RotoMetals2Reloading EverythingMidSouth Shooters SupplyLee Precision
RepackboxTitan ReloadingInline FabricationLoad Data
Wideners
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 27

Thread: new to the Muzzle

  1. #1
    Boolit Mold
    Join Date
    Jul 2020
    Location
    Norcal , SOJ
    Posts
    14

    new to the Muzzle

    many questions,,and info.

    Picked up a very good condition
    Jukar .45 cal. refinished , browned..clean.
    casting soft lead round .445 Lee cast, ..wieght =.126 gns
    Hogdon Pryrodex RS ( FFG equivalent ) only powder i can find.
    using mueket caps ( swapped out nipples) only caps i can find

    Purchased a plackpowder loading measure.
    i measured 80 grns ( which was advertised to measue in grns not volume?)..
    .check on my beam scale = 52 grns .???????

    where to start> for correct loading data ...and measures??
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails IMG_20210606_125209166.jpg   IMG_20210606_125356439.jpg   IMG_20210606_130026763.jpg  
    Last edited by straight_shooter; 06-06-2021 at 04:04 PM. Reason: update

  2. #2
    Boolit Grand Master

    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Southern Illinois
    Posts
    6,134
    Pyrodex is lighter and designed to use a BP measure so 50gr in a measure by volume will equal 50 gr of real BP.
    Aim small, miss small!

  3. #3
    Boolit Mold
    Join Date
    Jul 2020
    Location
    Norcal , SOJ
    Posts
    14
    BP measure?
    ( pics added to original post) so what is this in the picture ?
    this is BP measure .but your saying that PYRODEX is lighter?
    and my scale confirms this ..
    GOT IT.. THANKS\
    Last edited by straight_shooter; 06-06-2021 at 04:21 PM.

  4. #4
    Boolit Mold
    Join Date
    Jul 2020
    Location
    Norcal , SOJ
    Posts
    14
    what about the bullet weight?
    to low?
    i also have w/w lead igots. but read that is to hard on the barrel?

  5. #5
    Boolit Grand Master
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Posts
    5,282
    Use the volumetric measure. Forget the scale. A lead round ball weighs what it weighs, you're good to go. Just starting out, also forget trying to hot rod that gun. 60 grains will be fun and save some powder. If the need presents, you can increase the load. One thing you have not mentioned is patch material. What are you going to patch the ball with? None of this is rocket science, but there are several important things to know about using a front stuffer. Please find a good, printed, manual to follow. Cleaning is a particular skill set as well. Always start the cleaning with a water based solution of some type. Windex, Simple Green, dish soap water ~ doesn't matter. Follow up with drying and then a good cleaning with your favorite solvent and end with an oil preservative.

    You are starting a fun hobby. Good luck. Welcome to the site.

  6. #6
    Boolit Mold
    Join Date
    Jul 2020
    Location
    Norcal , SOJ
    Posts
    14
    i have pile of rifle cleanning patches mic'd to .015
    Did a burn test........ they turn to ash.....

    Lubed the balls with "johnny ring wax" .lol ..cheaper ,goes along way ,,

    being a Marine Vet and an Army reserve dog a few years.
    all my weapons are OCD maintained


    after some fun. i would like to get a kit to build "Liver Eating Johnson's"
    Last edited by straight_shooter; 06-06-2021 at 05:41 PM.

  7. #7
    Boolit Grand Master pietro's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    New England
    Posts
    5,252
    .

    Lose the rifle cleaning patches for patching the RB and instead use proper/sturdier patching material - like washed/dried (to get rid of the sizing) striped pillow ticking or even old denim.

    "Spit patches" are an even cheaper lube.

    FYI:

    Pure Lead Ball Weight

    .310 = 45 grains
    .315 = 47 grains
    .321 = 50 grains
    .350 = 65 grains
    .360 = 71 grains
    .375 = 80 grains
    .395 = 92 grains
    .400 = 96 grains
    .433 = 122 grains
    .437 = 127 grains
    .440 = 128 grains
    .443 = 131 grains
    .445 = 133 grains
    .451 = 138 grains
    .454 = 141 grains
    .457 = 144 grains

    .490 = 177 grains
    .498 = 180 grains
    .520 = 212 grains
    .530 = 224 grains
    .535 = 231 grains
    .543 = 241 grains
    .550 = 251 grains
    .560 = 260 grains
    .562 = 276 grains
    .570 = 279 grains
    .575 = 286 grains
    .595 = 317 grains
    .600 = 325 grains
    .610 = 342 grains
    .648 = 410 grains
    .662 = 437 grains
    .678 = 469 grains
    .680 = 473 grains
    .690 = 495 grains
    .715 = 550 grains
    .730 = 586 grains
    .735 = 598 grains
    .760 = 661 grains
    .775 = 700 grains
    .835 = 875 grains
    .919 = 1167 grains
    1.052 = 1750 grains


    .
    Now I lay me down to sleep
    A gun beside me is what I keep
    If I awake, and you're inside
    The coroner's van is your next ride

  8. #8
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Atlanta South Metro Area
    Posts
    888
    At least in my area you can go to Walmart to the sewing area and buy the blue and white striped pillow ticking by the yard. This has been the traditional patch material forever. Run it through the washing machine to wash out the fabric sizing and run it through the dryer or just hang in on a line to dry. Cut it into 1 1/4 strips, then cut into squares. One yard of material will give you more patches than you'll ever shoot. You don't really need round patches. This is why you hear of old timers having a patch knife. They'd roll a yard of oiled patching, seat the ball in the end of the roll, then use the patch knife to cut the roll off at the edge of the barrel. Put about 20 into a snack or sandwich baggy and dribble in some olive oil or grapeseed oil, mash them around a bit and let them sit to allow the oil to penetrate them. If too dry and some more. You can probably find a small bottle of olive oil at the dollar store that will do hundreds of patches. Hope this helps, Gray Fox.

