10 Gauge Supplies TOW

[Bill Murphy]

Why only black powder in brass cases?

[Keith Doty]

No clue other than I've been told you shouldn't. I have found absolutely no data for smokeless in brass. As I said I have proceeded VERY carefully. I'm quite familiar with pressure signs in center fire rifle and pistol ammo and have watched carefully for any indication there might be the slightest issue.
In this case, I believe Bruce is referring to the fact that black powder is done by volume not weight. The same volume of smokeless as black would certainly be a serious issue. My suspicion is some of the old burst barrel horror stories involved charging a gun with the same volume of smokeless as one would use with black powder.
Thank you, Bruce, for the loading info. Is there a "best" among the black powder grades you mention for this load? Don't the different grades burn differently?

[Bruce P Bruner]

"Is there a "best" among the black powder grades you mention for this load? Don't the different grades burn differently?"
I'm using what I have on the shelf. Fg is probably better suited for 10 gauge, while FFg would be better for 12 gauge. The "Fg, FFg" designation refers to the size of the powder granulations, "Fg" has larger grains than "FFg". Pistols would use FFFg and for flash pan use in flintlocks, FFFFg is what is used. The smaller the granulations the faster it burns.
The "square" load for my 10 gauge is a common load for 12 gauge. I have no need to push the envelope considering the shotgun is 142 years old and I want to avoid destroying the stock or even testing it's limitations. I respect my Parkers and when they go to the next caregiver they won't have been abused by me.

[Keith Doty]

Thanks for the tutoring on Black Powder 101, much appreciated. I'm with you on not beating up fine old guns as well as pounding on old shotgunners! Two or three snow goose hunts a year I feed an Ithaca Mag-10 or a Winchester Super-X a diet of rhino rollers but I stick with fairly light shot loads and aim for 1200 FPS with my SxS guns. I don't need anything more and sure don't need to damage a stock!

[Milton C Starr]

Originally Posted by Bill Murphy

Why only black powder in brass cases?

The pistol primers most these brass cases use wont reliably ignite smokeless powder in the roomy shotgun cases. You need brass cases that take a 209 primer if you want to use smokeless. Like the RMC and RCC brass shotshells, ideally brass shotshells should generate lower pressures than any plastic shotshell since they have more internal volume and no basewad.