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Member Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 1545 Location: Michigan

I'm cross posting this, because I'm looking for as much imput as possible.
I just loaded up 50 rounds on my Grabber.
Winchester Super X hull, trimmed to 2-9/16"
Win. 209 primer
75 grains by Volume of 2F Pyrodex, used the #46 bushing
One 1/8" nitro card
One 3/8" Fiber wad
1 oz. #8 lead shot
6 point crimps.

I found a known tested load very close to this, except they used
regular 3F black powder. It tested out at 1200 FPS @ 5000 PSI.
Anyone care to guess how the 2F Pyrodex will compare to the 3F BP.
Thanks, Dave

Member Joined: 08 Nov 2005 Posts: 3439 Location: Illinois

Any danger of setting off that powder??????I have always thought that black/black substitute powder was not to be metered out of a standard measure whether an RCBS Uniflow or a MEC loader????I don't know-----Static was to be the main culprit Wink

Joined: 18 Jan 2005 Posts: 56 Location: tulsa

Hodgdon recently has published the results of a study they had done by a Canadian firm that showed that Pyrodex and 777 did not pose a safety hazard to use in regular smokeless powder measures. They said they are going to rewrite their warnings. Some black powder sites are now saying the same thing about APP, but I have not seen anything from them officially.

Member Joined: 18 Aug 2006 Posts: 114 Location: Tucson, AZ

Have you shot these yet Dave? Should provide a nice Boom/puff! Very Happy

Member Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 1545 Location: Michigan

OK - I still can't figure out why black powder...

I'll guess older/damascus guns?

Member Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 1545 Location: Michigan

Sprocket,
I've got a 16 gauge Parker Hammer gun, that was made in 1878.
It's got 32" Twist steel barrels. I shoot smokeless low pressure loads in it.
But I just think it would be cool, to bust some clays with black powder loads.
I've did it with my 12 gauge hammer gun, and it really is something to see.
You have a rough time on doubles, unless the wind is blowing hard enough to clear the smoke. Laughing

Member Joined: 18 Aug 2006 Posts: 114 Location: Tucson, AZ

Member Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 1545 Location: Michigan

Well, I shoot these loads at skeet today. I had to pull my own birds, so I was shooting low gun. They busted birds great when I did my part, but I think this load is a little slow. I'm going to load some more, using regular 3F Black Powder, not 2F Pyrodex.

Member Joined: 18 Aug 2006 Posts: 114 Location: Tucson, AZ

Are you sure it was the powder that was slow...............? Rolling Eyes

Member Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 1545 Location: Michigan

Member Joined: 18 Aug 2006 Posts: 114 Location: Tucson, AZ

I use Ed's Red solution for barrel cleaning most of the time. I have found that Ballistol, either straight or cut 50% with water, is great for cleaning BP residue/barrels. www.ballistol.com Hope you are not snowed in. Sad

Joined: 21 Dec 2006 Posts: 40 Location: Memphis, TN

Sounds like fun! I have a 1956 Winchester Model 12. Would there be any reason I couldn't load some BP shells for that gun? From what you posted, it looks like the pressures and velocities are within normal limits.

I would be concerned with BP getting into anything other than the barrel, causing potential corrosion problems. I mean, with a two-pipe or a muzzle-loader, there's not much chance of the sulfur residue getting anywhere but in the barrel. But with a repeater, I can see how it might get into the breach/magazine area and be hard to clean out.

Any thoughts on that?

Member Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 1545 Location: Michigan

Your model 12 will handle these loads just fine.
I'm shooting them in a 1887 Parker hammer gun with Twist steel barrels.
You may or may not get some BP fouling in the breech area. Try it one time and see. If it's to much trouble to clean after, don't shoot them again.
It really is a Hoot to shoot these loads. Be warned, it's addicting. And doubles are hard to hit on a calm day. Laughing