I've never loaded any rifle black powder ctg. but will soon be looking for a good .45/70 so I'd like to start asking all the dumb questions I think of before I really need the info.
I've been told and read that you really need to use a drop tube to settle the powder when loading large rifle cases. My question is why? Is it for consistency? And if so, why can't you just shake or tap the cases a few times to settle the powder. Even if you use a tube, doesn't ordinary handling jostle the powder enough to upset the settling. If you don't use a tube do you just risk not getting predictable loads?

Any help would be appreciated..

Settling black powder makes it burn more consistently. In fact, a good black powder load will show a lower standard deviation in velocity than most smokeless loads. You can tap down black powder but it's slower than using a drop tube.

Black powder loads should come right to the base of the bullet or even be compressed. Air space in a black powder load can cause pressure problems. Once you've seated the bullet, the powder will have no place to go so handling the rounds won't change how the powder sits in the cartridge.

Keep in mind that black powder can be compressed considerably without problems but black powder substitutes are less tolerant of compression.

Ditto that last post. When you start reloading, pay attention to that "no airspace" idea. A little compression is good. Most BP cartridge shooters also use a "cookie" loaded between the bullet and the powder charge. A simple cookie is two 0.30" fiber wads with 1/8" beeswax between them. Protects the bullet base, aids compression, softens fouling.
Pete

The cookie idea sounds good. I do shoot black powder cap & ball so I'm used to using a lubed wad between powder and bullet. Can you use the same type of wad in BP cartridge? I've done some blackpowder (substitute) .45 Colt loading and never used a wad but it sounds like it might be a good idea, at least from the fouling standpoint.

The cookie idea sounds good. I do shoot black powder cap & ball so I'm used to using a lubed wad between powder and bullet. Can you use the same type of wad in BP cartridge? I've done some blackpowder (substitute) .45 Colt loading and never used a wad but it sounds like it might be a good idea, at least from the fouling standpoint.

The lubed wads that we use in MLers are overkill for BPCRs. The standard wads are "Walter's Wads", a vegetable fiber wad. Cheap, caliber specific, bags of 1000 for $18 at MidwayUsa.com. OR...buy a wad punch and make your own from milk cartons. Cookies absolutely improve accuracy.
Pete

A drop tube will not do you any good if you simply "dump" the powder in, the powder must be trickled slowly through the tube allowing it to settle itself into the case - from there, if the hight is right so that the base of the bullet is in firm contact with the powder you can seat the bullet right on top of it or further compress the powder with a compression die.

For reduced loads, fiber cushion and card wads do work well. Wads can also be beneficial in making a load that isn't quite right work better but it's a matter of trial and error to see what the gun wants to have. The use of thin veggie fiber wads between the bullet base & powder is sometimes helpful to to control fouling on a load that otherwise works well. I prefer Circle Fly brand wads myself.

Grease cookies may or may not a benefit - just like wads and just about everything else associated with BPCR, there is a lot of reading what the gun tells you and the trial and error necessary to find out exactly what the gun wants.

There's a whole bunch of other variables too like: case sizing or not, amount of neck tension, crimp or not, over-primer wad, compression or not, compaction or not. One of the biggest issues is that imitation powders like Pyrodex, T-7, Black Mag, ect many times will not perform the same as real black powder. You will also find that certain cartridges/guns will perform far better with paper patched bullets while others will give their best with a standard non-patched bullet - and just because two basically identical guns are used, the best performing load in each may be completely different from each other.

I've never loaded any rifle black powder ctg. but will soon be looking for a good .45/70 so I'd like to start asking all the dumb questions I think of before I really need the info.
I've been told and read that you really need to use a drop tube to settle the powder when loading large rifle cases. My question is why? Is it for consistency? And if so, why can't you just shake or tap the cases a few times to settle the powder. Even if you use a tube, doesn't ordinary handling jostle the powder enough to upset the settling. If you don't use a tube do you just risk not getting predictable loads?

Any help would be appreciated..

Consistency is a key element.