Are there advantages....

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I have several 45 colts guns and a 45-70 gun. All of which were developed in the days of black powder.

So i was wondering... are there any advantages to loading those with black powder instead of modern powders? Or is it just something to be nostalgic?
 
There is no ballistic advantage, since there are equivalent smokeless loads for both calibers, which are safe to use in guns in good mechanical condition. One possible exception is the original BP load for the .45 Colt, which achieved ca. 920 fps with a 250 or 255 grain bullet in the 7 1/2" revolver barrel, a velocity which should only be approached in stronger modern guns. Original BP revolvers should be shot with moderate loads, only, if at all, and the velocity limits of the original .45-70 BP loads not exceeded in Trapdoor and other early rifles.

PRD1 - mhb - MIke
 
There is no ballistic advantage, since there are equivalent smokeless loads for both calibers, which are safe to use in guns in good mechanical condition. One possible exception is the original BP load for the .45 Colt, which achieved ca. 920 fps with a 250 or 255 grain bullet in the 7 1/2" revolver barrel, a velocity which should only be approached in stronger modern guns. Original BP revolvers should be shot with moderate loads, only, if at all, and the velocity limits of the original .45-70 BP loads not exceeded in Trapdoor and other early rifles.

PRD1 - mhb - MIke

Well all of my guns can handle the heavy loads.

I was just wondering if there was any advantage beyond being nostalgic.
 
If you're like me and you enjoy taking apart and cleaning your guns...then black powder sure will keep you entertained. Love it. Also...i can make black powder and black powder lubes and experiment with different charcoals and other variables...so...its funner? Is that even a word? More fun maybe? Also in my limited experience i would say black powder is safer to mess with than smokeless ...but thats here say. Do any of these count as an advantage? I guess it depends on who you ask.
 
In the .45-70, you will get better long range accuracy with black powder.

This is due to very low shot to shot velocity variations. Usually running under 10 fps with properly prepared loads.

Get a copy of the SPG BP loading manual by Steve Garbe and Mike Venturino. Following their advice I get MOA groups to 500 meters.
 
are there any advantages to loading those with black powder instead of modern powders
IF you do the reloading, you get to learn some of the quirks of black powder cartridges. For example, you need to take up all the space within the cartridge, unlike with smokeless.
IF you compete in Cowboy Action Shooting, some matches have black powder cartridge classifications.
If you've ever wondered about gunfights back in the time when black powder was "gunpowder"..., crank off five rounds of .45 Colt with BP, holster that revolver and immediately draw and fire the second revolver five times...., if there is little or no breeze you will see how some folks missed each other at very close distances back then. ;)

Other than that... I can't think of any.

LD
 
IF you do the reloading, you get to learn some of the quirks of black powder cartridges. For example, you need to take up all the space within the cartridge, unlike with smokeless.
IF you compete in Cowboy Action Shooting, some matches have black powder cartridge classifications.
If you've ever wondered about gunfights back in the time when black powder was "gunpowder"..., crank off five rounds of .45 Colt with BP, holster that revolver and immediately draw and fire the second revolver five times...., if there is little or no breeze you will see how some folks missed each other at very close distances back then. ;)

Other than that... I can't think of any.

LD

Old western movies. Gunfight in the saloon with several guys shooting at each other. When it is all over it is still possible to across the room. I don't think so!!!
 
Texasgrillchief:
38 grains of FFFg black powder under a 255 grain lead bullet in the .45 Colt revolver is the original definition of "shock & awe!" After these, smokeless powder loads sound like squibs.
 
The deep reverberating boom of holy black, versus the sharp pop of smokeless.

That and emptying the tube on my 45lc Rossi and staring into the void of smoke and waiting...waiting...waiting; for the smoke to clear, the target to lethargically reappear. And then waiting for the comments, questions and the other shooters on the other lanes to stop complaining.

Those are the advantages to me. It slows me down and enjoy it more.
 
I am not a pistol guy, but the 45-70 will depend in part on what bullet you use in what rifle. For instance, a Trapdoor is basically a civil war musket shooting a cartridge. Rifling is three lands and three grooves, with the twist and depth such that there is an optimal bullet and powder combination. In the rifle, the 500 grain bullet over 70 grains of BP is quite accurate. Carbines will beat the snot out of you, worse with the 500 grain than the concave-bottom 405 grain. Now if you have a lever gun, rolling block, or something else of modern make, your rifle may care a bit less.

But shooting BP is a hoot, and gives you a good feel for what the old timers had to deal with. Just drop the cases in a jar filled with windshield wiper fluid and clean them when you get home, and it should all work well for you. Black powder smoke up the nose is good for you....
 
Well if your in a crowd you’ll get A lot of attention.
At the public Florida range during the winter shooting the revolvers it always gets someone either looking on or approaching with questions.
 
^
I’ve noticed this as well. Almost every single time at least one or two people come over asking questions.

My Ruger Old Army loaded with (weighed) 38 grns of 3F Olde Eynsford slinging 195 grn bullets is quite loud, a deep thundering bark. It’s demands attention. And my NMA loaded with (weighed) 33 grns and the same bullet is also noticeable, though not quite as much.
 
Good afternoon,
The first time I shot the Walker and promptly vanished in a huge and lingering cloud of smoke. The yell from a friend back at the loading table " Did you shoot your d**ned foot off?" A few seconds later, "I can't tell yet!" ;0) Nothing like the fun of shooting BP!
regards all!
 
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