American Pioneer Powder, aka CleanShot

[BrownBear]

Had no idea they were in Whitewater. Sounds like the guy is a goodun, and too bad he got hurt doing the right thing.

 

[Mr. Troll]

Just did a 50 round range session with my Pietta 1858. I hope that this stuff becomes available again, as I was quite impressed with both the consistency and the reliability. Shot 2 5 round groups from a bench that were around 2", and then spent the rest of the time shooting 8" silhouettes from 50'...clean up? About 5 minutes, with just hot water. The chambers are shiny inside, like they have never been used! :thumbsup:

 

[Mr. Troll]

At least one group I belong to says that if there are no pictures posted, then it didn't happen. I took this shot with my phone the other day and forgot to post it. The first five shots were getting a feel for where it was going to hit with a 30 gr. load of APP, and then I settled down and took it seriously, for the last 10. The red mark was point of hold for 25 yards....clean up was a breeze
https://goo.gl/photos/YhdnsDDUsHPKbqwG9

 

[necchi]

Ooh, a picture.
That must make the powder the best.
Tell that to your "one group" that needs pictures.

 

[coloradoclyde]

Don't mean to sound critical...but Pyrodex will do the same...and even then it's not worth bragging about....Just sayin..
But I'm glad it works for you and allows you to make smoke....Different strokes for different folks.... :v

 

[Mr. Troll]

It was just something else to try. 50 odd years ago, all I used was black powder because that's all there was. I'm trying the substitutes because they are far easier to find around here, and the clean up and minimal fouling is quite a plus. Yes the 1858 is a very good shooting gun, and it will group the same with the Pyrodex...

 

[Dean2]

Don't let the "Only Black or Die" crowd pull your chain. For MANY shooters subs are the only realistic option now that black is getting so hard to find in many areas. At least here in Canada Black is still very easy to come by and we don't have all the inane restrictions you guys have to put up with.

A couple of years ago I posted about shooting some of this Clean Shot and was roundly razed for it too. Despite that, it does shoot very well, cleans up easy, just takes a bit more powder to get the same velocity. If it is easier to get and works for you, keep shooting it. All the best.

 

[Mr. Troll]

Just went to the range today with my G&G and, using 17 gr of APP, I shot several very good targets at 25 yards. Ignition was always uniform. Sometimes, with Pyrodex and the lighter loads for the .36, there would be a noticeable delay in firing...almost like a flint lock...no such problem with the APP...Black powder is not readily available around here in 3F, so anything I can get is what I'll use. The APP is the only thing I've tried that doesn't bind up the base pin on my Remington..

 

[Okie Hog]

The APP is the only thing I've tried that doesn't bind up the base pin on my Remington..

One of the reasons why many CASS shooters use APP.

 

[tecum-tha]

The substitutes may be necessary in Canada.
In the US, black powder is easily mail ordered for a competitive price. Powder doesn't need to be available local. Puts too much costs on local shops due to storage regulations and prices will not be competitive anymore. Just store a decent supply at home. The less black powder is sold overall, the more expensive it will become over time. And substitutes only work in percussion guns.
I shoot the cheapest reenactor powder for around $10 and that included the Hazmat and shipping. It was $200 for 25lbs + shipping and hazmat fee when I bought it. Shoots as good as more expensive powder unless you are a constant 10x offhand shooter. I shot exactly the same group sizes with reenactor than with 2F.
A little more dirty? Maybe, maybe not. Depends largely on the climate and your wiping routine.
On a percussion revolver, the biggest PITA is cleaning the 6 nipples anyways, the rest is a breeze. .44cal 1851 Navy here.
Black powder will stay exactly the same over time if kept in the cans. The newer plastic cans are even better, because they don't corrode anymore.
Caps still need to be stored in a dry location and only some brands come in plastic tins.
A lot of people should seriously get off the "I can't buy it in my local store" wagon.....

 

[BrownBear]

A lot of people should seriously get off the "I can't buy it in my local store" wagon.....

Unless you live in Alaska, that is....

 

[tecum-tha]

Thinking about the lower 48 of course, excluding Hawaii and you are right: Alaska.
The OP being from Wisconsin.

 

[mooman76]

Problem is not everyone has a couple hundred bucks to order BP and have it shipped so on a practical basis it is better for them to buy what they can get local. I rather have real BP myself and do now but won't hesitate to my the fake stuff if I feel the need for some.

 

[Mean Gene]

Where I live here on the left coast I can't even find bp any more, so I just use pyrodex. However I would like to try some of this new powder if I can find it.

 

[mooman76]

There are places in CA that do sell BP. Not many but some are around. I believe sportsman Warehouse has some Cleanshot or APP but not sure. They do have Black MZ which is very cheap and shoot good.

 

[Mean Gene]

Thanks moon many I'll look into that.

 

[Mr. Troll]

The closest sportsmen's warehouse to my location is about 300 miles away. They have black MZ for $10 a pound, but it's $10 for shipping....Nobody in Wisconsin seems to have even heard of it, much less carry it....Nobody has any black powder readily available for a reasonable price with 100 miles....

 

[Rick Boylan]

I know that Bass Pro sells it at the store near me. Check to see if you have a Bass Pro store near you.
https://www.google.com/webhp?sourc...spv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=bass pro wisconsin locations

 

[Mr. Troll]

Nearest Bass Pro Shop to me is 272 miles away...not quite as far as the other store, but still not exactly nearby...

 

[tecum-tha]

One can always order #5, #10 and so on. The prices will be somewhat higher per lb with the smaller amounts, but probably still cheaper than a local store could offer it.
Other option is to order together with friends or a club.If someone does some halfway serious amount of BP shooting, one will easily burn through a few lbs of powder in a few month.