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Gentlemens:

I am a competitive black powder cartridge rifle shooter, and have used the powders mentioned. There is a real difference in the burning characteristics of the different brands of powder. This could turn into a long saga of the histories of the manufacturers and such, but suffice it to say that the pecking order of powders is Swiss, Goex Express, Schuetzen, Goex. There are those who would swap the positions of Schuetzen and Goex.

The above order is also, not coincidentally, the order of the "hotness" of the powder. 50 grains of Swiss will yield greater velocity than 50 grains of Goex. This is one of the reasons that Swiss is used in the target games. The other is consistency. Unlike smokeless, black powder varies batch to batch in its density and burning qualities. This is because it is a mechanical mixture of ingredients, one of which is organic: the charcoal. The makers of Swiss seem to have the best handle on the quality of their powder and it is remarkably consistent. Even so, most competitors by powder by the case to avoid the load development required with a new lot. I suspect that Goex has a pretty good handle on their "Express" powder, but I have only used the powder from the original batch.

The fact is all the powders available are pretty good now. Goex hit a rough patch a number years back but seems to have things well under control now. All require slightly different loading techniques for success.

The idea of getting a double rifle to shoot is an intriguing one. With the single shot rifles we are just looking for accuracy and consistency with, generally speaking, as much velocity as we can get. With the double rifle there is the additional requirement of regulation. So besides loading for clean, consistent burning and accuracy, you need to achieve a specific velocity. Sounds like good fun.

The .360x 2-1/4 has been around since coiled cases, and has been loaded for everything from rabbits to deer. The 200 grain bullet is pretty light for caliber. I have had the best success with light for caliber loading using very little or no powder compression.

If I were to try to develop a load I would use Swiss, if for no other reason because I am most familiar with it and it's quirks. In that this is an express load I think 3f in this small case. Primers are real critical in BP loads and I would definitely use Large Pistol primers. Establish the over all length of the cartridge and determine the amount of powder required to fill the case to the base of the bullet. Increase the powder charge two grains at a time until hopefully you find the load you need. If not, change one variable and start over.

Best of luck!

Glenn

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