My recollection is that the original black powder load was 40 grains. It was POWERFUL!

@roballen8431

Ай бұрын

I have seen frankfort arsenal boxes that say 30 grains.i think the army reduced the load before it adopted .45 schofield

I've never seen black powder light from static electricity either. I personally don't think there's a problem. if there was they wouldn't package black powder in plastic containers. That is a really nice setup.

@seantierney3

2 жыл бұрын

the plastic used in those containers is a special kind that does not build up large static charges. I remeber reading an article by a guy who tried to design an electronically fired rifle. showed black powder is too conductive to ignite that way. he was using a taser on little piles of bp.

@snappers_antique_firearms

2 жыл бұрын

@@seantierney3 thanks I did not know that.

@callawayken650

2 жыл бұрын

The sheets that you throw in the clothes dryer will remove static by wiping the plastic. They also work on the powder funnel to keep the powder flowing and not cling to the funnel.

@ChicanoSteve

Жыл бұрын

That's a good point Snapper! Lol...

@northcentralindianawx

Жыл бұрын

From what I've heard, modern blk powder has a dust added to coat it to help prevent against static charge. If true, key word "help"

I hope that your videos are archived for historical purposes. I haven't seen any other videos so detailed! Excellent work good sir!

Started loading in 1959 as a young lad with my great uncle who used only BP in his Colt SAA in 45 Colt. He used a steel handled Ideal/Lyman 310 tool. He said smokeless powder was a passing phase, and always used BP. By 1960 I had my own 310 and was loading for an old S&W M&P 4" 38Spl. With BP of course. Then I got a Lyman Spartan press and started using smokeless. I used a new (1960 mfg) Ideal/Lyman #55 measure and an Ideal No.5 measure made in 1910. Most people are ignorant of the numbered scale on the rotar of these measures. Those numbers ARE for black powder. It is my firm belief that the manufacturers of loading gear "created" a market for "black powder measures" to sell something to the BP enthusiasts, based upon the myth of BP in measures being dangerous. Yup, BP is fine in measures as that was the norm for decades prior to the marketing ploy by the reloading makers of gear. I load over a dozen calibers with 310s to this day. Also the old Spartan press and an equally old Spar-T rotery press are my bench mounted tools. In 62 years I've been safe and sound loading BP with any of my tools.

Thank you sir! Ive used lee classic loaders for both 45/70 and 45 colt and since I'm not reloading a lot, the lee singe stage press work well for me.

@W1ldt1m

2 жыл бұрын

Me too. I keep wanting to go progressive but I've got my process down so consistently I hesitate to learn anything new.

Love that noise.

I'm looking forward to your videos on the Colt 1878, a stronger revolver than the 1877. Several years ago I had a chance to buy a nice nickel plated 1878 but confusion about the strength of the piece kept me from buying, a decision I now regret.

Very interesting. I'll probably never reload but I really love the way you explain things. Thanks Mike.

@duelist1954

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks.

On the static issue, yes, I would caution against the plastic dispenser. I have a gunsmith friend who years ago was removing a .58 minie' bullet from a loaded 3 band Enfield replica. Standing on a rubber backed carpeted floor mat in the shop he dipped the muzzle and the static somehow managed to spark off the charge- no cap on the nipple- and fired that ball through his calf. He had what may best be described as a religious experience and it drive home to me the point to avoid any static electricity generation around holy black at all cost.

@Bouzoukiellas

2 жыл бұрын

He’s probably the last person to ever get shot with a minor ball too.

Be careful on the ice. I fell and broke my arm and collarbone 3 years ago from falling because of the ice under the snow. Thanks for the videos. I enjoy them all.

I'm a big fan of the Lee turret press and powder drop. Easy to use and set up.

Living on the wild side. That's Mike for ya.

Always a pleasure catching your video, thank you.

Love the Colt 45 and this Channel.

Great video thanks Mike

Thank you Mike, all your videos are very educative for me, I'm learning a lot about the black powder world (and much more), and hope to see those pocket guns out shooting soon!

Mike, thanks for the black powder cartridge reloading videos! They are very helpful. I am looking forward to seeing a video on making paper cartridges for the standard ringtail bullet, or Christmas tree bullet, for the Sharps rifle.

Good morning brother from Syracuse NY and thank you for sharing your thoughts and adventures in guns of history

Nice press. Never thought about reloading black powder 45 colt on a progressive press. I load black powder 45 colt on a Lee hand press. Super cool though. Great video!

