Black Powder, 12g, available or not?

[buze]

So, I have this hammer gun, and I've been told that before I decide to get it nitro proofed (or destroyed in the process) I should try to shoot it with black powder. It sounds like heaps of fun to be honest, the few youtube videos definitely makes me want to try that!

 

Thing is, BP cartridges don't seem to be available anymore, it's only reloader who have them.

 

Am I wrong? Where can I buy a slab?

[Zapp]

They are available, just hellish expensive - around £25 a box I've heard bandied about. I'm pretty sure Gamebore do them. Justcartridges used to stock them too.

[Feltwad]

So, I have this hammer gun, and I've been told that before I decide to get it nitro proofed (or destroyed in the process) I should try to shoot it with black powder. It sounds like heaps of fun to be honest, the few youtube videos definitely makes me want to try that!

 

Thing is, BP cartridges don't seem to be available anymore, it's only reloader who have them.

 

Am I wrong? Where can I buy a slab?

Load your own it is a lot cheaper, has for factory made blackpowder cartidges I do not thing anybody makes them now

Feltwad

[buze]

Well no, load my own isn't an option -- it's an option if I want to load XXXX cartridges, but really I just want a slab and shoot that on occasions, on the charity shoot or whatever; getting the BP licence, kit and the rest isn't 'a lot cheaper', it's costly, and time consuming

[wraivi]

Could you not hand load 'manually' and use pyrodex or 777, eliminating the need for a bp/explosives licence, fill cartridge by hand, following tested and safe load data, and finally use a drill mounted rto tool. Would not be too expensive. ...perhaps even use a vintage reloading tool for more authenticity? Seen plenty on flea bay.

[Feltwad]

Well no, load my own isn't an option -- it's an option if I want to load XXXX cartridges, but really I just want a slab and shoot that on occasions, on the charity shoot or whatever; getting the BP licence, kit and the rest isn't 'a lot cheaper', it's costly, and time consuming

I have loaded blackpowder cartridges in all bore sizes for the past seven decades and I know it is a lot cheaper.

Feltwad

 

This is all you need which is not expensive

Edited October 24, 2016 by Feltwad

[Guest cookoff013]

shame your not closer.....

 

for a slab, aka the 250 shells would be hell of alot cheaper, it would pay for itself, its about a pound a pop.

[buze]

Well I did 'a bit' of googling, and it's actually not as 'cheap' as it looks.

 

+ Wads,

+ Seals for fiber wads

+ Carboard thingies to seal the carts

+ Empty cartridges,

+ Primers,

+ Powders

+ Shots

 

Etc come very quickly to >£100 per 1000's -- so even if I wanted to 'invest' and reload for my other clay shoots, it's still save me perhaps 20 or 30 quid per 1000s -- that is if I don't even consider my time to be valuable enough... How long does it take to make 250 carts, even with a machine (like that Ley Multi thingy)

 

So unless I'm missing something obvious, it just doesn't add up..?

 

Now if I were to find a 'kit' with everything for a reasonable sum, perhaps I'd be tempted -- I love the idea of making my own things, but I don't want to go to all the trouble of getting an explosive licence, 'proper' storage box (I've seen them at 'only' 70 quid) for just the odd fun day. Quite frankly 25 quid a box doesn't sound too expensive at that rate, to be honest...

[Wb123]

Last time i looked at reloading it was not cost saving on cheap clay bangers. For anything more exotic it did however seem to slowly save money, if you regard the process as worth labelling as entertainment rather than work. It did work out cost effective per hour as work but only once i worked out my take home hourly rate for local extra work after all costs and deductions.

[Guest cookoff013]

Well I did 'a bit' of googling, and it's actually not as 'cheap' as it looks.

 

+ Wads,

+ Seals for fiber wads

+ Carboard thingies to seal the carts

+ Empty cartridges,

+ Primers,

+ Powders

+ Shots

 

Etc come very quickly to >£100 per 1000's -- so even if I wanted to 'invest' and reload for my other clay shoots, it's still save me perhaps 20 or 30 quid per 1000s -- that is if I don't even consider my time to be valuable enough... How long does it take to make 250 carts, even with a machine (like that Ley Multi thingy)

 

So unless I'm missing something obvious, it just doesn't add up..?

 

Now if I were to find a 'kit' with everything for a reasonable sum, perhaps I'd be tempted -- I love the idea of making my own things, but I don't want to go to all the trouble of getting an explosive licence, 'proper' storage box (I've seen them at 'only' 70 quid) for just the odd fun day. Quite frankly 25 quid a box doesn't sound too expensive at that rate, to be honest...

its the fact they are available instantly.

BP shells and reloading go together... at 600 notes per K, is significantly cheaper. my breakeven price for nitro shells is 180-220/k.

[bruno22rf]

Wads are cheap enough and empties cost nothing, shot is cheap as well if you shop around. IF you were considering reloading with a machine I'm pretty sure that I read somewhere that you need specialist parts as any static that might build up and cause the tiniest spark in a normal machine would be entertaining to say the least. Might be cheaper to get her nitro proofed?

[demonwolf444]

Make your own explosives box, cost me less than £15 quid, and i have it coterminus with my shotgun ticket so i never have to worry about renewal they just put it through with the shotgun ticket.

 

All you need is a roll turn over tool - which you can get from auctions, dealers, or ebay for about £20 - £30 quid.

 

Kranks sells primed cases, but you can just reload your plastic cases - punch the old primer out with a hammer and nail - loads of thing on youtube about how to make cheap powder measures from cutting up old cases.

 

Powder is about £15 quid / 500 gram bottle, which will load about £100 cartridges.

 

Wads are about £2.90 /100 but i usually split my wads in half so for me £1.45/100 cartridges.

 

Over shot cards are from old boxes and such like - with a punch i got off ebay for about £5.

 

Lead is sold in 7KG tubs at kranks and is £36, again working out at about £15/100 cartrigdes.

 

If you buy primed cases its another £15/100 cartridges.

 

If you re prime your own - the primers will cost you £4.30 /100

 

Out lay cost will be for a punch, RTO tool, and materials to make the storage box will be no more than £50.

 

If you bought primed cases 25 cartridges will cost £11.97

 

If you re prime your own carts, 25 loaded cartridges will cost £9.30

 

Shot 8 driven days last year with cartridges that were home loaded - i loaded 100 carts before the first day then just topped the bag up every now and then with a few more as the season went on.

 

I need to load some cartridges for Saturday which is my first day this year, i still have some left from last year but going to time my self see how long 25 carts takes.

 

Edit to add this is just what i use as this is what suppliers nearest me offer - its likely all these components can be found cheaper.

Edited October 26, 2016 by demonwolf444