Black Powder Ammo

[mjb]

I have a question. I am thinking about purchasing a Colt 1892 .38 long colt revolver. My question is, when did manufacturers switch to smokeless powder for their products? Should I shoot black powder ammo in it, or is moderm ammo ok?

 

[Father Knows Best]

Smokeless powders first appeared in the 1890s. The .30 Winchester Central Fire cartridge (now known as the .30-30) was the first sporting cartridge specifically designed for the new propellant, and it appeared in 1895, as I recall.

I don't believe that Colt started proofing their revolvers for smokeless powders until the turn of the century, though I could be wrong about that.

To be on the safe side, use black powder loads or their equivalent. The .38 Colt round was developed in the black powder era (1870s). If you stuff it full of a smokeless nitro powder, you WILL blow up the gun. It is probably safe to fire with smokeless loads, but only mild smokeless loads that stick to black powder (or lower) pressure levels.

Of course, with any firearm that age, it should be carefully checked by a competent 'smith prior to firing.

 

[RyanM]

One thing to keep in mind is that while the average pressure between black powder loads and BP equivalent smokeless loads is the same, the pressure spike is faster and higher in the smokeless loads. If you want to err on the side of caution, use actual BP ammo. Also, make sure the bullets are dead soft lead. The barrels on those old guns will usually not tolerate hard-cast or jacketed at all.

 

[ball3006]

Load up the black powder....

it is fun to shoot. Make sure there is a bubba with his bright shiney whatever next to you and down wind.............Remember the clean up after shooting bp. There is a bp substitute that is not corrosive I think. Can't remember the name, it has been awhile since I read about it.....enjoy.....chris3

 

[20cows]

There is a bp substitute that is not corrosive I think. Can't remember the name, it has been awhile since I read about it.....enjoy.....chris3

777, Cleanshot and American Pioneer Powder.

 

[Azrael256]

Also, make sure the bullets are dead soft lead.

Cast your own (if you can), and use "butter lead." Don't even think of using tire weights, fishing weights, etc. They contain tin to stiffen the metal and will ream out the bore in short order.

 

[Jim K]

The .38 Colt military cartridge was loaded with black powder for most of the revolver's service life. The original load was 18 grains, but this was felt to be excessive and was reduced to 15.4 grains. But when the revolvers were re-issued in WWI, ammunition loaded with smokeless powder was purchased.

I can't find any loading manuals listing that round, but .38 S&W data should be OK if you stay on the low side.

Jim