Black powder cartridges

L

Love_My_Nagant

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So, I've been looking around the useless internet for info regarding black powder revolvers. As I understand it, before they went to smokeless powder, there were fully contained cartridges loaded with black powder, just like our modern ammo but without smokeless powder. So, that would mean instead of all the trouble of reloading the older black powder revolvers, one would just be able to insert the fresh rounds when needed, just like with a modern revolver, right? Which leads into my next question, is it possible to purchase these somewhere?
 
You just have to reload enough to make it pay off, if youre reloading metallic cartidges.

If you're wanting to make paper cartidges for muzzle loaders, it's quite simple. Use "rolling papers" (such as Zig Zag...ask a kid, they'll know) and use a mandrel just slightly smaller than bore diameter. Roll the paper around it with the adhesive facing in, and with the adhesive coming last as you roll it on. Lick the adhesive, twist one end, and slide the paper tube off of the mandrel.

Drop your black powder load in, and twist the other end. In my case, I had a 40 grain Pyrodex charge, which cut the reloading time of my single-shot quite a bit. Never had any ignition problems due to the paper.
 
The 22 Rimfire, 45 (Long) Colt, 38 Special all started out as blackpowder cartridges just to name a few.
I would check with Cowboy Action Shooters, sites decicated to that, IIRC they used to have a category called Black Powder though that may have deal with cap and ball guns.
 
you can't reload rimfires, but you can reload centerfire.
If you reload you can use modern components, substituting blackpowder for smokeless.
I have reloaded many .44mag in blackpowder. They are a hoot to shoot, but cleanup will be just like any other blackpowder firearm.
If you do decide to reload with blackpowder, two things,
1) use lead bullets.
2) you will have to measure your powder by VOLUME. Blackpowder needs compression. You'll have to adjust powder with bullet depth to get the correct compression.
 
I just started getting into reloading 45 Colt cartridges with Goex blackpowder. Right now it is costing me $0.24 per cartridge.

Brass $0.009 or $89/500 Calculated as reusing the brass 20 times.
Primer $0.043 or $4.27/100
Powder $0.063 per 35 grains or $12.60/lb
Walter Wad $0.019 or $19/1000
Bullet $0.106 or $53/500 for 250 grain RNFP

A lot of people will tell you it is costing them around $0.14 or less per cartridge. That is because they are casting their own bullets. They are punching their own wads/cards or not using them at all. And, they are buying primers in bulk at $30/1000 or $0.03 each. A box of 50 cartridges of factory GOEX blackpowder cartridges is going to cost you $35 plus shipping and hazard fees if bought over the internet. My cost is $12 for that same box and I get to load them the way I want them loaded. While others have the cost down to about $6 or $7 for that same 50 rounds. Even with my conservative number you are still about 1/3 the cost of buying factory ammo IF YOU CAN EVEN FIND IT.
 
Love_My_Nagant;
So, that would mean instead of all the trouble of reloading the older black powder revolvers, one would just be able to insert the fresh rounds when needed, just like with a modern revolver, right?
Click to expand...
Are you referring to ["the older B/P revolvers"] cap & ball revolvers, or maybe a cartridge conversion?
Or are you referring to say, an old colt frontier or single action army(peacemaker) or modern day replicas of these guns?
I just do not understand your question.
 
Gbro, that is a good point to clarify so I'll try to clarify for him.

Most black powder cap-n-ball revolvers can be converted to shoot cartridge ammunition. In fact this is what was done with a very large number of cap-n-ball revolvers in the 1870's and beyond. This is true today with cap-n-ball replica firearms. Basically, you need to buy a "conversion cylinder" like those made by Kirst Konversions or Howell Old West Conversions (aka R&D Gun Shop). Sometimes the cylinder must be fitted slightly to get it to slide right in whereas a lot of times the cylinder just pops right into place. So, you will have the original cylinder whenever you feel like shooting cap-n-ball style and the conversion cylinder whenever you feel like shooting cartridge ammo. You can go back-n-forth if that is what your heart desires (in the same shooting session).

Below are photos of my Ruger Old Army cap-n-ball revolver. I purchased an R&D conversion cylinder that allows it to handle 45 Colt cartridge ammo. You can shoot 45 Colt with either black powder as was originally done or "cowboy loaded" smokeless powder cartridges.

Photo191.jpg

Original configuration of a ROA with factory cap-n-ball cylinder.

Photo189.jpg

The ROA with R&D conversion cylinder installed. No fitting required and takes 30 seconds to switch out.

Photo192.jpg

A closer look of the R&D conversion cylinder. Dummy snap caps in the background.

Photo195.jpg

Both the Kirst and R&D conversion cylinders for the ROA are two pieces. The cylinder is loaded with the ammo. Then the back plate that contains the firing pins is positioned on the back of the cylinder before installing the cylinder.

Ruger006.jpg

This picture shows the factory cylinder pin with loading arm replaced with a Belt Mountain base pin. The Belt Mountain pin just gives it a cleaner look as the loading plunger and arm are not needed for shooting cartridge ammo.
 
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Quote: Love My Nagant
So, I've been looking around the useless internet for info regarding black powder revolvers. As I understand it, before they went to smokeless powder, there were fully contained cartridges loaded with black powder, just like our modern ammo but without smokeless powder. So, that would mean instead of all the trouble of reloading the older black powder revolvers, one would just be able to insert the fresh rounds when needed, just like with a modern revolver, right? Which leads into my next question, is it possible to purchase these somewhere?
Click to expand...

LMN - if your question is looking for a source for BP loaded cartridges, Buffalo Arms is the source. This from their web site:
Goex Black Powder Ammo

Goex is no longer making ammunition. Therefor, as we sell out our Goex Ammo, Buffalo Arms Company will be taking over making these calibers. These will be loaded using Swiss Black Powder. Please check the Black Powder Cowboy Ammo category.
Click to expand...
(Emphasis added)

If your question is where to find BP cartridge revolvers; any currently made cartridge firing revolver can be used to shoot BP cartridges. Some better than others due to fouling issues.

FM
 
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