How to Load Pyrodex in Cartridges
Pyrodex is a black powder substitute manufactured by Hodgdon. The material has similar characteristics to black powder in the amount of energy and cloud of smoke produced by the explosion. It produces less corrosive residue, making guns firing Pyrodex easier to clean and maintain. Pyrodex commonly is used in muzzleloaders but can be used in black powder cartridges used in weapons from the latter part of the 19th century and their replicas.
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Instructions
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1
Prepare the cartridge in the same manner as used for black powder or even smokeless powder. Clean the cartridges by washing or tumbling them in a cleaning medium such as corn cob or walnut husks. Remove the cap from the cartridge and resize in the appropriately sized die. Place a new cap in the cap pocket and seat.
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2
Measure out the appropriate amount of Pyrodex for the cartridge. Many of the old cartridges included the amount of black powder used in the ammunition right in the title. A 45-70 cartridge. For example, was a .45 caliber with 70 grains of black powder. Research the proper powder load for other cartridges.
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3
Fill any open space between the powder in the cartridge and the intended bullet position with wads. Cut card stock to the interior size of the cartridge or use manufactured wads to fill this "head space."
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4
Seat the bullet on top of the Pyrodex load in the cartridge. The base of the bullet should press into the powder or wadding about 1/8 inch. Crimp down the neck of the cartridge to hold the bullet in place.
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Tips & Warnings
Remove the cap or primer from the cartridge as soon as practical and soak the spent cartridge in a mixture of half water and half vinegar after firing. This counteracts any corrosive residue left within the shell casing by the Pyrodex.
