NO Smokeless Powder in BP Handguns

[boker]

I just posted a warning in Aldeer.com Concearning a similar issue with BP rifles . You would think it’s common knowledge to stay away from smokeless powder but evidently it’s not so we should spread the word. I know guy in Tn that lost most of his arm because he didn’t know he couldn’t use smokeless powder in this rifle. Very sad, someone should get in touch with the gentleman on YouTube and warn him of the danger. I have a 1858 m. I never exceed 30grs of 3f black powder.

 

[Leatherbark]

Another thing that bugged me is the way he would exaggerate the recoil with each shot by raising his arm up.

 

[ol vern]

To quote Ron White, you can't fix supid.

 

[BeoBill]

"Don't push the big red button..."

 

[sgeisz]

So this "bright fellow" :youcrazy: posted this video on YouTube about shooting his 1858 Remington repro from Pietta using Hodgdon Clays smokeless powder.

Note: He thinks .44 special data shooting a .429 165gr conical bullet is "close" to his shooting a .451 138gr round ball, and he eyeballs the amount of powder using 2/3 of a half-teaspoon measure! :shake:

He survives and does not blow off his fingers, because he got lucky and chose a very low pressure powder favored by Cowboy Action Shooters, and by using a .451 round ball, the bullet has a lot less friction against the chamber walls in the cylinder, so he unwittingly constructed an obviously (since he doesn't blow up) low pressure load.

However, if he or some other person who happened to see the video and want to try this, accidentally loads a mere 1 grain more, they are maxed out on powder, AND if the loader gets distracted and dumps two loads (assuming he's really using 3.6 grains of Clays), that would be 7.2 gains of Clays and would FAR exceed recommended loads in the Hodgdon manual for a modern handgun, let alone the Pietta copy of the 1858 Remington.., so a good chance at BOOOOOOM!

Smokeless Powder in 1858 Remington

LD

Trail Boss is NOT a low pressure powder. It is a bulky powder that fills a case preventing double charging.