.45 Colt BP- Am I doing this right?

[raven290]

I've decided that I want to load some .45 Colt Black Powder rounds but after my research, it seems like no one can agree how to load them safely and correctly.

I'm using Pyrodex select RS FFg, Federal Large Pistol primers (No. 150) and Oregon Trail 250g lead bullets. I used my Lee dipper set and settled on the 2.2cc dipper. I felt that this dipper gave me a full casing with a little bit of compression. I've only loaded 1 round so far and the COAL is 1.569.

My main questions are does CalGuns feel this round is safe to shoot? Will this same 2.2cc load be okay with a 230g or 200g bullet?

I don't know if it matters, but the gun I'm using is a 5.5" Ruger Vaquero on the old Blackhawk frame.

[mark501w]

I load Pyrodex P in .45/70. I use a weight that approximates the BP volume , you should be able to find that for your powder. I add a felt Wonder Wad over the powder with a dab of Wonder Lube over the wad to keep it wet. Nice & greasy keeps the build up soft so I can push it out with a patch between magazines. I add a mag primer. The load is compressed but not crushed.

[raven290]

Thanks Mark. From what I've read you're supposed to use the substitutes in equal volumes as black powder and not weigh them. How do your pyrodex loads compare to real black powder if you're using weight?

[emptybottle151]

[Tom-ADC]

Raven, I use real BP , but remember even with the subs you must have some compression no air gap between powder and bullet allowed!
BTW 35 GRS FFFg by volume with 250 grain cast bullet

[Eljay]

The Oregon Trail bullet is pre-lubed? Usually those don't get along too well with black powder...

[Tom-ADC]

The Oregon Trail bullet is pre-lubed? Usually those don't get along too well with black powder...

I use a thin over powder card & since the lube is in the grooves and not on the base I haven't had any problems some of my 45-70 has sat loaded for months with no problems. I cast and pan lube my own bullets.

[mark501w]

Determine volume establish weight for further use.

[mark501w]

There are better powders & cleaners nowadays. P meters nicely but, it's corrosive. I use it with a Lee plastic powder measure .

[mark501w]

P is a pistol powder. It's like shooting salt in your gun, clean up is real important

[raven290]

The Oregon trail bullets are prelubed but from what I understand, it's not the right kind of lube for BP. I loaded up 6 rounds without any extra lube yesterday and I'm going to load up some more today with reduced charges using lubed wads. (And no air space, like Tom said)

[mark501w]

Never had problems with pre lubed bullets . I use a prelubed wad also.