Black Powder Cartridge Rifle Reloading Guide

This is a different kind of reloading instruction text. You will not just be advised how to do things but you will also be given the reason why it is done that way. Many frank warnings and opinions will also be seen throughout this text. Such remarks and opinions are those of the author and do not necessarily agree with those of manufacturers or other experienced shooters and reloaders.

The shooting of black powder cartridge rifles is a great challenge and one which has very few finite rules. It involves almost continual experimentation with old and new components and equipment.

For short range hunting and target practice, simple and proven reloading methods will provide suitable ammunition and accuracy. For those who want to surpass that level, specialized and developed handloads will always produce a significant improvement, just as it does with reloading for modern smokeless powder arms.

The Black Powder Cartridge Rifle Reloading Guide (rev. 9/18/03)

by Dick Trenk
(Competition Events Coordinator, Davide Pedersoli & Co.)
Copyright 2003. R. T. Trenk, Sr.

NOTE: THE PRINCIPLES, REASONS, EXPLANATIONS AND RELOADING ADVICE WILL APPLY TO ALMOST ALL BP CALIBERS BECAUSE THE BASICS WORK ACROSS THE BOARD FOR ALL CASE SIZES AND GUN TYPES. IT IS ASSUMED THE READER ALREADY HAS EXPERIENCE RELOADING MODERN SMOKELESS POWDER RIFLE AMMUNITION. IF YOU LACK THIS EXPERIENCE YOU MUST FIRST READ SUITABLE SMOKELESS POWDER RELOADING GUIDE BOOKS BEFORE STARTING TO RELOAD THE LARGE CAPACITY BLACK POWDER CASES. IF POSSIBLE, WORK WITH AN EXPERIENCED RELOADER AND ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT ANYTHING WHICH SEEMS UNCLEAR.

The .45 caliber rifle is used in most of the guide text, but the data and theory will apply equally to all other calibers.