Black-Powder Cartridge Target Bullets

Fine-Tuning for Accuracy

- Mike Venturino

These are Mike’s “pet” BPCR Silhouette handloads: a .40-65 with a 425-grain pointed bullet (right) and a .45-70 with a 560-grain Creedmoor bullet (left). Both are from custom Steve Brooks molds.

These are three Black Powder-specific bullet lubricants with which Mike has had considerable experience.

Off-the-shelf and custom bullet designs. All these are .45 caliber: (1) Lyman 457658, 480 grains pointed with three grooves, (2) Steve Brooks custom 500-grain Government RN with five grooves, (3) Redding/SAECO 645 530-grain Creedmoor with a flat tip, (4) Buffalo Arms 458540, 540-grain Creedmoor with four grooves, (5) Buffalo Arms 458565, 565-Government RN with four grooves, (6) Steve Brooks 550-grain Creedmoor with four grooves, (7) RCBS 45-530-RN Creedmoor with three grooves.

In the 1980s, there came a renaissance of black-powder cartridge rifle shooting focused on the big-bore single shots, such as those used by bison hunters or long-range “Creedmoor” competitors of the 1870s. Those modern events began as informal “gong” matches with various types of steel targets usually placed at amazing distances. Following soon, more formal NRA sanctioned metallic silhouettes and paper target competitions appeared. As might be expected, rules for informal events are at the whims of match directors. However, with NRA events there is one rule carved in stone. That is: only lead alloy bullets are allowed. Even gas checks are not permitted.