Re-Enactor powder for shotshells?

tommy4toes · February 19, 2015, 09:15:28 PM

I've recently begun loading the Holy Black again - in shotshells - brass and plastic. I notice the re-enactor powder from Grafs is very reasonable - any thoughts on loading shotshells with it? I load Swiss for 45-90 and 45 Colt, and its kind of pricey.

Tommy

hellgate · February 19, 2015, 09:36:42 PM

I put every kind of rotgut crap I can find that makes noise and smoke in my shotshells: old partial bottles or faded, moldy labeled Pyrodex P or RS, expired APP, Black Canyon, Fg musket powder, etc. It all makes smoke and noise. BP & Pyro at least sound like real gunpowder with a nice BOOM but no one seems to care as long as there is a pall of smoke. So, yeah, I'd use the Re-enactor if I couldn't get real BP. For what we're doing (at least in monthly matches) all you need to do is deliver some shot onto a steel knockdown target. I've seen "floofers" where the shot and wad barely cleared the barrel take down our targets so primo performance is a luxury but we don't really need it. In a pinch, I'd use Pyrodex only because it is pretty cheap, available, and you get, what is it (?), 20% or 30% more loads in a pound (loaded by volume). If the re-enactor is well priced, go for it! I've bought bulk blasting powder (5FA) equivalent to FFFg for years. It's pretty affordable in 25-50 lb sacks.
T

tommy4toes · February 19, 2015, 09:48:34 PM

OK cool - this shotshell thing is new for me so I thought I'd ask.

Sir Charles deMouton-Black · February 19, 2015, 10:40:30 PM

Here's a thread from last year, filed in "The Dark Arts" Too much info?

http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php/topic,51505.0.html

Lefty Dude · February 19, 2015, 11:14:52 PM

If C of W or Grits would explode I'd load it in Shot Gun Shells.

Dick Dastardly · February 20, 2015, 08:54:12 AM

I bought some Schuetzen Reinactor powder and love it in my 10ga and 12ga loads for SASS matches. It's ok in my 16ga's too but not as good in the 20ga and no good at all in the .410. So, if you're loading it in a 12ga, it should be good for KDs. I wouldn't use it for geese. . .

DD-MDA

tommy4toes · February 20, 2015, 08:50:53 PM

My understanding of re-enactor powder is that its the stuff left after screening the various grades - hence the less expense. But if it's ok in shotshells, that just what I need.

Tommy

longinosoap · February 20, 2015, 09:12:55 PM

Hellgate, don't mean to change from shotshell to cartridge, but...do you load cartridges with the 5Fa?

hellgate · February 20, 2015, 11:51:13 PM

Not really. I'll put anything into the .357mag pistol cartridges but for my 45-70 trapdoor I use FFg Goex. I'll put the 5FA into the shotgun and C&B revolvers too. Basically 5FA is FFFg without the graphite and is less polished. Maybe even slightly faster than FFFg but I can't tell nor did I try to tell a difference. I just went on price. It's just fine in the C&Bs.

tommy4toes · March 16, 2015, 12:17:09 AM

OK- haven't got any re-enactor powder yet, but I mixed up all the junk I've pulled from old ca'trdiges, etc. Very impressive. I went back to the local and bought ten more brass hulls - they are all old old old Peters, CBC, Winchester and assorted stuff.

My next question is: Who makes a crimping die for brass? The few hulls I bought mostly have old crimps and they work fine - but the ones w/o the crimp are a b**** to get into the chambers on my old Stevens. I'd like to find a way to round off the ends so they work a little better.
Weekend after next is the Picacho Posse shoot in Las Cruces NM - got my ol' Henry and Open Tops oiled and ready. Any ideas for a quick roll crimp on the brass?

Tommy4toes
#27949
been doing this for awhile just to have fun

Blackpowder Burn · March 16, 2015, 08:09:47 AM

RCBS makes a brass shotshell die. However, be aware that the decapping pin doesn't work well nor does the sizing ring even touch the brass - my hulls are formed to the chamber of my gun and never even touch the sizing ring. I use the shell holder from the dies to prime the brass and to put a roll crimp on the mouth.

Have you tried ordering BP from Powder Inc (www.powderinc.com)? Their prices are slightly lower than Grafs (for a case lot) and include all shipping and HazMat fees. I order a case about once a year.

Sir Charles deMouton-Black · March 16, 2015, 10:14:02 AM

Quote from: Blackpowder Burn on March 16, 2015, 08:09:47 AM
RCBS makes a brass shotshell die. However, be aware that the decapping pin doesn't work well nor does the sizing ring even touch the brass - my hulls are formed to the chamber of my gun and never even touch the sizing ring. I use the shell holder from the dies to prime the brass and to put a roll crimp on the mouth.

Have you tried ordering BP from Powder Inc (www.powderinc.com)? Their prices are slightly lower than Grafs (for a case lot) and include all shipping and HazMat fees. I order a case about once a year.

Same problem with me. Most of my shotties are European and the chambers seem tighter. The shell holder comes in handy for repriming with a "ram-prime" kit

tommy4toes · March 24, 2015, 11:38:45 PM

I guess I'll have to see what works....like everything else.....my SxS is a 1926 Stevens 325. My next try is the brass shotshells in my 1897.

Bibbyman · March 25, 2015, 04:29:51 AM

Maybe you'd be amused to see what I collected up to load 10 gauge hulls.

I keep looking for an antique priming tool but not run across one so I just made one out of wood. It's maybe not clear in the video but I used a screw in the top part to provide a short post to push in the primer. I have 7 Winchester brass cases that take pistol primers. The priming tool works well on both pistol and 209.