Loading 45 90 BP cartridges

[MJB78]

I would like some advice. I am going to start loading for my antique single shot rifle in 45 90. I have .458 405gr 1:20 bullet's
and I want to make light loads. I am just not sure the best and safest way to load light. If I want to put less BP do i Just add some felt wads over the powder to take up air space? If you make light loads in this caliber or 45 70 how do you go about it? Thanks for any tips your willing to share. I have almost everything now to load these.Just waiting on brass now.

 

[gunlaker]

The best way to load light in my opinion is to use Fg powder. You can make it shoot quite well even though some will say that Fg only works in cannons

In my 45-100 Shiloh I have a load that uses 88gr of Goex Fg that shoots pretty nicely, not as good as my Swiss 1.5 load, but it is a lower velocity load that has less recoil and maintains enough accuracy to be good for practicing.

Chris.

 

[Reeferman]

What gun have you got and have you slugged the barrel? Knowing the groove size and sizing bullet to it will save you a lot of grief. For my Springfield in 45/70 I don’t go lighter than 55 grains of FFG using various wads however the bullet I cast as is comes out at .462 and has big lube grooves so grease cookie not needed.
Trapdoors were known for having big groove size though. You may not have this issue with what you have.