  9. #9
    Boolit Bub
    Join Date
    May 2021
    Posts
    34
    I hate Pyrodex and other substitutes..Real Black Powder for me..But I am fortunate to have a source fairly close by so no shipping..

  10. #10
    Boolit Grand Master
    Mk42gunner's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Butler, MO
    Posts
    9,020
    Pyrodex is a volume equivalent to black powder, not weight. As noted a given volume of Pyrodex will weigh less than the same volume of BP. Load Pyrodex by volume, not weight.

    It is also harder to light off than BP, your musket caps may be a blessing.

    The CVA marketed Jukar built guns were not high quality, but they can be serviceable. My first BP gun was the CVA Kentucky pistol. I shot .440 balls from it, mainly using cut at the muzzle patches.

    I also killed a lot of small game and starlings with it, so as I said, they can be serviceable. Remember to clean it after shooting and all will be fine.

    Robert

  11. #11
    Boolit Grand Master
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Posts
    5,282
    Straight shooter, No slight intended over the cleaning thing, it's just that BP & BP substitutes need water to break the salts that foul the barrel. Once that is done, go forth and clean away. Some don't hit the water first and I constantly have to show them the damage with a bore scope, later.

  12. #12
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Posts
    1,423
    Quote Originally Posted by straight_shooter View Post
    i have pile of rifle cleanning patches mic'd to .015
    Did a burn test........ they turn to ash.....

    Lubed the balls with "johnny ring wax" .lol ..cheaper ,goes along way ,,

    being a Marine Vet and an Army reserve dog a few years.
    all my weapons are OCD maintained


    after some fun. i would like to get a kit to build "Liver Eating Johnson's"
    Sounds like the wrong patch ,get some pillow ticking ,if you think you can reuse the patch your on then way /ash not so much/ED

  13. #13
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Posts
    1,423
    Forget cheap get what works Jeez/Ed

  14. #14
    Boolit Grand Master


    GregLaROCHE's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2018
    Location
    Southern France by way of Interior Bush Alaska
    Posts
    5,286
    Soft lead is preferred because it is easy to obturate to make a seal. If you are patching(some don’t), then you can use harder lead. Harder lead will not harm the bore and if you’re patching, it shouldn’t touch the bore anyway. Good luck. I’m sure you will have a lot of fun muzzle loading.

  15. #15
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    May 2017
    Posts
    3,702
    Quote Originally Posted by straight_shooter View Post
    i have pile of rifle cleanning patches mic'd to .015
    Did a burn test........ they turn to ash.....

    Lubed the balls with "johnny ring wax" .lol ..cheaper ,goes along way ,,

    being a Marine Vet and an Army reserve dog a few years.
    all my weapons are OCD maintained


    after some fun. i would like to get a kit to build "Liver Eating Johnson's"
    Get you some pillow ticking or drill for patches (100% cotton not a synthetic blend)
    And the lube goes on the patches not the ball...........................

  16. #16
    Moderator Emeritus / Trusted loob groove dealer

    waksupi's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Somers, Montana, a quaint little drinking village,with a severe hunting and fishing problem.
    Posts
    19,340
    It would be good if you could examine the bore on that rifle with a bore scope. Jukar at one time would bore and rifle the barrel from both ends. They weren't too particular if the holes aligned in the middle of the barrel.
    The solid soft lead bullet is undoubtably the best and most satisfactory expanding bullet that has ever been designed. It invariably mushrooms perfectly, and never breaks up. With the metal base that is essential for velocities of 2000 f.s. and upwards to protect the naked base, these metal-based soft lead bullets are splendid.
    John Taylor - "African Rifles and Cartridges"

    Forget everything you know about loading jacketed bullets. This is a whole new ball game!


  17. #17
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Posts
    1,423
    Quote Originally Posted by indian joe View Post
    Get you some pillow ticking or drill for patches (100% cotton not a synthetic blend)
    And the lube goes on the patches not the ball...........................
    Johnny ring wax ain"t wax and being made in china , and maybe what it is ain"t something you want to know about ! and if it is animal fat/oil or veggie/oil it works (forget the wax) it will work better than anything from Home Depot /Ed

  18. #18
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    1,583
    I’ve often read others advise starting the powder charge at caliber and working up to find the more accurate hunting charge, typically between that and twice caliber. It seems some find another accurate load below caliber that they use for plinking and small game.

    You can use alloys when patching a ball. There’s a fellow who tested brass balls successfully, though I’m not sure if it was rifled or smooth. The patch is what seals the bore with a patched ball.
    Last edited by rodwha; 06-09-2021 at 05:56 PM.

  19. #19
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Posts
    1,423
    Quote Originally Posted by rodwha View Post
    I’ve often read others advise starting the powder charge at caliber and working up to find the more accurate hunting charge, typically between that and twice caliber. It seems some find another accurate load below caliber that they use for plinking and small game.

    You can use alloys when patching a ball. There’s a fellow who tested brass balls successfully, though I’m not sure if it was rifled or smooth. The patch is what seals the bore with a patched ball.
    Sure does (HOW EVER) the reason soft lead is used is simple and straight forward ,it moves when loading .The patch is certainly going to fill grooves but it is helped by the soft lead being dispersed by the patch .If it was hard anything it is rough on patch's ,so you will not have the same option of thinner/thicker ,ya got one patch and either way from that you have patch failure along with accuracy . Anything other than lead works great in a smooth bore using a bare ball and any combo of wads/cards/leaves/grass Ed

  20. #20
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    1,583
    I know there are a lot of hunters who use alloys for balls in their rifles. For some it’s what they use range lead for and save the soft stuff for their revolvers.

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check