Good Clean Fun With Duplex Loads in .45-70

[Robear]

I've been experimenting with duplex .45-70 loads in my Remington Rolling Block. These loads use a small amount of Accurate 5744 behind a case full of black powder, a spacer, then a 400 grain cast bullet seated to compress the charge. I found pressure tested load data in the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook and in Larry Gibson's 2013 posts on castboolits.com. The smokeless booster causes more complete combustion of the black powder. No blow tube is needed, the barrel stays unclogged and accuracy doesn't degrade after firing many rounds. I'm getting all the smoke and fun of shooting black powder without the smelly mess of cleaning my rifle and brass.

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[Spitpatch]

I've been experimenting with duplex .45-70 loads in my Remington Rolling Block. These loads use a small amount of Accurate 5744 behind a case full of black powder, a spacer, then a 400 grain cast bullet seated to compress the charge. I found pressure tested load data in the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook and in Larry Gibson's 2013 posts on castboolits.com. The smokeless booster causes more complete combustion of the black powder. No blow tube is needed, the barrel stays unclogged and accuracy doesn't degrade after firing many rounds. I'm getting all the smoke and fun of shooting black powder without the smelly mess of cleaning my rifle and brass.

All of this lists the benefits of duplex loading as I discovered.

However, the need for thorough cleaning of gun and brass is NOT diminished at all. The salts of Black Powder are still there. Vinegar Windex or Formula 409 are your friends.

 

[monks]

I've never messed with duplex loads, but the idea interests me. I dug my old Sharps out recently and shot it for the first time in twenty years. I did note that the open sights don't work as well as they used to, even at fifty yards, so I ordered a hadley eye cup that should be here today!

 

[Robear]

All of this lists the benefits of duplex loading as I discovered.

However, the need for thorough cleaning of gun and brass is NOT diminished at all. The salts of Black Powder are still there. Vinegar Windex or Formula 409 are your friends.

Yes, I use Simple Green followed by Ed's Red.