reloading

BRTCP88 · May 29th, 2009, 05:14 PM

anyone know of an easy to understand tutorial on reloading? Do you think I could use a reloading press to the blanks that I use for Civil War reenacting?

rmilchman · May 29th, 2009, 08:25 PM

About a month ago I purchased "The ABC's of Reloading". It was a good read, my problem is that I can not get small pistol primers for reloading,

Valkman · May 29th, 2009, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmilchman

About a month ago I purchased "The ABC's of Reloading". It was a good read, my problem is that I can not get small pistol primers for reloading,

That's the book you want to read, and maybe a reloading manual or three.

gumaro · May 30th, 2009, 12:02 AM

The book mentioned above is a good place to start. What kind of blank cartridges are you trying to make? I thought most of the Civil War firearms were cap and ball revolvers, muzzle loaders, and a few rim fire rifles. I read that for cap and ball revolvers you load same amount or 2/3 of powder normally used depending on caliber, no ball, wad, and cap, but I have never tried it. I remember there was a article in a issue of Shotgun News about making blanks, but I no longer have it, it talked about the die needed to make various blanks (star crimped the case) and powder used to make various rounds with the same die.

BRTCP88 · May 30th, 2009, 01:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gumaro

The book mentioned above is a good place to start. What kind of blank cartridges are you trying to make? I thought most of the Civil War firearms were cap and ball revolvers, muzzle loaders, and a few rim fire rifles. I read that for cap and ball revolvers you load same amount or 2/3 of powder normally used depending on caliber, no ball, wad, and cap, but I have never tried it. I remember there was a article in a issue of Shotgun News about making blanks, but I no longer have it, it talked about the die needed to make various blanks (star crimped the case) and powder used to make various rounds with the same die.

Just normal paper tubes with powder inside. It's the same thing the actual soldiers used, except that there's no bullet. I don't know that much about reloading, but I thought I might be able to load the paper tube with powder the way you fill the brass cartridge.

boscobeans · May 30th, 2009, 10:11 AM

Major problems with your idea.

1. There are warnings about using any modern powder measuring systems with black powder. It doesn't flow the same way modern smokeless powders do. I would not want to have a hopper full of black powder explode in my face. Smokeless powder burns (could still be a major problem) but black powder will explode.

2. The paper you use (usually soaked in potassium nitrate) is also extremely sensitive to the slightest spark.

I would stick to the old fashioned methods of measuring and loading the paper cartridges (blanks).

bosco

torrejon224 · May 30th, 2009, 06:17 PM

Go to your local library. Mine has nine books on reloading and most are on the shelf most of the time. The ABC is a good basic book and there are several others. Most of the large manuals that outfits like Speer, Lee and the powder companies are available as PDF versions on line so before you spend $30 or more for a manual do a google search. For instance Hodgon, IMR and Winchester have a fully searchable data base on line for different calibers, powders, etc! I have an old laptop in the shed where I do my reloading and it has just been a great resource.

BRTCP88 · May 30th, 2009, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boscobeans

Major problems with your idea.

1. There are warnings about using any modern powder measuring systems with black powder. It doesn't flow the same way modern smokeless powders do. I would not want to have a hopper full of black powder explode in my face. Smokeless powder burns (could still be a major problem) but black powder will explode.

2. The paper you use (usually soaked in potassium nitrate) is also extremely sensitive to the slightest spark.

I would stick to the old fashioned methods of measuring and loading the paper cartridges (blanks).

bosco

Whoa, thanks for the warning. Why didn't I think of that *facepalm*

cvhoss · May 30th, 2009, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BRTCP88

Just normal paper tubes with powder inside. It's the same thing the actual soldiers used, except that there's no bullet. I don't know that much about reloading, but I thought I might be able to load the paper tube with powder the way you fill the brass cartridge.

If expense isn't a problem, Lyman, Hornady, and RCBS all make black powder measures. The main difference between these and smokeless powder measures are that for black powder, there are no steel moving parts (to prevent a spark) and no plastic parts such as the hopper (to prevent a static spark). I have the Lyman BP measure and use it to load BP 45-70 cartridge loads.

Hoss

sui-juris · May 31st, 2009, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmilchman

About a month ago I purchased "The ABC's of Reloading". It was a good read, my problem is that I can not get small pistol primers for reloading,

I read that book too and highly recommend it.

May 29th, 2009, 05:14 PM	#1
BRTCP88 Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: USA Posts: 121	reloading anyone know of an easy to understand tutorial on reloading? Do you think I could use a reloading press to the blanks that I use for Civil War reenacting? __________________ The point people miss is, WE ARE THE MILITIA!!! There was no standing Federal Army until the 1800s

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May 29th, 2009, 08:25 PM	#2
rmilchman Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: NJ Posts: 393	About a month ago I purchased "The ABC's of Reloading". It was a good read, my problem is that I can not get small pistol primers for reloading,

May 30th, 2009, 12:02 AM	#4
gumaro Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Alvin, TX Posts: 175	The book mentioned above is a good place to start. What kind of blank cartridges are you trying to make? I thought most of the Civil War firearms were cap and ball revolvers, muzzle loaders, and a few rim fire rifles. I read that for cap and ball revolvers you load same amount or 2/3 of powder normally used depending on caliber, no ball, wad, and cap, but I have never tried it. I remember there was a article in a issue of Shotgun News about making blanks, but I no longer have it, it talked about the die needed to make various blanks (star crimped the case) and powder used to make various rounds with the same die.

May 30th, 2009, 10:11 AM	#6
boscobeans Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: upstate new york Posts: 714	Major problems with your idea. 1. There are warnings about using any modern powder measuring systems with black powder. It doesn't flow the same way modern smokeless powders do. I would not want to have a hopper full of black powder explode in my face. Smokeless powder burns (could still be a major problem) but black powder will explode. 2. The paper you use (usually soaked in potassium nitrate) is also extremely sensitive to the slightest spark. I would stick to the old fashioned methods of measuring and loading the paper cartridges (blanks). bosco

May 30th, 2009, 06:17 PM	#7
torrejon224 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Oregon Posts: 674	Go to your local library. Mine has nine books on reloading and most are on the shelf most of the time. The ABC is a good basic book and there are several others. Most of the large manuals that outfits like Speer, Lee and the powder companies are available as PDF versions on line so before you spend $30 or more for a manual do a google search. For instance Hodgon, IMR and Winchester have a fully searchable data base on line for different calibers, powders, etc! I have an old laptop in the shed where I do my reloading and it has just been a great resource.