doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion Double Rifles, Paradox Guns & Gauge Rifles @ doublegunshop.com BPE Powder Loads

For those of you who shoot BPE doubles, besides loading nitro-for-black, do you actually load blackpowder cartridges?

If so, what brand powder do you favor and what grade (FFg, FFFg etc)do you use?

Much Obliged - Marc

Mark,

I wouldn't suggest you use any modern Nitro Powder in these old rifles. The original Nitro for BP rifle rounds were made in the early days of Nitro powder evolution specifically Cordite manufacture. If you stay with BP you and your rifle will be safe.

I have little doubt others may disagree, that's their prerogative but I didn't get to 70 years of age by taking chances when loading ammo. Ive loaded many BP cartridges over the last 50+ years. The larger the calibre the coarser the powder grain is the rule of thumb. I'd suggest FG or FFg for rifles, FFFG for pistols and FFFFG for flintlock frizzen pans. As to brand, it seems you have to take what you can get these days, but I'd suggest you stay with genuine BP rather than the substitutes that are around. My prefered powder was Curtis and Hardy's No.6, sadly no longer made. Today in Britain I believe most of our BP is sourced from Spain.

The thing to remember with older firearms is, that steel doesn't improve with age like fine wine, so don't maltreat the old girl.


Harry.

Happy Birthday Harry.

If you dig out the Graeme Wright book, he says FF for the 450 and 500 BPE.


Best wishes for you Birthday also Harry!

Thank you Mike, all financial donations gratefully received. lol.

Harry.

Cheers Mike, actually I'm 21 with an additional 49 years of experience. PMSL.

Harry

Really??

I'm 21 also but I started counting backwards when I hit the 40 mark!

Cheers Harry!

I use Swiss 1 1/2 in my 450 Holland.I have tried Goex ff,it's about 100 fps slower than Swiss in my rifle.

Blackpowder is getting harder and harder to purchase. I agree with Glenz Swiss 1 1/2 or 2 ff for most all cartridges, even the big bores. Kik is also a good strong BP.

Thanks Mike, sorry I appear to have overlooked you yesterday, No offence meant and I hope none taken.

Harry

No problem. I'm used to being overlooked, that's the way I like it. lol

Marc: I did a lot of testing with my 450-3.25" BPE before the first EEDRC match was held just over ten years ago. Rules are black only, cast pb bullets (no checks) and NO cleaning between shots while at a of the multiple shooting position, 10 shots was the longest in a 40 shot match. This one got everyone with Swiss unless they really did their homework and had a lot of lube, which means less room for powder in the case. I did my testing at my local range with 2F, Swiss, Lido, Dragoon, KIK and Goex. (no cartridge powder then). What I found was Swiss left a very hard residue and in a clean bore it did great, after that things went off the 2' paper at 50yards. I concluded that the cheapest, dirtiest powder (Lido) left the 'moistest' residue and I could shoot 10 shots (5x5) without cleaning and without much loss in group size. This also allowed me to get 120gr of 2F in the case.
I shoot paper patch bullet in a Henry rifled hammered double.

Thank you VERY much, Rick, for telling me your experiences with loading blackpowder in the specified cartridge cases, as well as Mr Glenz, PM (BTW, I get BP from a couple places, no trouble), and Harry (although Harry I take your admonishments with a grain of 4198. Also assure you I've always shot nothing but Black, no subs in my cellar).

Perhaps I should mention that I already know what Graeme Wright has used, in fact he even wrote a book with a whole chapter on what he loaded, and Happy Birthday to all, which I guess was the real topic of this thread after all. Big Fat smooches coming your way.

I have heard that both centerfire rifle and pistol amoo in certain calibers is getting hard to find, but I didn't know blackpowder was- I have a 16 ounce red and white logo cannister of GOEX, INC in FFg- I have an older Colt Navy C&B- but I don't load and shoot it today--I'd be glad to sell it at a fair market price, but it cannot be shipped VIA UPS or USPS--legend on rear side near base reads- Manufactured by GOEX, Inc. EXPLOSIVES DIVISION, BELIN PLANT MOOSIC, PENNSYLVANIA, 18507. U.S.A.

You might get $17 - $25. But it's illegal for a private party to sell through the mail. You don't need $17 - 25$ that much, do you?