We all know that we are shooters of the Holy Black (or some artificial analog thereof...) But what are your normal Match guns?  First of all list them, (Meaningless trivia) or your primaries and then look at the additional questions.

• Do you have different choices for different matches? 

NO, choices are based on what category

• Do you have wet weather guns?  Especially those who shoot loose powder pistolas. 

They're all ALL weather guns, stee; doesn't get diluted when wet, wood should be protected

• Do you shoot the same calibers all of the time, or switch them up for grins or just to not get stale?   

Again, category & my inventory, (pre-oating accident) dictate

• If you had your choice, within reason, and money wasn't an issue what would you shoot?  I don't mean wishing for original 19th century versions of everything... 

Hmmm... what I have?

• If you shoot a substitute powder is it because of availability, local laws or you just like the way it works and eliminate the "hassle" of BP? 

What hassle?

• Do you ever shoot smokless at some matches? And if you do:
  
  • It's because I am having trouble getting powder, caps, (fill in the item)
  (Yes)
  
  • I just want the change up
  • I'm lazy...
   
• Add anything else you would like to contribute. 

Because I CAN!  Or I won't have time to clean properly
[/list]

I ask because I have "known" some of you for 17 years (longer for others) and I still don't know what we all shoot.  Even moss backs like Coffinmaker(onewurd) surprise me because they shoot brass shotgun shells yet they shoot APP or 777.  No judgement, just curious. I have resorted to substitutes when I had to fly or was in a location where I couldn't get BP.  I don't judge when someone has gone to the trouble of not shooting smokiless powder.

~Mako

BTW, Coffinmaker is a relative "newbie!   

  HoKay Deacon 

Based on some of yer own comments, electing 45 Colt would be a mistake.  The larger straight walled pistol cartridges WILL NOT obturate (expand) to seal the chamber under normal circumstances.  You WILL get Blow-By and it can get nasty.  With 45 Colt, especially Uberti with their "generous" chambers, you only have two choices for true happiness.  First up, Anneal your cases.  You said you don't want or intend to do that so go ahead and shoot yerself inna foot.  Next up is to fire form 44-40 cases to 45 Colt.  The thinner case mouth of the 44-40 case will seal the chamber nicely.  The cases will look some wonky at first firing but don't worry about that.  You do have to run a 45 expander die CAREFULLY thru the 44-40 case.

As an aside:  there are those who recommend a real BIG bullet and a real HEAVY load to fix the Blow-By of the 45 Colt.  Hog Wash.  That practice may mitigate it a bit but won't do anything but waste lead and powder and still leave ya with Blow-By.  Annealing and 44-40 cases are the only two effective solutions.

Next up is .38.  I'm not gonna say anything.  Just scroll back up and re-read MAKO's stuff.  Says it all and more eloquently than I.  Just pay attention to cartridge OAL in ANY '92.  And . . Get Steve Young's DVD and spring kit for the '92.

It appears that even the scalpers supply of Unique is drying up, and apparently, from what I have read, Alliant has suspended the production of all commercial powders due to a  shortage of guncotton (nitrocellulose).  I use Unique for a lot of things, but what I really need a very close substitute for it is for my .45-70 Cody Dixon loads.  In my Trapdoor carbines, with a 300 grain bullet, any load over 10-11gr of Unique shoots over the 50 yard target at the lowest sight settings.   I have read that Universal and/or Universal Clays might be close to Unique in terms of speed/pressure.  Any thoughts?

Howdy Ironbadger,
I just checked https://stevesgunz.com and everything is fine on this end. This is on a Windows 11 laptop with McAfee security. Note that on the "Store" tab, the following message appears:

"Steve is currently experiencing some health issues.
He will be back in touch with his customers as soon as possible.
Also, shipping has slowed down during this time.

Thank you for your understanding.

Sari Young, Steve's wife"

I wish him well.

All these newbies and new fangled ideas...

Who are the newbies and what are the new ideas?

~Mako