Full House Black Powder Loads

Published on July 15, 2025
Duration: 1:03

This guide details the process of handloading .45 Colt cartridges with black powder, as demonstrated by Misha. It covers case preparation, powder charging with FFFg black powder for a 'full house' load, bullet seating, and crimping. The demonstration emphasizes the characteristic smoke and sound of black powder firearms during live fire.

Quick Summary

Reloading .45 Colt black powder cartridges involves case preparation, filling the case with FFFg black powder for a 'full house' load (slight compression), seating a lubricated lead bullet, and crimping. This method allows for precise control over ammunition characteristics, producing characteristic smoke and sound during live fire.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Case Preparation & Press Setup
  2. 00:16Powder Charging (FFFg Black Powder)
  3. 00:25Bullet Seating & Crimping
  4. 00:34Loading Revolver & Range Prep
  5. 00:49Live Fire Demonstration

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you create a 'full house' black powder load for .45 Colt?

A 'full house' load involves filling the .45 Colt case to the brim with FFFg black powder and ensuring the bullet slightly compresses the powder when seated. This maximizes the powder charge for the case volume, providing peak performance characteristic of historical loads.

What tools are needed to reload .45 Colt black powder cartridges?

Essential tools include a reloading press like the Lee Breech Lock Challenger, .45 Colt dies, primers (Large Pistol), powder (Goex FFFg), bullets (e.g., LRNFP), and Winchester brass casings. Eye and ear protection are mandatory.

What are the key steps in reloading .45 Colt black powder rounds?

The process involves de-priming/re-priming brass, charging the case with FFFg black powder, seating a lubricated lead bullet to achieve slight compression, and crimping the cartridge. Finally, load into your firearm.

Why is black powder reloading different from smokeless powder?

Black powder requires careful attention to case fill and compression, as it burns differently than smokeless powder. It also produces significantly more smoke and fouling, necessitating specific cleaning procedures and lubricants.

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