Best Fouling Powder?

[Petardo]

Looking for opinions on which powder has the easiest cleaning fouling which is the biggest drag on our activities. I do small to medium BP cannons as well as flintlocks shooting less than lethal ordnance like tennis balls, paintballs, airsoft pellets, modified fireworks crackling balls or tennis balls. Hey, I even like shooting cardboard boxes and old plastic shelves with a tennis ball bore hand mortar with the kids, lots of fun.

The problem is that cleaning takes forever, and even though I often scrub between shots, the (solid) breech is the hardest part to clean out for all weapons involved. It takes as much to clean the back of the weapon as it does the whole rest, even the firing mechanism on a flintlock.

I have been using Old Eynsford as it's quite a step up from Goex. It seems to foul less and the fouling is mostly soft. This is true but I am looking for something maybe even cleaner as I heard mixed reviews of this Goex step-up powder.

Now I've contacted various sellers of BP with different opinions; everybody's got one and everyone thinks theirs is the most fragrant and rose-like in aroma while others are more repugnant to their sensibilities. How's that for a family friendly comment per user rules?


I am not looking for accuracy, small groups or consistent high velocities. I want to spend more time shooting with the kids and the least time cleaning. After all Tennis balls don't need tight groups.... at least not for now.

 

[Rifleman1776]

OE or Swiss.
However, there is no getting around the fact this is a dirty game.

 

[coloradoclyde]

Embrace the dirt :grin:

Cleanliness is the way of the breech loaders. :haha:

 

[54ball]

Best Fouling Powder?

Find an old can of Elephant. You'll love Goex from now on.

 

[Grizzly Adams]

Even the "cleanest" BP is nowhere near clean. I use goex in all my guns and my colerain barreled flintlock will be absolutely clean in less than 5 patches. Half the fun of shooting BP is the filth, embrace it :haha:

 

[azmntman]

Half the fun of shooting BP is the filth,

I think the smell is the best part! :idunno:

 

[BrownBear]

I want to spend more time shooting with the kids and the least time cleaning.

In my experience any need to swab every few shots is more a question of the wrong patch lube for the conditions. If your fouling is so hard that you have to swab often just to seat the next load, your lube isn't doing its job.

Dink around with different lubes along with the powder you're already using, and I'm betting you'll eliminate most of your fouling concerns with no change at all to more expensive powders.

 

[azmntman]

I f ya don't wanna swab between shots I suggest Hoppes # 9 Black Powder patch lube and solvent. One can shoot all day with this, smells good too. I order om amazon. Or Midway.

I now swab between shots mostly tho...

 

[Col. Batguano]

How are you igniting your cannons and mortars? BP subs will light with a fuse. You can go with duplex loads of real BP and a sub on top of them in flintlocks. that might be a slight help too.

 

[coloradoclyde]

The problem is that cleaning takes forever,

Your choice of projectiles is contributing to your fouling issues.

 

[hanshi]

I've never found any one brand or grain size that was cleaner than any other. Maybe in certain situations but that's it. "Black powder is dirty so deal with it" is my motto. A "clean" black powder is an oxymoron.

 

[Rifleman1776]

I've never found any one brand or grain size that was cleaner than any other. Maybe in certain situations but that's it. "Black powder is dirty so deal with it" is my motto. A "clean" black powder is an oxymoron.

Don't agree with your first sentance. Elephant is far dirtier than any other brand I have ever used. And that includes my early day "no name" powders. Also, lately using Swiss I find it is much cleaner than anything else I have ever used. But, I'll agree, no such thing as clean bp.

 

[azmntman]

Don't agree with your first sentance. Elephant is far dirtier than any other brand I have ever used. And that includes my early day "no name" powders. Also, lately using Swiss I find it is much cleaner than anything else I have ever used. But, I'll agree, no such thing as clean bp.[/quote]

Do you find it cleans quicker (less patches)? Been thinking of trying some. I hear it has a tad more power than Goex?

 

[smoothshooter]

I agree with colorado clyde that your choice of projectiles is contributing to your fouling problems. The lack of mass found in lighter than normal projectiles prevents the cleaner burn gotten with the heavier projectiles that provide more resistance to the powder burn.
What's wrong with shooting the more conventional projectiles your guns were meant to shoot? Or at least shooting cans of sand or concrete in the larger cannons.
I don't know the ages of your grandchildren, but am concerned they may get a false impression about what guns are capable of, good and bad, and the potential dangers of what you are shooting, and not take them as seriously as they should. After all, cannons and shoulder fired weapons were not designed for primarily benign purposes.
This does not preclude us from having fun with them, however. :grin:
It is good that you take the time to expose younger generations to the positive aspects of our sport.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Don't agree with your first sentance. Elephant is far dirtier than any other brand I have ever used. And that includes my early day "no name" powders. Also, lately using Swiss I find it is much cleaner than anything else I have ever used. But, I'll agree, no such thing as clean bp.

Do you find it cleans quicker (less patches)? Been thinking of trying some. I hear it has a tad more power than Goex?
[/quote]


AZ, it is my long time practice (habit?) to swab between every shot. Even when hunting, I'll swab before a reload. Needed? That is up to the individual to decide. Yes, Swiss is hotter and you can use smaller charges. For the rifle I am using currently, but have not yet worked up it's sweet spot. It is a .45 cal. Douglas barrel. I suspect my final target load will be 40-45 gr. Swiss 3Fg.

 

[azmntman]

I'm a swab between shots guy now too since getting the dutch system. Just wonder if clean up at home is easier.

 

[BrownBear]

Just wonder if clean up at home is easier.

"Easier" as in less water or fewer patches?

I've tried quite a few brands and granulations of powders, both new and old, and don't notice a lick of difference between them at cleanup time. But then again, I'm not trying to conserve water or rags.

 

[azmntman]

Just wonder if clean up at home is easier.

"Easier" as in less water or fewer patches?

I've tried quite a few brands and granulations of powders, both new and old, and don't notice a lick of difference between them at cleanup time. But then again, I'm not trying to conserve water or rags.

was thinking time not resources. I binge bought patches I found on clearance and have like 3000 :shocked2: so Im good there!

 

[BrownBear]

I don't find any time difference at all. Kinda the same comparison as to whether I've shot 1 shot or 100 in a session. Same amount of everything, including time.

 

[coloradoclyde]

I agree with colorado clyde that your choice of projectiles is contributing to your fouling problems. The lack of mass found in lighter than normal projectiles prevents the cleaner burn gotten with the heavier projectiles that provide more resistance to the powder burn.
What's wrong with shooting the more conventional projectiles your guns were meant to shoot? Or at least shooting cans of sand or concrete in the larger cannons.
I don't know the ages of your grandchildren, but am concerned they may get a false impression about what guns are capable of, good and bad, and the potential dangers of what you are shooting, and not take them as seriously as they should. After all, cannons and shoulder fired weapons were not designed for primarily benign purposes.
This does not preclude us from having fun with them, however. :grin:
It is good that you take the time to expose younger generations to the positive aspects of our sport.

BINGO!
I would add that improperly sized, unpatched, unlubricated projectiles, and their physical composition all contribute to terrible fouling.

If you shooting a cannon you should be swabbing between shots for safety anyway.