Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971

I just shot the NM State WB match using Sport Pistol. It was much cleaner burning than my W231 loads. However, many of the top shooters chose WST. I've used American Select in 45 ACP before. It burned clean but did not meter as reliably as finer-grained powders so I quit using it for that cartridge.

Some black powder substitutes have been introduced in the last 25-years. Do not load them exactly as you might real black powder but instead follow the manufacturer's instructions. +10 for those who recommend online reloading data. BTW, coated bullets are now available and are favored by many. Bullets by Scarlett is located in your region. You should check out her products.

I shot the Revenge in Colorado on the San Juan Range back in June. While there I bought bullets out of San Juan's warehouse. There were huge stacks of bullets ready to ship. I've sure he has plenty ready to ship this month. I've never been concerned about obtaining cast bullets. Some caster somewhere can supply me. Powder and primers is another matter. Suppliers are fewer.

I would go with .44 mag since I already own several firearms in that caliber. However, if I was starting without firearms I would choose 45 Colt due to the better selection of available revolvers. I am shooting coated bullets with a minimum charge of Unique in my 44 mag rifles.

I use the LED light on my 550. I would not load without one. It helps to see powder charges. You are wise to keep the turret press.

You did fine. However, some firearms no longer in production can be hard to find. I bought my Ruger 44 mags new but had to buy my 357s used. Regarding a shotgun: are you looking for a SxS, a '97 or a lever action shotgun? That will help readers determine your need.

Ruger Vaqueros in 44 mag are available used on auction sites. I did a quick check and found a few at reasonable prices.

The make, model and barrel length of his revolvers would be useful too.

This video is recommended by many. The producer did the action job on my '92 and it is quite smooth.

Factory new replacement rear sights are available for $20. I’d buy one for that price before bothering to straighten one.

Bang and Clang just filled an order for 2,000 for me.

SD saved me some typing. Triple Seven smokes. However it is not identical to the smoke from real BP. In particular it smells different.

This is close to a load that Hodgdon once published: 1 1/8 oz shot Claybuster red 1138-12 wad about 65 grains Triple Seven (using a BP measure) primer of your choice. These pattern just like Gun Clubs. They will leave melted plastic in your shotgun barrels. You will only get a couple hundred rounds from your 2-lbs of powder. Toss your hulls after firing.

Hodgdon still says it is safe to run Triple Seven through an ordinary powder measure but advises against doing so with Pyrodex (just another reason to avoid Pyrodex). I find APP so coarse I don’t run it through a powder measure. Regarding clumping: pour the subs out in a dish and break up the clumps before pouring in the progressive powder measure. Goex doesn’t clump in my climate. Store rounds loaded with the subs in a dry box with a big desiccant pack until the day of use. That way they will go bang instead of pop/fiz.

Back then Wal*Mart employees were buying ammo that was delivered to their stores and re-selling it at gun shows. With Wal*Mart no longer selling 9 mm Luger and .223 ammo they've lost that cash cow.

The small primer shortage is just part the current ammunition and firearms shortage. The last one was 5-6 years ago. These shortages harm the shooting sports as those without a personal ammunition/components inventory leave the shooting sports and often don't return. The buckaroos we lost locally due to a .22 shortage all never returned. I hope the current primer shortage is brief so SASS retains members.

Getting an e-mail that a shooting range is reopening for matches.

A college acquaintance of mine came from a logging community near Mt. St. Helens. He and his buddies staged bigfoot sightings. They would locate a cabin where a teenager was baby sitting and stand near the edge of a forest clearing wearing a gorilla suit loudly howling. Since the baby sitter probably didn't know how to shoot they felt safe. They also had a set a stilts with big rubber feet they would walk across plowed fields leaving "bigfoot tracks." In the Southwest presumed chupacabra bodies have been examined and determined to be coyotes with bad cases of mange.

Here is a current thread on this topic. Most report none available.

The #9 shot will be useful if shooting at targets in poor repair. A #9 shot bouncing back hurts less than larger shot.

Sir, it looks like you are near Nashville. The Sportmans Warehouse in Murfreesboro will sell you 1,000 CCI small pistol primers for $24 with local pickup if you order online. These are not my favorite primers for CAS but they might keep your grandson shooting. You could at least load some practice rounds.

My experience with saving hides from hunting is not good. I had one cow elk skinned by a taxidermist and it made a lovely shirt for my wife. However, a friend gave me a hide he and his buddies had skinned and it had so many nicks it was unsuitable for quality leather work. Recently I found I could not get a hide tanned because the animal hair must be submitted to the state crime lab before disposal and tanners will not bother. Times have changed for the worse.

MC, I understand your desire to use a powder that has worked for you in the past. I use Unique in my 44 mag reloads for WB and prefer it in that cartridge. However, there are other powders that will give satisfactory results in large revolver cases and some of these are available. When reloading components are in short supply we have learned to shoot what is available. I also use American Select and it is still available. Hodgdon lists 45 Colt loads for IMR Target and its on sale at Powder Valley. Try another powder. You may discover a new favorite.

If your Marlin has a plastic magazine tube follower I would replace it with a more durable follower. Long Hunters worked on three Marlins for me. I was pleased with the work.