That's a cool setup

@duelist1954

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks

Thank you for posting.

Thank you. Enjoyed seeing how you work out these loads. Dillon Press looks awesome.

Thank you. You have inspired me to try reloading.

Another great video Mike.

Thanks for the video. I'd say to a beginner to start with a single stage until you get the hang of the process and then move up.

I really enjoyed, and learned a lot, from your articles in a certain magazine that will go unnamed (because their subscription department pissed me the hell off last year). I still buy issues "off the rack" from time to time but the magazine is just not the same nowadays. If I wanted to shoot BBs I'd buy a BB gun or guns and be done with it! Thank goodness for your KZread channel as I can actually watch in "real time" how you do things and follow along as necessary. Even though I don't own a Dillion press I do appreciate everything you said about it/them as I have been considering the Lee equivalent(s) for some time now. Take care and keep the great videos coming!!!

@duelist1954

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks. I plan to.

U convinced me to buy a lee powder disk measure. I prime by hand. I have a 550b too. I wasn’t sure if the powder measure would work. Thanks mike

Great video as always, got me thinking of a set up on my 550B for 44-40 BP loads. Got the press and the dies, need brass and a new rifle..!🤠

Looking forward to the 1878 Colt video. I've been fascinated by this model since I was a kid after reading about how it was pressed into service during the Philippines Insurrection. I too am waiting for the weather to clear. I'm listening to salt trucks roll down my street as I'm watching this.

I use the Lee Pro 1000, but I load the cases manually into the press and the bullets onto the cases by hand. It slows the process and in my experience can prevent negative issues. Thanks for your demo Mike, it was enjoyable to see your method.

Thanks for sharing your knowledge and

Good Video. Thank you so much

The "static prevention" technique I used to see listed for running flake powders in plastic cylinder measures was "fill sink with a couple gallons waters, add a tablespoon or 2 of Joy dishwasher liquid. Drop measure components in the solution, wet completely. Remove components, air dry without rinsing". Voila, no more "static cling" in hopper, rotor, or drop tube. My lee measure never suffered from the problem after doing so, and I'd repeat the process every dozen load sessions or so.

I have a Dillon 550B . Saved me a lot of time reloading back in the early 90s . l use to shoot a lot of steel back then. IHMSA. Shooting chicken pigs turkey and Rams 200 meters. You are right the primer set to change over from large to small sucks. But still better then a single stage. I do shoot a lot of cap and ball. Love the Remington. Have 2 of them. That's for sharing.

Great tutorial, Mike! Clear and easy to understand, as always. I use a Dillon 550 B press also, for all my pistol reloading needs. Likewise, prefer the LEE powder measure. Works well and very consistent. Though the 550 may be slow compared to a full progressive press, I like the manual indexing feature . Much easier to troubleshoot and fix problems that may pop up during the reloading cycle.

@duelist1954

2 жыл бұрын

I agree 100%

Nice set-up, thank you for sharing.

Add the crowd goes WILD!!!! been looking forward to this one Super thanks!!!

@duelist1954

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you like it.

I LOVE that revolver !!!!

@duelist1954

2 жыл бұрын

Me too!

Thanks for the detailed info, especially about the Lee powder measure. Lee is great. I have a Lee progressive, a little quirky, but works. If we don't see you next week, we'll know what happened, LOL. Primers: Stiil can't find them...has killed my reloading/CAS hobbies.

@6Sally5

2 жыл бұрын

You can reload primers! TEDIOUS, but when you have no other options, you adapt, improvise, and overcome. Plus it’s just good to have the ability in your wheelhouse.

Nice Colt. I've loaded 45colt BP some. More powder generates more heat at the range. Mild compression seems better to than heavy. I don't know about the static issue. They're a lot of fun, and would have sure done whatever job needed doing in the past or even now.

I am always so timid about sharing my black powder progressive press with others as I have seen some real sloppy and scary operations. I have a Hornady AP press set up with a Hornady black powder measure and it works fine for me. It has the same primer feed design issues as the Dillon so I prime my cases first. I use this setup for both 45 Colt and 44 WCF. For smokeless I have 5 old Star Machine Works presses that do everything I need except 41 long Colt. I look forward to your pocket pistol series.

That Progressive must be pretty slick once you get cranking!

Like you I have multiple calibers. Multiple presses. But my favorite is a 3 hole turret. Lee dies, powder measures on separate turrets. Very quick change overs.

