Reloading with black powder

[Spanky]

I read an article by Mike Venturino that dealt with reloading matallic cartridges with black powder.  He basically said to fill the case up so that the bullet when seated lightly compresses the powder.  I got the bright idea to try it with my 30-30 Handi.  I used the same FFg that I use in my muzzleloader and loaded up a few.  I was using my own once-fired brass and 150 gr. Speer round nose bullets. When I shot the first one, it kicked less than factory 30-30 loads and was about as loud as a 22 mag. However it would not eject. I had to use my cleaning rod to get the brass out. I would assume (wrongly?) that the black powder would generate less pressure, the case looked OK when I got it out (no bulging or signs of excess pressure). I'm puzzled on why it stuck. I don't want to try shooting any more until I get some input into what happened and why. Thanks for any input.

[Mac11700]

I read an article by Mike Venturino that dealt with reloading matallic cartridges with black powder.  He basically said to fill the case up so that the bullet when seated lightly compresses the powder.  I got the bright idea to try it with my 30-30 Handi.  I used the same FFg that I use in my muzzleloader and loaded up a few.  I was using my own once-fired brass and 150 gr. Speer round nose bullets. When I shot the first one, it kicked less than factory 30-30 loads and was about as loud as a 22 mag. However it would not eject. I had to use my cleaning rod to get the brass out. I would assume (wrongly?) that the black powder would generate less pressure, the case looked OK when I got it out (no bulging or signs of excess pressure). I'm puzzled on why it stuck. I don't want to try shooting any more until I get some input into what happened and why. Thanks for any input.

Is this a recommended Black Powder load for the 30-30?...If it isn't...I would be very cautious before assuming any load recommendations...

Mac

[Spanky]

Point taken, the recommendation was not specifically for the 30-30.  I probably should have researched further before trying this. Do you have any ideas as to why the brass stuck?? Could it have been too much pressure??

[quickdtoo]

Here's a good article by Junior Doughty on the BP 45-70 Handi!!

Tim

http://www.castbullet.com/shooting/1871.htm

[Spanky]

Thanks Quick, that's the article I was talking about. That gives a good explanation for an unfired round to stick, but what about my brass after firing?? I'm probably stating the obvious here but I am fairly new to reloading and dont want to damage anything.

[quickdtoo]

Stuck brass is usually caused by either a dirty/oily chamber or brass which would make it stick with blackpowder or smokeless powder.

Tim

[Ed Hill]

The 30-30 was never a blackpowder cartridge and I don't think the advice applies. 45-70, 40-65, 38-55 or 44-40 can appropriately be loaded with the fill-it-up method. These are straight-wall or lightly necked (44-40) cases. I know some folks have loaded the 30-30 with BP, but I don't know what load they used. The stuck case could have been excess pressure or dirt related to the BP.

Remember the BP is corrosive and you'll need to really clean up afterwards to prevent barrel damage.

Ed

[Spanky]

Thanks for all of the good input, I really appreciate the help.  I think I might just shoot factory ammo and enjoy the rifle from now on!  I just got another Handi in 22 Hornet and can't wait to start shooting (factory ammo of course)

[dodd3]

your stuck cases is due to there not being enuff presure to blow the case out to fill the chambr, and allows fowling to get between the case and chamber wall just neck size your cases and realy fill the case up with black powder you are not building enuff presure you must get as much powder in the case as posible you wont blow your gun up with the load that a 30/30 case can hold of black i have shot black in the 30/30 it will work but in my opinion  it is not worth the mucking around for the velosity you will get .
bernie