May have been asked before

[Suntiger]

Having trouble finding black powder... local bass pro doesn’t carry it any more... how’s your experience w Pyrodex as a substitute .. I’ve never had to try it before..

[ShotgunDave]

I use it about half the time. I use it in my C&B cylinders and load it into cartridges for my .45 Colt. It works great.

Some folks will tell you it's more corrosive to the gun than real BP, and it may be. But if you clean your gun right after shooting, you won't have a problem. I've not experienced any adverse effects from using Pyrodex.

[ssb73q]

Hi Suntiger, I hate Pryodex. A sub I regularly use and like is Black Mz. If you are willing to pay a hazmat fee, you can buy all the BP you need:

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

Regards,
Richard

[Suntiger]

Thanks to you both!

I really would prefer, not knowing otherwise, to stick with the real thing..unless I can’t...there is something about black powder.. but again I’ve never seen or smelled Pyrodex in action

[ShotgunDave]

Don't get me wrong, I prefer real BP always. But if for some reason I don't have any, I just use Pyrodex because it's about all that's available locally. BP isn't available anywhere here, I have to order it. I get mine form Powder Valley and seems to be cheaper than anywhere. It's only $16.95 for a 1lb canister and you can buy any quantity from 1 to 50. Of course, there's the hazmat fee too.

https://www.powdervalleyinc.com/product/goex-black-powder-fffg-1//

[Hawg]

I use a lot of it. It's good powder comparable to Swiss and has an undeserved reputation for rust and corrosion. The smell is a lot different tho. It doesn't work well in flintlocks and Sharps but standard caps set it off just fine in revolvers and side locks. It's also the closest to real black of all the subs in the ingredients used. 

[ssb73q]

Hi Suntiger, you may want to read this thread to help you with your propellant decisions:

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

Regards,
Richard

[bigted]

Richard, great effort there. Thank You for all that work and cash expenditure. I do not know how I missed your very fine work but hopefully I can re-find it when I have questions concerning powder quality and burn rates.

I very much enjoy these tests and look forward to the next set to.

[G Dog]

Hi ssb --   
Since you first posted it I've kept a link to that data separate and handy for many informative references.  Thanks again.

Good quote of you from there:

"Isn't that beautiful, the muzzle energy is almost linearly directly proportional to the powder weight".

 

[Captainkirk]

I don't hate Pyrodex.
I prefer the real thing, but buying it has become a royal pain.
I can buy a pound of Pyro...or I can buy minimum 6 pounds of BP with shipping and haz fees thrown in.
It's pretty much a lose/lose situation.

[ssb73q]

Hi Kirk, you may think that you don't need 6lbs of BP, but if you look at it as an investment in being able to shoot BP it's cheap now. I have no doubt that in the future some fool will use BP to hurt others. That's all Nancy and other anti-gun idiots need to ban the use of BP by hobbyists. Look on how many sporting goods stores now no longer carry BP because of regulations.

Real BP lasts for hundreds of years. Even if you don't use it, your great great grand-kids can. Don't be penny wise and pound foolish.

Regards,
Richard

[Captainkirk]

You make some good points, Richard.
I guess it's just ponying up for the big purchase I need to get past.

[ssb73q]

Hi Kirk, as you may know I mostly use subs instead of real BP. However, I have a reserve of real BP that could last me many lifetimes. I would rather be secure in my ability to shoot C&B BP in the future than save a few bucks. I'm sure my son-in-law in the future will be happy for my living by the old Boy Scout motto of Be Prepared.

However, avoid Pryodex. IMO that stuff is chemically unstable for long term storage. Don't tell Hawg. lol

Regards,
Richard

[Hawg]

However, avoid Pryodex. IMO that stuff is chemically unstable for long term storage. Don't tell Hawg. lol

Depends on what you call long term storage. I've got two open bottles that were opened about 6 years ago and it still works good enough I can't tell any degradation.

[ssb73q]

Hi Hawg, frankly, I don't really know how stable is Pryodex with time. I just hate the stuff since it is erratic with ignition and choke on the smoke. I said what I said to get a rise out of you. I apologize.

Regards,
Richard