RELOADING Smith Carbine Cartridges

[@williamallen4236]

I've been shooting a Smith for over 25 years now in the N-SSA. I use a regular paper punch to make small dots of newspaper that i put in the bottom of the case. I use 25 grains of 2F and some Cream -Of -Wheat filler. The bullet I use is a .515 bullet from a Lyman mold and use len's lube on the bullet. I csan shoot a 2-3" group at 100 yards with mine (repro). As for the bullets- try Track of the Wolf. They have just about everything!

[@ghostgunner4494]

Vegetable oil? So you are shooting soy bullets? Chemical warfare go brrrrrr.

[@dks13827]

This gun was used by Dr Henry Wheeler, age 22, of Northfield, MN to kill Clell Miller and to wound ( horribly ) Bob Younger in the elbow. The famous raid on the bank in 1876.

[@bunkstagner298]

OK I am motivated to drag out my Smith and burn some real Gun Powder. I load using a little different method by just putting a piece of scotch "magic" tape over the back of the shell, then put in the powder and ball. The cap flane cuts right through the tape. I will see what happens at 50 yards using a round ball and 30 grains of real Gun (Black) Powder. Good work friend

[@jonenglish98]

I think the smith is a cool little rifle. what kind of velocity are you getting with 40 grains?

[@drcoolit]

why don't these plastic cases melt when the gun is fired? or maybe my question should be -- DO they melt? If they don't melt, how many firings can you get from one case?

[@Las-Vegas-Muskets]

Your cases are leaking powder out of the flash hole because you have not inserted the brass bushings that are supposed to used with plastic cases. North East Trading Company in Muncy, PA have them.

[@Matzah1982]

40 grains is the ideal load. Plus with you using pyrodex you're getting probably about an extra 200 feet per second velocity than genuine black would give you so with that hefty 360 grain bullet you're getting about a thousand to 1200 feet per second velocity. With genuine black you might be getting about 800 to a thousand feet per second velocity. I prefer genuine black myself and I prefer the smith carbine to the sharps breech loading percussion guns

[@randymagnum143]

Triple 7 will yeild increased velocity. Pyrodex has always lowered velocity compared to black powder for me. But there are draconian laws on shipment and storage of black powder.

[@Matzah1982]

I've heard triple 7 is the best substitute propellent. I know for genuine black the Swiss powder tends to be better and yield a higher velocity and foot pounds of energy than the American goex does. It is true unfortunately how the ATF has some really insane rules about selling black powder. Like you need a permit to sell it and the place you store it must be at least 75 feet from any other building and it must be stored in a bomb proof vault. Hence alot of gun stores don't sell it so it can be hard to get

[@GruntE703]

I am buying this rifle as we speak and are interested in loading some cartridges for test firing can you recommend a premade bullet and from who? Have bought some of the plastic casings already, also you were using Pyrodex and I have never used it what do you recommend for this rifle?

[@duigiud]

Hello, I just purchased a Pietta Smith off of Gun Broker. Haven’t got it yet but I’m getting all my supplies together. What type percussion caps should I get?

[@popojoeexplode]

William Maxey it takes standard musket caps

[@davidshaw809]

Use sticky dots on the base of the tube, it is easier. Try 27 grs. of black powder.

[@D5quared91]

Do those cases hold a full charge? Is the bottom of the case extra thick to reduce the charge?

[@popojoeexplode]

I think originals held 50g of powder, it holds 30-35g comfy but its anaemic, but im able to cram 40g into these cases

[@11tomdog]

Can you shoot a .520 round ball in the cartridge? How much powder? Do you need any kind of filler on top of the powder?

[@popojoeexplode]

+David Hanson u can use a .52cal projectile, and prob 35g of powder. no filler is needed because you want as munch oomf to move that hunk of lead.

[@11tomdog]

+popojoeexplode Thanks! I read on another blog that a guy shoots .520 round balls when bullets are not available.

[@SonJWri]

Is an over powder wad not needed?

[@popojoeexplode]

Sonny Wright nope