The residue from fired black powder contains salts that are hydroscopic, so it's something of a double whammy when moisture is present. It's always a good idea to clean after shooting, although if the weather is dry it can sit for a few days w/o issue on a gun, stainless or not. If you aren't sure about timing or weather, it's a good idea to at least spray it down with a solution of "moose milk" which is ballistol and water mixed about 1:7-10.

@duelist1954

2 жыл бұрын

True enough, but this video was about reloading, not shooting or cleaning…so…

Love your videos

@duelist1954

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks

I use the clear plastic T/C powder flasks for BP at the range. When new they do get a static cling to the particles but as they are used the graphite coats the inside and static cling is no longer an issue. If plastic is so bad as some folks think, it would be rather stupid for BP manufacturers to ALL use plastic containers. Great video. I just bought a Uberti Single Action Army in .45LC and am looking into traditional reloads.

Hey Mike! Nice and informative video. Concerning the powder measure, I believe since it's mounted in the metal press, it should eliminate the static build up. Of course I'm assuming that the press is grounded.

@stevecushman2830

2 жыл бұрын

The worst part of the Dillon powder measure is adjusting the charge bar. The fix is to buy an Arredondo micrometer charge bar ($130) or install an Arredondo micrometer kit ($90). To insure that the metal parts of the Dillon powder measure is always solidly grounded to the press make a wiring harness* that connects the powder measure funnel to one of the cap screws that clamp the powder measure to the powder measure mounting die. Include a 100k ohm resistor between the press metal frame & building ground. Also, use anti-static dryer sheets to wipe the inside of plastic powder hoppers before filling with powder. To improve consistency of powder drops velcro a battery operated fish tank air pump to the hopper lid. *Uniquetek sells a 2 piece ground cord that includes a NEMA no. 5-15P plug that has the resistor molded into the plug ($32).

Love your channel! Got a tone of Pyrodex left over from muzzle loader hunting days and used some in 45 colt cartridges. Shoots a little hot for Sass at 30 grains 200grain bullet though. Tried 20 with cream of wheat very messy. Love the smoke though.

@blueduck9409

2 жыл бұрын

Pyrodex is an excellent powder. It works VERY well in rifles. Most of the mess is contained in the barrel. Not so much with pistols / revolvers. Shotguns and rifles, is great.

Mike, I too have a Dillon 550 and I agree the priming system leaves a lot to be desired. I only load pistol calibers on it and I remove the de-capping plns from all my dies. I resize all my cases then reprime with a hand primer. Yes, I know, it adds another step but I don't care......reloading is therapeutic for me! I load all of my rifle cartridges with an RCBS single stage press and again I use a hand priming tool. Thank you for your videos.....

I am waiting for that pocket revolvers You have mention. I`ve recently aquired sharps pepperbox in 22 short and iver johnson buldog in .32short and still looking for some little S&W lemon squeezer in .38 SW so I would happily look upon your pocket revolvers too.

Thank you for the awesome videos! If there’s anyone I would love to learn reloading blackpowder cartridges from, it’s without a doubt Duelist1954!

@duelist1954

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

Can't wait to see the .32 pocket pistols! Big fan of the 5/16's.

Really cool thanks for sharing

@duelist1954

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you liked it.

Thanks Mike, I use Lee brand and enjoy reloading.

@duelist1954

2 жыл бұрын

They are usually a good value

Great video, thankyou

Let's see some gallery loads that you were telling me about

A very useful and informative video, Mike, thank you. I have to say, however, that a lot of people show how to operate a reloading press, but that's not the hard part--the hard part is setting the dies. I would like to see more tips and procedures for making sure the dies are set right. I ruined about five cartridges in the last batch I did because I flared the case mouths a *tiny* bit too much, and when I seated the bullets, the seating die crumpled the edge of the case mouth, making the cartridge worthless and ruining the brass. How much crimp? How deep to seat the bullet? How much case mouth expansion? Also, what about annealing and trimming the brass? How often, and under what circumstances?

@duelist1954

2 жыл бұрын

I'll dd it to the list

I have the Lyman 5 stage T-Mag turret press! I absolutely love it!!

You can rub down the powder measure with a dryer sheet. It will prevent static.

Get a Hornady Lock-n-load, Mike. I’ve been loading for many years, and have had several brands of loaders. I believe Hornady’s L & N is one of the best on the market.

I have been using the Dillon 550 for several decades to load black powder in my 45 Colt. To appease those that assured me I was going to blow up I added a grounding strap. Wire around the plastic powder hopper and then run it down to the concrete floor and under a bench leg to hold it in place. Still have not blown up.

