.45 load question

[I Ben Robbed]

Howdy.

I finished getting all my equipment today, will be mounting the press and setting everything up tomorrow when i get home from work. 

It'll be another month yet before I can get my hands on a can of Goex.  So right now all I have is Pyrodex P.  Previously, loadin with someone else's equipment, the .45 LC cases were just filled with Goex 3F and topped with a 250 grain bullet.  If I have to use Pyrodex, can I still fill the case or do I need to use less of it? 

Also, my supplier has informed me that when I pick up my Goex he may only have 2F.  Which should be fine for .45s, but do I need to adjust the load?  If it handled a full cartridge of 3F, it should handle a full cartride of 2F shouldnt it?  Do I need to switch primers if I use the 2F powder?

Thanks for any replies!

[Jax Orebetter]

You can use the FF or the FFF in 45 Colt. With the 250gr bullet you'll loose about 50fps going from FFF to FF. I use the same primers for both. It'll also work just fine in your shotgun.

[I Ben Robbed]

Thanks for the info on the fps loss.  I dont think it will be a problem, but I'll try some test rounds and if I lose too much I can switch to 230 grain bullets. 

Anyone care to take a swing on the Pyrodex question? 

[Singing Bear]

I guess I should get out to more of our matches.    You could'a asked, but I guess I ain't there enough.     With the Pyrodex, load them up just as you would Goex although I don't fill my cases to the brim.  I allow for at least 1/8" compression for whatever weight bullet I use in whatever caliber I load.  This reduces the risks of bulged cases or deformed bullets from trying to cram a bullet in an already full case.   Some will say it don't happen, but this is MY experience.  I've had both. 

No need to change primers for any grade of any brand BP or sub, except for 777,  although some prefer using mag primers for BP loads.  I use only standard primers.  I just don't see the need to have all these different primers and such taking up my precious storage space. 

I'll try to get out there in November.  Make a list of questions. 


   

[I Ben Robbed]

Thanks Singing Bear!  Clell has been doing most of my loading for me, but I finally got everything I need and want to get going loading my own.  I just dont have the BP, wont have any until the next match when I can get some from Kid Limerick (he sold me the press I'm using too).    I figure I have all this Pyrodex sittin here, I might as well put it to use!

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Good attitude, I. Ben!  No sense it just settin' there takin' up space!

A lot of folks find that Pyrodex is a bit harder to ignite and so they use Mag primers.  I'm kinda like Singing Bear;  any type of BP I've tried (and I HAVEN'T tried 777, 'cause of the price) goes BANG with whatever primer I use.