Powders

Before we get started with smokeless powders, I think this would be the time for an explanation. When the reader gets to the early smokeless powders, we need to understand some words that are used.

• Black Powder is loaded by both weight and volume, pending the loaders desires. If the loader wants 40gr for the 44-40, it can be loaded by weight and compressed for the bullet to be seated. In the field, it can be loaded by volume with a scoop or spout and does not have to be compressed...either way, the powder takes up the full volume of space below the base of the bullet.

• "Bulk for Bulk" Powders fill the exact same "volume" as black powder without compressing the powder, but weighs less...loaded by VOLUME, regardless of weight. Dupont's Shotgun, No.1 and No. 2 powders would be "bulk for bulk" powders.

• "Bulky" Powder was dense powders like Laflin & Rand's "Sharpshooter" and maybe "Lightning" that typically did not fill the same volume, typically of the perforated disc type...but may fill the same volume as black powder...and gave the same performance as black powder. These powders were loaded by weight NOT VOLUME, just as we do now days with modern rifle powders. These dense powders are much like we have today. A slower burning the rifle powder, the more it may be too slow for the 44-40...but yet fills the case completely. Modern powder is not "Bulky" nor "bulk for bulk", no matter how much volume it occupies. The exception would be Trail Boss. However, Trail Boss is a dense FAST BURNING "Bulky" PISTOL POWDER and should not be confused with slower burning rifle powders, bulky or not, and should always be loaded by weight...not exceeding 6.4gr by the manufactures recommended max load for the 44-40!!!

• Dense Powder but yet "Non-Bulky" powders would be the faster burning pistol powders like Bullseye and Unique.

Here is a little information on Laflin & Rand powders

And here is a bit more on Smokeless Powder Classifications

excerpt

The Laflin & Rand Smokeless Canister Powders: All L&R smokeless powders were “dense” powders as opposed to “bulk” [bulk for bulk] powders. All their powders except Marksman were also “double-base”, using both NC and NG. Smokeless powders were 2 to 3 times the price of black powders per pound, but only about one third as much was needed. L&R also entered the smokeless market relatively late owing to safety and quality concerns. In some cases, there were several versions or types of the same powder. Canister powders are those blended for lot-to-lot consistency specifically for reloaders. These are the “best”, most consistent grades of any type that can be made.