roughshooter Posted November 11, 2010 Report Share Posted November 11, 2010 I am struggling to find some Black powder cartridges at a reasonable cost so am thinking I will have to load my own. So the question is what do I need?? I used to have a mec 600 jr press but got rid but I presume this wouldn't have been much good anyway? I figure I will need a rolled turnover tool of some description and some paper cases - any ideas where to source? Can I safely use Pyrodex as a black powder substiture? Bearing in mind that I have no explosives licence! If someone had the necessary stuff and wants to sell it all then I wiould be well chuffed and happy to hand a small wad of cash over looking forward to some knowledgeable help Regards Graham Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC Posted November 11, 2010 Report Share Posted November 11, 2010 Hi, If only you were a bit nearer I would load some for you. The standard game blackpowder load is 3 drams of powder and 1 1/8 of shot. I have loaded several to this recipe and they kill as well as modern loads. Ensure that you use a over powder card and fibre wad as plastic can melt leaving all kinds of crud behind. There is also no need to roll turnover either, just get the cloumn height right and crimp as usual. 3 drams is 82 grains. I have never used pyrodex but as far as I am aware it is a substitute and is used in the same way. You can get a black powder licence easily from your local FSEL department. Just ring your FEO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roughshooter Posted November 11, 2010 Author Report Share Posted November 11, 2010 Hi, If only you were a bit nearer I would load some for you. The standard game blackpowder load is 3 drams of powder and 1 1/8 of shot. I have loaded several to this recipe and they kill as well as modern loads. Ensure that you use a over powder card and fibre wad as plastic can melt leaving all kinds of crud behind. There is also no need to roll turnover either, just get the cloumn height right and crimp as usual. 3 drams is 82 grains. I have never used pyrodex but as far as I am aware it is a substitute and is used in the same way. You can get a black powder licence easily from your local FSEL department. Just ring your FEO Wish I hadn't sold my mec now - anybody got any reloading kit for sale??? Regards Graham Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC Posted November 11, 2010 Report Share Posted November 11, 2010 Get yourself a lee loadall, that is all I use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy H Posted November 11, 2010 Report Share Posted November 11, 2010 Have a look here http://www.tbullock.com/bpsg.html it gives you all the details on reloading black powder and pyrodex shotgun shells , As for bits try siarm the stock most anything you require. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Green Posted November 11, 2010 Report Share Posted November 11, 2010 (edited) You shouldn't use the powder measuring dies on the press, even supposing you could get ones big enough. Its not recommended with black powder or Pyro because of the risk of static. Anyway the powder is too rough and granular and won't meter properly. Get a Lee powder measure kit. You can get paper cases from Henry Krank or Clay Game before they close down. Both will also sell roll turnover tools as well. Both sell wads etc but Kranks are quite dear. Talk to clay game and tell him what you want to do, he will advise you but apparantly he's closing down soon so don't delay. Edited November 11, 2010 by Vince Green Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roughshooter Posted November 11, 2010 Author Report Share Posted November 11, 2010 Thanks for all the advice guys - I will get on the research and see what I can pick up secondhand or see what claygame have. I notice Peter lawman has some brass magtech cases - anybody used these? Regards Graham Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest cookoff013 Posted November 12, 2010 Report Share Posted November 12, 2010 one thing i`ve been told is when seating the wad and OP card, use 50 lbs of wad seating pressure, any air in their is a bad idea. also select the right grade of powder. there is different grain size. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Green Posted November 12, 2010 Report Share Posted November 12, 2010 one thing i`ve been told is when seating the wad and OP card, use 50 lbs of wad seating pressure, any air in their is a bad idea. also select the right grade of powder. there is different grain size. Most definitly use the right grain size, its very important. When starting out, load a number of thick over powder cards until the right wad column height is achieved. Count them as you put them in. That will tell you the height of the wad column that is required. Usually its something like one thick OP wad plus a half inch felt wad and maybe something like another card wad for packing to get the right height. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lapwing Posted November 13, 2010 Report Share Posted November 13, 2010 You need plenty of decent card wads: over the felt wad, and over shot if using rto. I find a word with local publican produces a stack of new beer mats which are just the right material..... Oh and dont be tempted to use them rabbiting in stubble fields next harvest! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roughshooter Posted November 15, 2010 Author Report Share Posted November 15, 2010 Thanks for all the advice guys I have picked up a second hand press (versamec - similar to my old 600 jr). A local cartridge supplier is getting me assorted wads and paper and 2 1/2" paper cases direct from express so should be ready to start playing come thursday. I have started researching a little over Pyro and the advice from the americans is still to treat as black powder and use by volume? I have an ols powder measure that I used on a muzzleloader should I use that and then use the same volume of lead??? Any advice is extrememly welcome Regards Graham Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floating Chamber Posted November 15, 2010 Report Share Posted November 15, 2010 Pm sent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Green Posted November 15, 2010 Report Share Posted November 15, 2010 Pyro loads the same volume to volume as black powder so a 3 dram powder measure will give you the equivilent load as if it were black powder. But the Pyro will weigh less than if it were BP. This is OK. I have the Hogdon manual here for Pyrodex. If you want I can photocopy the relevent bits and send them to you. PM me or email Greenvbg@aol.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roughshooter Posted November 16, 2010 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2010 Pyro loads the same volume to volume as black powder so a 3 dram powder measure will give you the equivilent load as if it were black powder. But the Pyro will weigh less than if it were BP. This is OK. I have the Hogdon manual here for Pyrodex. If you want I can photocopy the relevent bits and send them to you. PM me or email Greenvbg@aol.com PM sent Vince Cheers Graham Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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