Author Topic: Getting Started (Read 1155 times)

The Platte County Kid · « **on:** July 20, 2003, 04:41:26 PM »

Hey Pards,
I getting set up to start loading BP for long range cowboy action events to 400 yards. Been useing smokeless and have pretty good sucess. But there is somethin about the Black Powder that keeps me lookin at it. My question is, When measuring out the grains of BP, is it the same as smokeless or is there a formula for conversion? Any advice or comments would be appreciated.

The Kid

Charlie Detroit · « **Reply #1 on:** July 21, 2003, 04:09:49 AM »

Grains used to be a weight measure, in the 17th & 18th Centuries, but BP was pretty uniform, and very forgiving in accuracy, of small weight variations. So, BP grains became a VOLUME measure, which is what all the loose-powder measures are graduated in.
Smokeless is definitely a weight measure, which is why the powder measure settings must be checked with a scale. Smokeles is very "dense" in terms of energy, and minor variations in weight can take your gun (and maybe you) apart.
Most guys just fill the case up so that the charge will be at least slightly compressed, and set their measures for that amount. They don't know and don't care what the actual weight is.

The Platte County Kid · « **Reply #2 on:** July 21, 2003, 05:57:01 AM »

Thank you for the reply. That is what I was thinking and it just so happened that the load I had for BP at 60 grains by volume came out to about 60 grains by weight according to my scale. The BP charge had about 1/16" Compression. That was with FFg with a 435 grain Gas Checked Bullet.

Thanks
The Kid :grin:

ButlerFord45 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 21, 2003, 01:24:52 PM »

Howdy Kid!!!
Farming has many rewards, but one of the drawbacks is the really long days that come seasonally. I'm sorry to have missed your post. Charlie's pretty knowledgable, so I guess I'm covered!

ONe thing I would like to add is that different powders respond differently to compression. Goex likes it, Swiss doesen't. If you don't get the results you hoped for, don't give up on it, Black's just too much fun and the accuracy can be had!
I hope to hear more from you soon.

The Platte County Kid · « **Reply #4 on:** July 21, 2003, 04:46:06 PM »

Thanks Butler,
I've got a pound of Elephant Brand FFg. Thought I would work up some loads with it, and then try some GOEX. Gotta pick up some Veggie Wads first and finalize my overall cartridge length which is about 2.700, but need to be sure. Trying to get the bullet set about .001-.0015 back from the rifling. I can't wait to get set up so as to see the smoke and fire from the ol rollin block. (plus the accuracy)

The Kid :-)

Charlie Detroit · « **Reply #5 on:** July 22, 2003, 06:06:04 AM »

I don't know about the local ground rules where you are, but around here, if you use gaschecks or duplex loads in your BPCR, you're cheating.

The Platte County Kid · « **Reply #6 on:** July 22, 2003, 12:18:29 PM »

You are right. I'm just using up what I had left over. We can not use GC in our Sanctioned Events.

The Kid