TWaggenspack
New Member
After reloading smokeless for 35+ years and casting for 30+, plus muzzle loading for 30+ I am moving into black powder cartridge loading. As most of you loading BPCR know, there is a lot or reading to do and a lot of opinions on line. There are several experts and books available on the subject, so I am not trying to dispute their writings. I am far from being in their league, but I still see a lot of discussion on technique and procedure. Some things are written in stone and should not be altered, but there is still a lot of questions out there. Some may be opinions, others are scientific fact. I would just like to see a discussion from users.
Some of the topics I would like to post on and ask opinions on are equipment (black vs smokeless, what do you need to purchase vs what can be reused from smokeless), over powder wads and fillers, bullets (jacketed, cast GC, cast plain base), cleaning, pet load discussion (safety first...), duplex loads, what is required for competition (ex. plain base cast bullets only, etc.), what do you need to buy to get started, what can you make, what is not absolutely necessary to reload BPCR, etc.
I'll start out with over powder wads. Veggie wads seem to be the choice of many, some make their own from milk cartons or cardboard. This seams to be a matter of preference and more importantly what the rifle prefers. Is it necessary to add filler if the case is not full after the wad? Wad on top of filler or on bottom? Do some bullets not need a wad? What are the dangers of not using a wad, or filling the case?
Yes, I know the answer to some of these, but like I stated before, I am trying to get a discussion going to assist others.
FYI, I shoot 45-70 in a Thompson and a Sharps.
Some of the topics I would like to post on and ask opinions on are equipment (black vs smokeless, what do you need to purchase vs what can be reused from smokeless), over powder wads and fillers, bullets (jacketed, cast GC, cast plain base), cleaning, pet load discussion (safety first...), duplex loads, what is required for competition (ex. plain base cast bullets only, etc.), what do you need to buy to get started, what can you make, what is not absolutely necessary to reload BPCR, etc.
I'll start out with over powder wads. Veggie wads seem to be the choice of many, some make their own from milk cartons or cardboard. This seams to be a matter of preference and more importantly what the rifle prefers. Is it necessary to add filler if the case is not full after the wad? Wad on top of filler or on bottom? Do some bullets not need a wad? What are the dangers of not using a wad, or filling the case?
Yes, I know the answer to some of these, but like I stated before, I am trying to get a discussion going to assist others.
FYI, I shoot 45-70 in a Thompson and a Sharps.