@duelist1954

2 жыл бұрын

Glad to hear it! LOL

Cool,mike

This is amazing! You got me into a 1851 navy which I love. Now I want to reload! Do you have a video that show the setting up of the press? What dies to use, where to buy? Go to midway and look and I am confused to exactly what dies to buy and why.

@duelist1954

2 жыл бұрын

I don’t have the videos you need…I’ll have to do some, but it won’t be very soon.

I use anti static dryer sheets and whipe out everything such as powder hopper, funnel, dippers, powder trickle, pan, ect. Little piece of mind and stops the nuisance of any power black, ball or flake sticking.

@duelist1954

2 жыл бұрын

Good idea

I think primer feeds must be endemic to every Progressive press. I use a Hornady Lock and Load Progressive. I don't load black powder with it but I load 45 Colt with Trail Boss for cowboy action shooting. I might get a run of about 30 bullets and then somehow a primer will get twisted or turned in the primer feed tube and then you have to stop and try to pull the tube out without spilling primers all over the floor. I feel your pain.👍🏻

I would suggest that if you plan on using these or 44-40 in a lever action rifle, that you put a factory crimp on the cartridge to finish it off.

@duelist1954

2 жыл бұрын

I use a Lee factory crimp die on my .44-40s. These are .45 Colt rounds. You should search my channel for my .44-40 reloading video…it is full of little tricks.

Thanks for sharing this video. I also agree that the Dillon is over engineered, especially the powder measure!

I use my Dillon Square Deal B to load .45 LC. Champion.

I love watching your vids please keep them coming. Your friend, -Jeremy

The static and plastic issue a valid concern, but I think I agree with you, not necessarily a problem in low volume, low speed reloading. By low speed I mean the powder isn't moving very much or fast. Also, note that both black and smokeless powder usually comes in plastic containers now... There are plastics that are "anti static" or at least don't allow the generation of static when they get rubbed. It's used in the electronics industry for packaging modern electronic components. I just googled "anti static powder measure", it looks like Lyman at least is claiming anti static technology in their automatic electronic measure. Now, if you decide to start milling black powder and are generating dust, well look out!

@duelist1954

2 жыл бұрын

I have friends who make black powder...which has convinced me to keep buying mine ready-made. LOL

I used a Hornady press for years. The primer feed was very problematic on it as well. I finally figured out that I could place a brazing rod with a weight on it in the tube and it work much better. Don't know it that will help with the Dillon or not.

thank you

Enjoyed the video. Have you compared Trailboss with your black powder loads?

Good video

@duelist1954

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks

love reloading reload for 44-40 plus other calibers just wondering whats your take on over powder cards i use them in all my loading of blackpowder Cartridges .Thanks Mike for another fine video always informative.Cheers

@duelist1954

2 жыл бұрын

I use them for some BPCR rifle cartridges, but, other than that I stopped using them over 20 years ago. I found they just didn’t make a performance difference

Fascinated by this very good video in many ways. My main question...no drop tube? Any affect on accuracy?

@duelist1954

2 жыл бұрын

Not for pistol charges. They are too light to make a difference in accuracy...Rifles, yes

I use a hornady LnL. I would use a mechanical powder measure and measure it out on a scale then set my powder drop to drop that weight of black powder which in my case I would load 38lc 150 gr bullets from stateline.

I used the Lee progressive just didn't like the primer seating. Ended up hand priming prior to use.

My first reloading tool was a Lyman Tong Tool. It was ok for me at the time, but tar shelll extractor eventually broke. I was curious how you did the primer feed on the Dillon. After jamming mine many times, I now use a Lee hand primer tool, Thanks for your videos and a happy personality.

@duelist1954

2 жыл бұрын

I hate the primer feed on Dillon presses…worst feature.

Black powder is fun to shoot but it might not be for everyone. If you shoot a 45 colt BP round and the air temp is so so, sometimes there's a smoke ring that will travel down range and sometimes bounce on the ground, and it looks really neat to see. Some shooters might not know this but shooting a lot of BP in a blue steel gun, the BP will burn out the forcing cone, and the BP will burn up your cases.

Static is not a problem if you know what you are doing. Fill your sink with hot water and a little dish washing soap. Dunk your plastic components, the lightly rinse them off. Wipe them off and let them air dry a day or so. The soap residue will eliminate any static buildup.

