I would like to compile a list of the original load data for the BP cartridges.  The ones like 45-70, 38-55, 40-65 etc.  I know the caliber and bore designation thing, my question involves the use of wads, bullet weights, etc.  Any help would be greatly apreciated.

nobearsyet, doing your list via a forum or the Internet will be spotty at best.  May I suggest:
* Buy a copy of Cartridges of the World, that lists all the center fire and rim fire calibers, original bullet weights, original gun powder charges and energy ever made 
* Go to Cornell Press and buy the several reproduced pamphlets and cartridge catalogs that were produced by WRA and UMC.  Bear in mind, that WRA & UMC, by caliber made specialty rounds also, ie paper patch and long range GG loads, in addition to the original loads
* Another good source is the loading data tables on the Goex website.  NOTE, these tables were not developed by Goex for their powders.  
Back in the 70's, Hodgdon (who bought Goex in 2009) sold black powder that they bought from Nobel Industries, made in Ardeer, Scotland.  It just happened that Nobel also bought out Curtis's & Harvey (C&H) which was also made in Ardeer, Scotland.  I firmly believe that the loading data on Goex's website came from C&H to Hodgdon via Nobel when they were selling Nobel powder and have had these tables tucked away ever since then.  Why?  They are a smokeless powder vendor only after they dropped selling BP until they bought Goex
(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

So ...
Quote:

you can make a list of original loading data for every US and European center fire and rimfire caliber that shot original gunpowder, including bullet weight, powder charge, granulation, fps and energy that was every made  using the sources that I provided to you

You didn't mention black powder shot shells!  They are cartridges too.  This data can also be obtained from Cornell Press from a C&H catalog with all the dram equivalent weights by powder granulation by gauge

Have fun because it is going to be a LONG LIST!  Your 27 now.  Let us know how old you'll be when it is completed!  

nobearsyet,

Something else worth thinking about... some cartridges came in multiple flavors, so to speak. An example is the 45-90 WCF. Winchester used  the same 2.4" long 45-90 case for the 45-85 WCF and the 45-82 WCF, where the powder charge was reduced as the bullet weight increased. Sharps also had a variety of loadings based on the same 45 caliber 2.4" long case. 

You've chosen a pleasurable pursuit, and I wish you the very best. 

BP

Here is another source for the dimensions of the old rounds that is useful to provide supporting information for the powder charges
(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

Quote:
 
Quote:

You are confused ... Old is New!
Example: 45-90 (45 caliber - 90grs of powder)
300gr bullet - 90gr Fg powder - 1550 fps
The 90 is not in the caliber designation just to take up space ... it IS the powder charge for old and new

If you believe there is a newer powder charge - show me the source!

Quote:


John Boy,

     As an earlier poster stated, modern brass is often much thicker than the old stuff, so it is often necessary to reduce the charge from nominal to even get it into the case.  F'rinstance, I have to shoot a maximum of about 35-37 gr of ctg GOEX in my current W-W brass marked .32-40.  Of course, YMMV! 

froggie

My favorite old manual is Sharpe's but Mattens is a close 2nd.  Book I bought the other day in reprint edition is The American Rifle by Whelen.  He has a lot of data on the old loads, not a loading manual but extensive ballistic data on both standard and high speed loadings for the old straight side cases. This from 1915 were it was common to have both loadings available.

New manuals are often lawyered up with all sorts of cautions.  Lack of experience in some of the companies too.  Shooting buddy and I are working up Cowboy Lever Silhouette rifles.  I am trying both 45/70 which I have long experience with and 30/30 which I know little about.  At Raton 30/30 is the cartridge to shoot they say.  Pistol Caliber Lever Silhouette I am using the 32/20 and my loads came from Sharpe.

Anyway 170 FN hunting loads in the 30/30 work fine and you need velocity to knock over the ram.  Chicken Pigs and Turkeys at short range most guys are using 125 gr flat nose varmint bullets.  Question came up on how to load them light, don't need 2400 fps for a chicken 50 yards away or a Turkey at 150. Guy I know wrote Hodgen asking about 4227 and got a smart Alec response he ought to invest in a can of rifle powder.

Old manuals show a number of 4227 30/30 loads for 125 gr jacketed bullets launched at around 1600 fps which are perfect for Silhouette.  Every cartridge you shoot does not have to be a max load. Now that Hodgen owns all the powder company's what you get is what they know and in this case it was very little.

Boats

I find this post of interest.  I still use old ideal #38 manual as well as lyman 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45 manuals as well.
Quite fun to use these copys in conjunction with a good crono...
I have also some more old manuals that I cant put my hands on now, I think they may be in some old trunks from my last move 25 years ago..
Several years ago I did test some Uniq that was in a small square tin with some in plastic containers, and did find a small diff in vel on some 45 lc rounds ..