Well guys I just got me a Pedersoli 1874 Sharps in .45-70. I'm going to be getting some new brass for it (I have 3 other 45-70s) so I can fire form it to my chamber. I want to make up some light loads for fire forming and fill the empty space with cream of wheat. What is a good load of FFg for fire forming. I was thinking about 40 gr.
I've also read that some guys mark the case head after fire forming to orient it in the chamber each time. That sounds a bit extreme except for long range shooting accuracy which I don't plan on doing. But if so, how do you mark the case so it won't disappear?
I'm also going to be building my own drop tube set-up and casting my own bullets. This brings me to another point. Should I paper patch the bullets or lube them. And what lube should I used to keep the black powder fouling soft?
Any information you guys provide would be appreciated.