I look forward to seeing you rebuild your Dillon priming system. It can work well when properly tuned. If you still have trouble with it, please share. Perhaps I or another of your viewers can help diagnose any problem you are encountering.

Hi Mike, I’m starting to get back into reloading after a long break. Have a little LEE single station and my old Dillon from my practical pistol days, it’s a 550 not even a ‘B.’ I’m from England, and love the Old West and will be shooting a replica 1892 lever gun, black powder 44-40. I love LEE dies and it would be good to know the model LEE powder measure you use, cheers!

Coat the plastic with DAWN dish soap. Uncle showed me that back in the 60's. Never had an issue.

Awesome video M. Do u have any insight into using Trail Boss for antique cartridges?

@duelist1954

2 жыл бұрын

Never used it...sorry.

Thank you Mike. I like that you point out the 'myths' that have been foisted on us by mostly well intended people that don't know better. Also thanks for the primer tip. I have not had any issues with standard LP primers, but do not push the loads much. I have a RCBS Partner press I got when I started to reload again and use it to de-prime my cases and I will most likely use it to reload BP cartridges at least for now. I also hand prime my cases as I can do it sitting in my easy chair rather than at the bench. I am not fond of the on press primers.

Since you're going into pocket pistols next and they're presumably precision ones, I'm curious if any of them are the Marston pocket revolver. I don't have any precision pistols, myself, but am looking to get one in the near future, probably a Spiller & Burr. I'd prefer a Whitney with cartridge conversion and shipped the internet for any Whitney's and came across the even more diminutive Marston. I believe I saw one at a gun show in Milwaukee about 10 years ago for a few hundred, but I didn't bite, and I'm regretting it now. It's a beautiful design. Still, I can't find anything on these Marston pistols or why they look so much like Remington/Whitney designs. I'd really be interested in a video on these, if you know anything, and can provide your customary in-depth analysis.

Mike, have you ever done a video on the 1860 army Kirst conversion ?

@duelist1954

2 жыл бұрын

No, I haven't

Thanks for the vid Mr. B. 8 am

I would like to see you shoot that 1878... i just got 1..keep up the good work.!

@duelist1954

2 жыл бұрын

When the weather, and my health both settle down...I'm getting over a cold.

Running a turret press like that. If you wanted to load lighter cartridges say like 20 grains. Is it possible to put two powder measures on it. Say one for your black powder and the other for filler to take away the empty space in the cartridge.

What bullet weight did you use and what disc did you use for the correct powder charge

Since the 38 special was originally designed as a BP cartridge, can you use the same 45 colt method to develop a load. Thanks for this series, they are an outstanding resource.

@duelist1954

2 жыл бұрын

Yes you can

I like progressive loading presses. I'm a bit lazy so i like machines that do most of the work LOL!

Yep pretty sure most everyone that uses the 550b hates that primer feed. It's a fiddly piece of equipment. Also now going to have to see if Lee actually has anything in stock. Looks like I need some new powder measures 🙂

@duelist1954

2 жыл бұрын

Agreed! I'm getting ready to rebuild mine, after 15 years it is getting worn

I am not familiar with progressive presses, so let me tell you what I do not understand. I noticed that the first pull resized and decapped the case, and then the second pull loaded the powder. But when did you seat a new primer?

Anther very informative video, thanks Mike! A question for you. How do you clean up your bench and workspace after you load black powder? I have used a small vacuum to do my cleanup, but I am not convinced that that is very safe. Maybe I am overthinking it, your thoughts?

@Bucky1836

2 жыл бұрын

If its brushless you should be good

@duelist1954

2 жыл бұрын

I use canned air. Then I sweep the bench with a brush. Then I sweep up the floor and dust bin it.

@saskafrass1985

2 жыл бұрын

Not overthinking. It's something that I wondered too. I use a damp paper towel in my paranoia to wipe the work surface after. I am not afraid, just afraid of messing up.

@Bucky1836

2 жыл бұрын

@@saskafrass1985 caution is alway good

Mike, ever use the Lyman Ideal 310 tool?

@duelist1954

2 жыл бұрын

Yes. kzread.info/dash/bejne/fWt-s8mqnrychc4.html

Okay, so if it's dangerous to use a plastic powder measure for black powder why have companies been packaging that powder in plastic containers for sale for at least 10 years now? Prior to that the packaging was mostly steel cans. Hummm, can you get a spark off of steel? I agree with you Mike, keep up the good work.

I like making up BP 45 Colt cartridges and let friends see what it really looked like in a wild west gunfight !!!!