Lubricating Black Powder 45 Colt Reloads

[vmassarano]

I've been reloading 45 Colt with smokeless powder for some time. Very efficient and economical, relatively speaking. I want to try reloading with Black Powder for use in my Uberti SAA. Looking to use about 30-35 grains of GOEX, with the same 250 grain RNFP lead bullet I use with smokeless. I'm getting some non-lubricated .44/.45 felt wads to ensure good compaction. My question is do I need to lube the bullets to minimize fouling in my pistol? And if so, what is the easiest and "cheapest" way to get that done? (Don't want to invest in new equipment if I can avoid it.)

[Cowboy T]

Haven't yet made any .45 Colt black powder loads myself, but I've heard that Liquid Alox/Xlox works well with it. I do know that it works very well with my smokeless loads.

[Abenaki]

I load 45 Colt with Black Powder.
You don't need wads.

Go to Duelist1954 Youtube sight. He will walk you through it.

What you will need is a bullet with a large lube groove for grease.
Bullet lubes that work well for smokeless powder, will gum up every thing with black powder. Or black powder subs.

You can use the bullets you have now, If you want to pop of a couple of rounds.
For lube I use bee's wax and lamb's tallow. you can use olive oil, or even crisco mixed with bee's wax.

This is the bullet that I use , It is made by Accurate Molds.

image.png
PM me and I may be able to send you some. It may take me a while to get it to you.

That bullet takes a healthy crimp. It wants to jump the crimp.
When you pull the trigger, it will get your attention!

Take care
Abenaki

[Abenaki]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKaT8NsJlq0&list=PLHljRs6NHyZmIwDun38rc5MuHGhNMx16p&index=4

This is what you need to watch

[NapalmCheese]

Your current smokeless powder lubed bullets won't work with the smokeless lube, but will probably work if you melt that lube out and re-lube with a black powder lube. When I make my own it's 50% crisco, 25% beeswax, 25% lanolin, but I use this in my cap and ball guns. It would work fine inside lubed cartridges. The lanolin makes it sticky, so not good for outside lubed cartridges.

You don't need a wad.

If you can fit 35 grains more power to you, most people find that 35 grains by volume doesn't fit in modern .45 Colt cases with a 255 grain bullet.

Loading black powder cartridge is easy. Pour in enough powder such that when seated, the bullet compresses the powder by 1/8 or 1/16 of an inch. Done deal.

When you're done shooting take the cylinder out. Wash the bore with hot water, scrub for lead if you have any (unlikely). Wash the cylinder in hot water. Wash the cylinder pin in hot water. Let it all dry. Wipe down the recoil shield, hammer, etc. Ballistol everything; and you're ready for next time.