Just Loaded My First Black Powder Cartridges

[DHall_37]

just loaded up some 10.4x42 aka 41 Swiss. I would like to have some of y’all check my work to make sure I did it right.

so I measured 52 gr. (Vol) of GOEX 2F, poured that into the case, placed a wad on top. Seated a 315 gr lead bullet to 2.2 in OAL, Then crimped. I’m going to add some BP lube on the exposed bullet to help with fouling. The rear of the bullet has this red lube which I assume is an oil based kind that works better with smokeless rounds.

when I seated the bullet I could hear the powder crunch, a sign I compressed it. I’d assume .20 in of compression. Lyman BP book says that 100% load density is best this round was more like 90%, I didn’t wanna spill powder everywhere!

52 gr seems like a good start, military stuff had a similar weight bullet, but like 57 gr, their bullet was also longer and the case was shorter, the original 38mm length case. I’d say that was a heavily compressed load

Any advice and criticism is welcome!

Also according to my calculations this bullet should be moving at 1300 FPS.

 

[RegionRat]

Tap them as if trying to settle the powder, then shake them to see if you can hear the powder.

Best if you don't hear the powder since you mention you think you have some compression but you are also short about 2 grains and have those other differences too.

If you don't hear the powder shaking around inside it makes sense, if it sounds like it has slack I would fill that gap with a filler or wad disc.

I would also ask on the CastBoolits forum where there are many experts in BP and cast loads. Good Luck and in for the range report!

 

[mikeinct]

Good Looking. Good Shooting. Good Luck. MikeinCt

 

[NZ_Fclass]

just loaded up some 10.4x42 aka 41 Swiss. I would like to have some of y’all check my work to make sure I did it right.

Is this an old post from 1875?


Sorry couldn't resist. Have fun.

 

[DHall_37]

Tap them as if trying to settle the powder, then shake them to see if you can hear the powder.

Best if you don't hear the powder since you mention you think you have some compression but you are also short about 2 grains and have those other differences too.

If you don't hear the powder shaking around inside it makes sense, if it sounds like it has slack I would fill that gap with a filler or wad disc.

I would also ask on the CastBoolits forum where there are many experts in BP and cast loads. Good Luck and in for the range report!

Shook em and heard 0 powder rattle around. I also used a wad for these rounds to have a more uniform compression.