Loading BP in modern ammo

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digitalblue

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So, I have 3/4 a container of FFFG, 9mm 38sp brass, and too much time on my hands (You can probably see where this is going) :D....

From what I've read, this can and has been done safely so I see no reason to not try. Since there is no load data for BP in modern cartridges, trial and error is probably the best way to go about it. I was thinking of filling the case 1/8 at a time, half full is probably the most I'll go. Fouling is expected but won't be an issue since both guns are easy to clean (stainless).

The 38sp will be coming out of a revolver so function shouldn't be an issue; however, I'm not sure my P226 will cycle the BP 9mm properly. I do have a weaker recoil spring that I could swap(if it makes a difference)...

Any advice and/or pointers?
 
Don't leave any airspace! use a filler such as cornmeal between the powder and bullet in straightwall cases.

The 9mm might run into cycling issues quickly due to fouling. The 38 special will probably gum up from fouling at the cylinder gap.

That said, it should be a lot of fun!

PS: no petroleum based lubes. the turn into ashphalt with BP fouling.

J
 
Don't mess around with filling cases 1/8th at a time with black powder, fill case completely leaving room only to seat bullet and maybe compress powder a bit, no air space. You should be okay with the revolver but i wouldn't try with a semi auto as it won't function and clean up will be murder.
 
I've shot some .38 Spl with BP through my 586. Clean up isnt that bad, but its a must do.

Somewhere on the net some guys were doing it in a 1911 and got the gun to work for a mag or 2 but the cleanup was again an issue.
 
Thanks for the suggestions guys.

ben_hunchak - I'm a bit hesitant to fill the 38 cases all the way with BP. Are you sure a 38 case full of FFFG won't grenade my revolver? As for the 9, I doubt it has enough case capacity to blow the gun up so I'm not too worried about filling the case...

Also, what is reason for the cornmeal; is it simply for filling the case up or does it have another purpose (buffering, etc)?
 
Do some more reading on b/p. If you leave an airspace you are making a grenade. Any and all b/p loadings I have looked at specifically say NOT to leave air in the case. Good luck let us know how it works
 
I can't see how a semi-auto would gum up. All of the fouling is forward of the action. Then again, I haven't tried it.

Use a bullet lube intended for Black Powder. I use SPG, or you might use DGL or Lyman Black Gold.

If you leave an air space, the shock wave of the powder will rebound off the the base of the bullet and may swage a ring in the chamber just at the base of the bullet's base. Many beautiful BPCRs have needed a new pipe due to this. You won't "blow" things up, but the outcome will be the same. The trick with BP loads is to get the whole mass moving at the same time. It is a total abdication of everything you learned loading smokeless. Be wary... you may get... "the bug."
 
Lyman's 2nd edition bp handbook lists a bp load for 38 spl at least

Goex FFFg. 16.5 grains volume with a 150 grain lead bullet

There other loads listed
 
Do like Ben says. Fill it full leaving room to seat the bullet but compressing the powder slightly. If you load light you must add filler to take up the space, but I would avoid using it myself
 
digitalblue said:
ben_hunchak - I'm a bit hesitant to fill the 38 cases all the way with BP. Are you sure a 38 case full of FFFG won't grenade my revolver

Also, what is reason for the cornmeal; is it simply for filling the case up or does it have another purpose (buffering, etc)?
Click to expand...

The cornmeal is simply an inert filler more to keep the powder against the primer than anything else. The pressures that you get from 3F black will be less than with most smokeless loads. You need at least some compression of the powder to get uniform burning.
I also would not use it in a semi auto; most of the fouling goes down the barrel but I would expect you to get enough in the action to be a pain in the bum to clean. Don't forget to wash the gun with warm water when finished

cheers mooncoon
 
All the suggestions are appreciated! I'll try to get some rounds made up this weekend.

Since the sig is overdue for cleaning I'll probably run a few bp rounds through; It'll probably motivate me to clean it.
 
just looking through Venturino's lever gun book, and he says this about the 38 special

" the .38 Special started out as a blackpowder cartridge in 1899, and was introduced by Smith and Wesson for their new swing out cylinder, double action handguns. It used 21.5 grains of blackpowder under 158 grain bullets."

Like others have said, don't leave any airspace between the powder and the base of the bullet. A full load of black will not harm a modern handgun.
 
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