All y'all,,, and chemicals... although plastic bags can be right handy when it's rainin'!

• I don't know...I'll bet several of us are older and have been shooting BP longer than you have.  There are some pretty old codgers on this forum...
  
• The first handgun I ever fired was an original 1860 manufactured in 1861 (family gun).  I have fond memories of that.  I had just finished the 2nd grade, we cast balls for it in the back yard over a "camp fire", used a can of who knows how old Dupont FFFg powder (i still have the can and some of the powder) only the caps were new. The old caps we had wouldn't fire, we had to go to the hardware store to get some new caps.
• I was hunting with a '73 in 44 WCF manufactured in 1886 (family gun) when I was 17 (I remember because I killed a deer with it that year).   The second handgun I ever fired is a SAA in .45 Colt manufactured in 1896 (I was 10).
• I still have all of those guns along with four family model 94s (Pre-war 20" saddle Ring carbines made in the '20s except for mine which was made in the '50s)  stamped 30 WCF (mine is the only one that is marked .30-30)
• I only shot vintage and antique guns until I was in college.  I only shot a pump shotgun or automatic a few times on the ranch (ranch guns, not mine), I have the original 30" double barreled cheap Belgian shotgun every hardware store sold that belonged to my great grandfather, and I shot that until I was 18 and bought myself a Rem 870.  I'm not boasting but, when were your revolvers and rifle manufactured and when did you start shooting them?  Who are you call'n a Newbie?

And what chemicals are you talking about?  Are you talking about Ballistol, or water?

Just phun'n you...

~Mako

I'd save it for my .30-30.  Don't have a .30-30?  Good excuse to get one!

Accurate 5744.  My version of QuickLOAD shows that 11 grains of Unique with a 300 grain bullet out of a 22" bbl is going 1174fps @ 10,662psi.  22 grains of 5744 in the same combo will push that bullet 1176fps, but at a reduced pressure of 8,004psi.  Your trajectory for other distances will be off due to the lower pressure... but... surely there's no better excuse to get out to the range and shoot more!  Of course, you could always take Coffinmaker's excellent advise! 

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
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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.