hello Ron, Please forgive an enquiry of this nature, I am a handloader for my No 1 Mk 111* and No 4 Mk1 .303s and have been for 23 years. I prefer Mulwex powders and use AR 2209 for rifle and case longevity, with compensating sight adjustments. Works well out to 300 metres, which is the limit of our SSAA range. I also load blackpowder in my Martini Enfield .303 as that is what is correct for the years 1892-1894 BC (before cordite). My problem is that I can only fit 55 grains of Swiss 3Fg into the case with severe compression of the load. This severe compression has proven to detract from accuracy. I can fit 53 grains of WANO 3P with moderate compression to produce good accuracy out to 100 metres. I have read that the original blackpowder loading was about 70 grains. How on earth did they fit this much blackpowder into a .303 case? That is my question. regards I p.s. I also load black powder in my original MH 577/450 with a paper patched 505 grain projectile. It is almost a religious experience to fire it.
Rating: +2
Dear Ian
Many different compositions of Black powder made with endless different formulas. But if you want to get more of one into a case use a drop tube. I have used a primer storage tube about two foot long. this compresses the powder in the case. Black powder in a good gun will only throw out of the muzzle what it does not burn in the nano seconds of burn time. Some of the reading of what they used to fit in may have been ambitious or not correct. Err on less rather then more check to see if what your using now is all being burnt. Put newspaper under muzzle when testing from the bench and have a look what is being thrown out. before you use more.
ron