Hello all-

I have been loading cartridges for vintage rifles exclusively with black powder or, more recently, with careful duplex loadings to reduce fouling. I like shooting black, and don't mind the required careful cleaning of bores and cartridge cases. I have also been influenced by my old friend Mike Venturino, who saw hazards in loading the old guns with smokeless. 

But now, I have a couple cartriges chamberd in Maynard barrels, that I feel will be better served with low pressure smokeless loads. I know smokeless loads seem to be preferred here, so I'm seeking education. 

Please tell me how to safely choose a propellant, and how to ensure I don't over stress my much loved old iron. I've been loading and casting since the 1970s, so I do have experience, but I'm sure there are pitfalls to be avoided in this specific pursuit. 

Thanks in advance for your guidance! 

I worked in a field that stresses designing safe practices into things systemically, so as to avoid user error.  So, my loading practices are designed around that principle.

The first rule I use is never use double base powders.  This is for two reasons.  One, is they are more energy dense.  We don't need that for big old blackpowder cartridges, and the small amount of powder in a case can make double charges or overloads harder to spot.  Two, they have steep pressure curves when they reach certain pressures.  So, they aren't forgiving of overloads.  Third, there is some evidence that they may cause detonations or chamber ringing, if certain procedures are not followed.

The second rule is I try to fill the case more than 1/2 full.  This really helps guard against double loads, or even substantial overloads.

The argument for faster, more dense powders is twofold usually.  First and foremost, they're cheaper because small amounts of powder can be used.  Second, they may burn cleaner or ignite better.   

My own choice has been to just buy more powder, in the interest of safety instead of using small higher pressure powder loads.  And, to just look for suitable powders that burn well, instead of going to the small fast burning charges.   

My powder of choice for many cartridges has been IMR 4198.  It ignites well, isn't position sensitive, burns pretty clean and fills the case substantially.   

I started out using Unique and Herco and Trap 100, but moved away from those fast burning powders for the safety reasons noted above.

If you pick up a copy of Lyman's Cast Bullet Handbook 4th ed. you will find great info about smokeless powders. I use the recommended starting loads in my old rolling blocks, hepburns and sharps. IMR 4198 and 5744 work great.

Gentleman-

Thanks for all the really great information! 

I have a lot of propellant on hand, but only one pound of 4198. It's a bit dated, shall we say. Doesn't have a strong odor, probably fine, but I think I will see if I can dig up a fresh sample! 

Thank you all very much! 

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I'd use the 4198 you have.  I'm shooting powder of that era now, it works fine.

You know, on the other hand, you can continue to shoot duplex loads and not worry.

Here in the N/W, we had regular BP matches and used duplex loads. I always used 15% smokeless (ASSRA Duplex Rules) and did extremely well. Clean up was only a little different. I used both sides of a soluble oil and water (30/1) patch, then a dry patch, followed by both sides of a lubed patch. Never any problem. 

I always used 4759 as a primer and 1 1/2 Rem primers.

Statesrights wrote on Aug 11^th, 2025 at 6:59am:


Haven't had an issue as long as you're not picky which 4198 you want. I used H4198 forever, and when I ran out I called Hodgdon and was told they hadn't had H4198 in over two years, and recommended going to IMR. I bought IMR in an 8 lb. jug, and within 2 months H4198 was on the market, and IMR couldn't be found. Go figure.
Last I heard IMR was back again, but haven't checked my sources since I don't need any. Powder Valley shows IMR4198 in stock, but they also just had a warehouse fire, so probably have to call and see what's what now.

My wife shoots 28-30 with 11gr IMR4227,  132gr Barnett breach seated, very, very accurate.
Mike