PDA

View Full Version : 45-70 Loads with HB boolits


2ndAmendmentNut
07-21-2016, 11:32 AM
Might be a silly question, but when it comes to loading hollow base boolits with black powder, do I need to put anything between the powder and boolit? Does the powder just crunch up into the base?

I have a few hollow base moulds for my 45-70s that work beautifully with smokeless but want to try loading with BP.

My experience so far with black powder cartridges is limited to pistol rounds. For pistol loads I simply use soft lead plain base boolits, lubed with an appropriate BP lube, and seated with mild compression right on top of the powder. No card, no wad, no problem, accuracy is as good or better than smokeless (at least for the first 12-18rds.) Just curious if loading for a rifle with hollow base boolits can be as simple as pistol.
Rattlesnake Charlie
07-21-2016, 02:10 PM
No. After charging the case with powder, seat the bullet. Works just like a Minnie ball in a ML.
MT Chambers
07-21-2016, 03:10 PM
The bp should be somewhat compressed and should not move up into the HB, when my BP is in the case it is like a solid.
hpbear101
07-22-2016, 09:55 PM
I use a drop tube and compression die for loading BP rifle, I do not use a wad with HB bullets. The Lee HB shoots well in my trapdoors and 86's.
rfd
07-23-2016, 06:15 AM
friends have had decent to good accuracy with the lee 405hb bullet, no wads needed or wanted, seat with slight compression, in their trap door repros. imho, for sharps, rollers, and other s/s guns, there are far and away better bullets to use than any hollow based bullet.
varsity07840
07-23-2016, 09:05 AM
friends have had decent to good accuracy with the lee 405hb bullet, no wads needed or wanted, seat with slight compression, in their trap door repros. imho, for sharps, rollers, and other s/s guns, there are far and away better bullets to use than any hollow based bullet.

The Lee 405 HB works especially well in trapdoors that have oversize groove dimensions. Out of the mould they will mic around .461.
TXGunNut
07-23-2016, 12:40 PM
Timely thread, thanks! Taking my original 1873 TD out for the first time tomorrow and I suspect a HB boolit may be in my future. Hoping the Lyman 457193 in 20-1 will fill the bore but ever since I used the HBWC in PPC I've been fascinated by HB boolits.
Which boolit are you planning on using, OP?