Black powder substitute

[Suntiger]

Have never used anything but black powder in my Navy colts , but was wondering if any of you have any thoughts on using pyrodex or other substitutes

[ShotgunDave]

Hey Suntiger. I use Pyrodex P in mine on occasion. I don't really notice any difference, except cleanup takes a tad longer. In my opinion, it's perfectly acceptable.

[Captainkirk]

I've burned a lot of Pyrodex P in my day. A lot.
Nothing wrong with it, as long as you clean the gun well after shooting...which I assume you do anyway.

[Hawg]

I've used a lot of Pyrodex. It's good stuff with an undeserved reputation for causing corrosion.

[Len]

I alternate between Swiss and Tripple Seven. Not much difference.

[Hawg]

I use Pyrodex and Swiss. Pyrodex has the same if not more power than Swiss per volume and is cheaper than T7.

[Necessaryevil]

T7 is very powerful volume for volume. It is in MY experience the cleanest burning and the easiest to clean up afterwards.

[ssb73q]

Hi Suntiger, I hate Pryodex, the smoke makes me choke. It's inconsistent ignition have it a slightly better substitute than using match heads.   

See this thread for different powder performance:

https://blackpowdersmoke.com/colt/index.php/topic,1356.msg11667.html#msg11667

Regards,
Richard

[Hawg]

Different numbers https://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=167311

[Suntiger]

I greatly appreciate all of the responses... my local source doesn’t sell black powder any more... try to figure out what to do..

[ssb73q]

Hi Suntiger, I buy my black powder from Graf & Sons:

https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/category/categoryId/3501

I see that most of their BP is now out of stock. I have never seen the shortage of BP so bad. IMO keep an eye on Graf's stock and I recommend getting Olde Eynsford that is as good as Swiss, but a lot lower cost. If you have concern about the hazmat fee, share the cost with a friend. IMO getting real BP will become harder and harder in the future, get it while you can.

Regards,
Richard

[AlaskanGuy]

am I the only one that makes their own powder??? perfect project for lockdown times.....


granulating.


processing willow charcoal for faster powder....

I use the CIA method and do most of the processing in the kitchen on the stove...  great fun and satisfying for you Lockdown types.... just a bit of sulfer, salt peter, and charcoal, and practice, and no shortage..

just an idea...

[ShotgunDave]

Mark, I keep telling myself to get to the hardware store, and stock up on the materials to make my own. Then all I'd ever need to buy is caps, since I can't make them myself. I may just do it too.

[Len]

I have the ingredients in store, but haven't produced the end product yet, as there's no shortage here for the time being. At the age of about 13, we were three friends that built rockets and produced the BP ourselves and formed the propellant core with shellack. The rockets were all metal and we turned the nozzels according to measures we found in books (no net at that time). We lived next door to a military experimental aircraft field. The rockets worked just fine. They all disappeared. We were lucky not to shoot down any jet fighters.

[G Dog]

Over the decades I've shot a shit-ton of Pyro P.  It's always treated me well.  Even in paper revolver carts it lights right up and it's got good jam. There are powders I prefer over Pyrodex but the histrionics over that particular sub have always seemed a little over done to me. 

And yea, you gotta clean it.  With water.  But, what's new?