As we roll over the new year, and the neighbors start popping off what I hope are limited to illegal firewaorks, and not the bullets that have landed on my roof more than once, I keep seeing a repeat of the same news related to a “gunpowder shortage” that is supposed to drive ammunition prices through the roof, and create ANOTHER ammo drought in 2024.

I thought I would remind my readers that pump shotguns, lever action rifles, and revolvers can run very nicely on black powder and black powder substitutes that cannot drive semi-automatic arms. Yes, these powders are dirty. Yes, they require more diligent cleaning than smokeless, but I can make the effort to clean my guns if it means being able to practice, hunt, and protect my family.

If you look at ballistic tables, the percussion revolvers of the Civil War and early frontier period do not look impressive, but Colt’s .36 Navy was the equivalent of a .380 ACP, and settled a lot of disputes. Colt’s .44 Army was a bit over a .38 Special in energy, but it punched a .45 caliber hole in the target.

Switching to Old West cartridges, Colt’s Model P Single Action Army revolver originally fired a 255 grain bullet around 800 fps using a 40 grain charge of black powder. The .44-40 was in the same ballistic neighborhood. These are nothing to sneeze at.

A Taurus Judge will hande a .45 Colt round loaded with black powder just fine, as will a S&W Model 25, or Ruger’s Blackhawk revolver chambered in that caliber. A .357 Magnum catridge case full of black poweder would still be nasty business when topped with a lead semi-wadcutter or full wadcutter bullet. Like the .45 Colt, the .44 Special started out as a black powder cartridge. Elmer Keith wrote about .45 Colt bullets fully penetrating a horse’s chest cavity from the side. It would be interesting to see what a .44 Magnum case full of black powder would yield.

Guns and Supplies

Learning Resources:

Loading Tools (these tools allow you to load cartridges on the kitchen table.)

Stay frosty, and keep your powder dry!