.45 the lord’s caliber

Rockstar · 08-14-22, 07:22 PM

Anyone still shoot black powder? Using a 1873 Single Action Army, I recently finished shooting up all of my .45 colt smokeless factory loads and was planning to reload them with Swiss Supreme FFFG under an Elmer Keith 255 grain hard cast SWC. From what I’ve read back in 1873 the U.S. Army .45 Colt cartridge was 40 grains of black powder. Which was said to achieve over 1,000 FPS muzzle velocity and around 600 foot pounds muzzle energy. woot!

Unfortunately with modern day cases I can’t get more than 37 grains which is IMO still a stout load, but not exactly Army regulation. I was thinking of picking up a pound or two of Triple 7 and trying that out. It’s burns a tad hotter than the holy of holies so I think it would more than make up for the loss of volume in modern brass. Any ideas?

Just rambling.

.45-70 government. - it’s the only government I trust

Buddahaid · 08-14-22, 11:27 PM

Nope the only .45 I have is ACP. No black powder in my collection.

MaDef · 08-15-22, 08:55 AM

I don't have any black powder firearms either, but after doing a quick perusal on your particular question, I get the idea that it is done on a fairly regular basis, however the issue is finding the "correct load" to use. As far as I can tell the consensus is that the substitute powders you've listed burn faster & hotter (more efficient) so a grain for grain substitution of the powder isn't a smart idea as you could very easily over pressure the cartridge. If I were in your shoes, I'd check on some of the black powder gun forums, and also find any ballistics charts for both the bullet (if possible) and the powder (manufacturer should have it), start at the low end of your powder load and work your way up to your optimal powder charge. Run each recipe through a chronograph and a good ballistics calculator, and fine tune it as needed.

Rockstar · 08-15-22, 09:13 AM

The old balloonhead case certainly seems to have held a few more grains of powder than modern brass. But I just finished up watching a couple fellas on YouTube and use some good old fashioned redneck science and clearly demonstrated a modern case will take a full forty grain charge of black powder. But they never measured to verify the correct overall length of the cartridge. Neverthenless I’ll try that out and load some triple 7 too just for grins. Take my trusty chronograph to the range and see what happens.

Gonna be fun.

MaDef · 08-15-22, 10:29 AM

post your results cause now I'm kinda interested in the difference.

Jeff-Groves · 08-15-22, 11:09 AM

Was just reading today about an Air Gun that has 4401 FPE at the muzzle.
What Chrony do you use?

Oh. The Guy who built this is in Finland. So wonder if Dowly has heard of him?

08-14-22, 07:22 PM	#1
Rockstar Rear Admiral Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Zendia Bar & Grill Posts: 11,834 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	.45 the lord’s caliber Anyone still shoot black powder? Using a 1873 Single Action Army, I recently finished shooting up all of my .45 colt smokeless factory loads and was planning to reload them with Swiss Supreme FFFG under an Elmer Keith 255 grain hard cast SWC. From what I’ve read back in 1873 the U.S. Army .45 Colt cartridge was 40 grains of black powder. Which was said to achieve over 1,000 FPS muzzle velocity and around 600 foot pounds muzzle energy. woot! Unfortunately with modern day cases I can’t get more than 37 grains which is IMO still a stout load, but not exactly Army regulation. I was thinking of picking up a pound or two of Triple 7 and trying that out. It’s burns a tad hotter than the holy of holies so I think it would more than make up for the loss of volume in modern brass. Any ideas? Just rambling. .45-70 government. - it’s the only government I trust __________________ Guardian of the honey and nuts Let's assume I'm right, it'll save time.

08-14-22, 11:27 PM	#2
Buddahaid Shark above Space Chicken Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 8,560 Downloads: 160 Uploads: 0	Nope the only .45 I have is ACP. No black powder in my collection. __________________ "However vast the darkness, we must provide our own light." Stanley Kubrick "Tomorrow belongs to those who can hear it coming." David Bowie

08-15-22, 09:13 AM	#4
Rockstar Rear Admiral Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Zendia Bar & Grill Posts: 11,834 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	The old balloonhead case certainly seems to have held a few more grains of powder than modern brass. But I just finished up watching a couple fellas on YouTube and use some good old fashioned redneck science and clearly demonstrated a modern case will take a full forty grain charge of black powder. But they never measured to verify the correct overall length of the cartridge. Neverthenless I’ll try that out and load some triple 7 too just for grins. Take my trusty chronograph to the range and see what happens. Gonna be fun. __________________ Guardian of the honey and nuts Let's assume I'm right, it'll save time.

08-15-22, 11:09 AM	#6
Jeff-Groves Village Idiot Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 5,319 Downloads: 130 Uploads: 0	Was just reading today about an Air Gun that has 4401 FPE at the muzzle. What Chrony do you use? Oh. The Guy who built this is in Finland. So wonder if Dowly has heard of him? __________________ I don't do Stupid. So don't ask.

08-15-22, 08:55 AM	#3
MaDef Ace of the Deep Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,046 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	I don't have any black powder firearms either, but after doing a quick perusal on your particular question, I get the idea that it is done on a fairly regular basis, however the issue is finding the "correct load" to use. As far as I can tell the consensus is that the substitute powders you've listed burn faster & hotter (more efficient) so a grain for grain substitution of the powder isn't a smart idea as you could very easily over pressure the cartridge. If I were in your shoes, I'd check on some of the black powder gun forums, and also find any ballistics charts for both the bullet (if possible) and the powder (manufacturer should have it), start at the low end of your powder load and work your way up to your optimal powder charge. Run each recipe through a chronograph and a good ballistics calculator, and fine tune it as needed.

08-15-22, 10:29 AM	#5
MaDef Ace of the Deep Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,046 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	post your results cause now I'm kinda interested in the difference.