash the powder anywhere from 10 or 20 thou to 1/4" or more. Depending on the powder many people say that it burns cleaner and more consistenly.