Do BP 45-60 loads need to be compressed? Need a wad?

[Prairie Dawg]

Hi Folks:
Just got my new Uberti '76 in 45-60.
Picked up some Jaimeson brass & going to use a Lyman 457191 bullet.
Does the BP need compression?
Do I need a wad between bullet & powder?

Thanks in advance.
--Dawg

[kwilliams1876]

HELLO
YES....GENERALLY LEAD BULLETS PRODUCE MUCH BETTER ACCURACY SITTING ON TOP OF A WAD. COMPRESSED POWDER IS ALSO RECOMMENDED FOR CONSISTENT IGNITION-VELOCITIES.  THE WAD KEEPS THE BACK OF THE BULLET FROM GETTING HAMMERED BY THE GRAVEL LIKE KERNELS OF POWDER SLAMING IN TO IT.  THIS WHOLE PROCESS IS WHAT REALLY PRODUCES
NICE RESULTS AT THE LONGER RANGERS.   TAKING IT A STEP FURTHER, YOU COULD ALSO WEIGH YOUR CHARGES.
ONE CAVEAT THOUGH..........IS THAT IN 45 YRS I HAVE NEVER USED ANY THING BUT BLACK POWDER!

PS .....USE A GOOD BP TYPE LUBE

REGARDS
K. WILLIAMS

[larryo_1]

Hello:
I use a cardboard wad over the powder charge also.  I use my own concoction of 50/50 bees wax and water-pump grease but I guess that stuff is getting hard to find.  Places like NAPA would be a good bet.  I do use SPG lube also with good results.  In my 45-75 I shoot 76 grains of Swiss 1½ and a cardboard wad that measures about 0.045" but that is my choice.  The bullet that I use is a Hoch custom 350 grain cast at a 16:1 alloy which is what the original factory ammo used.  In my single shot 40-82 I use a compressed load also and it is underneath a paper-patch 260 grain slug.  S in all, the best for you is to play and experiment and the more that you do the more fun you have.  I have been messing around with BP shooting since 1960 and have alot of fun doing so.  IT is smelly and dirty but that is all part of the fun.