Mud Marine,SASS#54686 Life Posted February 24 Share Posted February 24 I'm not getting any younger I have been shooting Gunfighter as an El Rey with .45 Colt and 10 gauge 3-1/2 black powder. I have been thinking of lowering to .38 Special and 20 gauge black powder. Is anyone else doing that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abilene Slim SASS 81783 Posted February 24 Share Posted February 24 I shooot BP in .38 SP when I’m not shooting Classic Cowboy. 12 gauge shotgun though. 1 oz shot and about .38 gr by volume of Goex. I don’t remember how many cc that is because I load on a Mec. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry Sloe Posted February 24 Share Posted February 24 .38s would be a good choice. I'm thinking you may want to think about a 12 ga vs the 20. The 12 ga can be loaded light enough and the extra weight of the 12 will help absorb some of the recoil. Just my 2 cents worth. BS 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colorado Coffinmaker Posted February 24 Share Posted February 24 PLUS ONE for Barry Sloe 38s are a good move. You might also consider Cowboy 45 Special. 160Gr Bullets loaded with APP. If you can find them now, an even better choice would be 130Gr BARNSTORMER .45s although I don't presently know who is casting the Barnstormer. C45S cases loaded light are quite comparable to .38s. Also, PLUS ONE for the 12Ga, loaded light as opposed to a 20Ga. 20Ga can be brutal. The guns are too light. Of course, hand loaded, you can make 20Ga pleasant. My 12Ga Hammer Doubles with APP and a One Ounce pay load don't beat me up at all. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyrel Cody Posted February 24 Share Posted February 24 Frontier Cartridge Gunfighter here. .38’s: 18-20gr of Schuetzen FFFg under a wonder wad, dab 50/50 beeswax/crisco lube and 125gr coated bullet. 12ga: 45-50gr Grafs Reenactor, pink claybuster wad(the 3/4oz one) and 7/8oz of lead shot in Remington STS green or gold hulls. I never really figured out how to get enough BP and shot in a 20ga with a wad to make it work right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyesa Horg Posted February 24 Share Posted February 24 Spect a 12ga would have softer recoil than a 10 or 20 due it's weight. JMHO and I did sleep at Holiday inn Express once! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rye Miles #13621 Posted February 24 Share Posted February 24 I went even one step further and went smokeless.38. I was shooting .44-40 bp for about 8 years then went to smokeless then went to .38 smokeless. I’m not sorry I did.” 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rye Miles #13621 Posted February 24 Share Posted February 24 1 hour ago, Mud Marine,SASS#54686 Life said: I am not getting any younger. I have been shooting as an El Rey Gunfighter with .45 Colt and 10 gauge 3-1/2" black powder. As I approach 90, I have been considering a switch to .38 Special and 20 gauge black.powder. Is anyone doing that? I’m 76 and about 5 years ago I went from .44-40 BP to .38 smokeless! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jailhouse Jim, SASS #13104 Posted February 25 Share Posted February 25 165 GR 45 Colt with 25grs of FFG with filler is a soft shooting load. Cut the 10ga down to 2 3/4" using 1oz shot over 65-75 grs of FFG and yer all set with your current gear. 20ga kicks harder than a 12 because of the light weight. If the Mighty 10 is too heavy, use a 12 ga. 60-65grs FFG under 1oz of shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cold Lake Kid, SASS # 51474 Posted February 25 Share Posted February 25 I switched from Holy Black to smokeless when I hit 68. (I was tired when I got home but didn't like leaving my toys with Holy Black residue overnight.) I'm 80+ now and still shooting .45s but using the .45 Cowboy Specials, with Titegroup and a 200 gr. LRNFPBB in my SAAs and the .45 Colt brass with 5.0 Gr.Trail Boss and a 250 Gr LRNFPBB for my '73 I would stick with the 12 Ga. and use lighter loads; either reloads or commercial, were I you. Some of those commercial 20 GA shells hit ya like a swung baseball bat, unless they are loaded down. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rattlesnake Slim Posted February 25 Share Posted February 25 I shoot .38 spl in BP and also 20ga on occasion. 7/8 oz out of a 20 is no more recoil than a 12. The biggest difference is that 20ga hulls seem to be harder to shuck due to their lighter weight. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fallon Kid Posted February 25 Share Posted February 25 I load 3drams powder/shot in 12 gage. Kinda feels right in the hammer double. I pack the original way with nitro/cushion/overshot wads. I started selling tickets to watch me make smoke and the concussion has driven most of the rattlers and homeless away. I did shoot off my mouth a few months back about shooting ‘champeen’ and wish I had not. LOL I loaded up some 45 colt with almost 40fff topped off with a 260 gn ticket to boot hill. Tested at the range and moment round went off I heard a voice in my head ask ‘You OK Kemosabe?’ Decided this 79 year old will stick with cowboy loads (most of the time) 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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