Question on powders?! Just out of curiosity….

Walker308

Private
Minuteman
Jun 9, 2023
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0
Texas
Ok, I’m new to reloading and am
starting out on the cheap. Reloading some 308 win with some Hornady 165 gr SPBT. So here’s my question, I used to own a black powder revolver and still have about half a pound of hogdon pyrodex P (fffg equivalent). Is there any use for this powder in cartridge reloading??
 
Ok, I’m new to reloading and am
starting out on the cheap. Reloading some 308 win with some Hornady 165 gr SPBT. So here’s my question, I used to own a black powder revolver and still have about half a pound of hogdon pyrodex P (fffg equivalent). Is there any use for this powder in cartridge reloading??
Absolutely NOT!

A .308 is pretty good at being able to use a lot of different Smokeless Powder's, so you shouldn't have any problem finding something that'll work well in it. Just don't try any black powders.
 
There are such things as black powder cartridges, but the .308 (or any modern rifle) isn't one of those. The above posts about leaving it alone are wise. Black powder cartridges in general are probably not a good first step into reloading.

If you want to be 'on the cheap', just make your first real purchase a good reloading manual. By the time you've read it twice, you should have at least that much saved back up again to go towards getting set up for .308.
 
If I remember correctly, those are black powder cartridges.
Yes, but no. While they were both originally designed for black powder, If you by a box of 38spl or 45 colt from your local ammo store, they will be loaded with modern smokeless powder.

As to the question, yeah you could do it, but you really shouldn’t. (And, there’s a small chance a really inexperienced reloader could blow his/her face off…)

 
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on the cheap...really. I suggest doing your homework before ever attempting to load
Well, by “on the cheap” I mean using a Lee Classic Loader instead of purchasing a press, dies and other equipment that I can’t afford at the moment. I am only reloading 308 Win for a Ruger bolt gun. The only reason for the question was JUST CURIOSITY. I’ve been researching powders, bullets and equipment for a bit and decided to go this route to start.
 
I started reloading back in the early '80s with a Lee Loader. Made some good 30-06 ammo for my grandpa's old US model of 1917. But I did use IMR4350 powder, a smokeless powder pretty much designed for the 30-06. I was on the cheap as well. But the powder was like 15 bucks a lb or so back in them days. I also bought a good manual (Lyman) and read it and learned a lot before I went and bought the components. This is the way. Asking a bunch of folks on the internet before doing research is a shortcut. Shortcuts can lead to undesirable events. You happened to ask the right bunch and there have been some good answers here.
 
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Blackpowder can and probably has been loaded in almost every cartridge that has be around any length of time.

Can it be done safety yes. Fouling increases greatly and velocity will suffer greatly if its used in cartridges like the 223 and 308. Same for function in SOME auto-loaders.

It's messy as I'm sure you're aware of all ready . Grain for grain smokeless powder is more powerful and as for everyone's knowledge

Neither powders explode ,they BURN and burn rates vary have everything too do with Shape and composition ( single, double or triple base nitro variations ) along with restrictive coatings including graphite for anti static control .

Fyi: Det cord aka Detonation or Primer cord burns approximately 7 times faster than Nitro ,as it's made from pentaerythritol tetranitrate or (PETN, pentrite). Yet seems too explode because of it's speed .

Larger tubular extruded granules burn slowest as in Magnum powders ,shotshell flake powders are the quickest .
Those of us old enough to remember R1 Norma ,was used in the fastest pistol reloads and .410 ,28 gauge loads . Long discontinued now .
 
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A combustible engine will run on near anything flammable ,DON'T waste the Shine if you've got extra I'll take it as I've been known to run on it more than a couple of times ;)