Black Mag

[Mr Nick]

I read mention of Black Mag BP subsitute in the forums. How does this compare with regular BP? Cleaning, accuracy etc.

 

[graybeard]

Black Mag 3 works great in caplocks. Holds same zero as pyrodex. Cleans up slick and quick as advertised. Doesn't work worth a damn in flintlocks. You'll get misfires, hangfires and nofires in a flinter. It's expensive, but is great stuff as long as you are not shooting a flinter. :m2c: graybeard

 

[Tahquamenon]

Compare with regular traditional Black Powder?

It does not IMO.
I like traditional BP very much. But really have enjoyed shooting now almost my 3rd pound of BM'3. I've shot BM'3 in a variety of percussions and modern ML's.
Shoots excellent.

Traditional BP is:
Corrosive, Hydroscopic, many orders of magitude greater in fouling, more volatile for storage, a greater mess to clean up, not nearly as powerful as BM'3 with the same charge.

To my experiences BM'3 performs exactly as the manufacturer claims.
www.magkor.com

As far as flintlocks, I've not tried it yet. I've heard that BM'3 does not work well for Flint, but I'll likely try BM'3 as a main charge and 3F or 4F as a primer.

BM'3 is excellent substitute powder, the best I've ever shot! :thumbsup:
:imo:

 

[Mr Nick]

From reading some of the past threads it appears that Goex Pinnacle, Black Mag 3 and American Pioneer may all be the same formula. They all seem to have the same characteristics. Non hydorscopic, non corrosive, less fouling, less oder, same accuracy as BP, and cost more.

 

[Tahquamenon]

APP is not in the same ballpark as BM'3.
APP is anemic velocity-wise, the ignition is slower, it's more hydroscopic, it is not recoverable if it does get wet, and it's great fouling than BM'3.



Not shot the Goex Pinnacle side by side with BM'3 yet.
I'd venture to say that it's not 100% the same as different companies are doing different formulations and product.

 

[Mr Nick]

One of the posts showed the label on the Goex Pinnacle and it was made by American Pioneer. Maybe these 2 are the same?

 

[Mr Nick]

Since BM3 is so expensive, where can one buy or order in quanity to save?

 

[Tahquamenon]

unless you are buying at a retail you will get hit with a $20 hazmat shipping fee from 1 to up to several pounds.

So it will be cheaper if you can get some friends to go in with you or order 4 pounds or more at a time and share the hazmat fee.

Cabela's has an order code for Black Mag'

 

[Mr Nick]

After getting all excited about Black Mag, maybe I'll stay with BP. Track of the Wolf, $11.42 a pound including shippin and hazmat with a case (25 Lbs). Cabella's Black mag about $30 a pound on a 4 pound order including hazmat but not shipping. Looks like over the counter is cheaper than Cabela's

 

[bearbeater]

hey upper falls
What about 777 3f how does that work??? thinking about trying that
Bearbeater

 

[Catof9tails]

Without considering price, is Black Mag better than Pyrodex? Does it ignite better than Pyrodex? And is clean up better with Black Mag?

 

[Tahquamenon]

hey upper falls
What about 777 3f how does that work??? thinking about trying that
Bearbeater

777 3F does shoot very well. I've shot many pounds of 3F 777. I like 777 3F very well also, but prefer BM'3 for all reasons. I'm not counting cost. For me the cost is one of the last factors I consider. I tend to prefer superior performance versus costs savings.

Pyrodex RS or P has to be one of if not the worst substitues I've ever has the displeasure of shooting. I still have a pound each in case I run out of everything else and powder of all kinds becomes un-available.

It's like you have not even fired in regards to cleanliness when you compare BM'3 to Pyrodex or real BP. Most of the fouling from BM'3 is actaully the cap/primer. Pyrodex is filthy.
:imo:

 

[Mr Nick]

OK so now I'm less concerned with the price of BM3 vs BP. However,does anyone sell BM3 by the case in order to get a better price? The only place I've seen is Cabela's and their price is about the same as over the counter.

 

[graybeard]

I use Black Mag 3 in both my cap and ball firearms. As long as you are using caps it fires just fine. Cleans up even better. Seems to have consistent pressures, since I get no poi changes(except for my poor shooting). Just don't try it in a flintlock, no matter what the BM3 folk say. Pyrodex is a little worse in a flinter than BM3, and much, much harder to clean. graybeard :m2c:

 

[Catof9tails]

Hmmm, thanks for the info. I think the old cat will switch from Pyrodex to Black Mag 3. Just so I get this right, the volume of BM3 is the same as Blackpowder in grains just like Pyrodex?

Thanks, Cat9

 

[Tahquamenon]

OK so now I'm less concerned with the price of BM3 vs BP. However,does anyone sell BM3 by the case in order to get a better price? The only place I've seen is Cabela's and their price is about the same as over the counter.

:hmm: No idea. I'm buying mine retail over the counter.

Cabela's has the four pound order which is a little less per pound.

Call the folks at Midsouth Shooter Supply and ask if they will give you a break on quantity.
www.midsouthshooterssupply.com

 

[Tahquamenon]

Hmmm, thanks for the info. I think the old cat will switch from Pyrodex to Black Mag 3. Just so I get this right, the volume of BM3 is the same as Blackpowder in grains just like Pyrodex?

Thanks, Cat9

Yes it's measured out the same, by volume of loose powder.

But, Black Mag'3 should be reduced 20% by volume.

It's that much more powerful by volume than traditional black powder or Pyrodex.

So for example if your rifle's max load data for a given projectile is;
150gr BP/Pyrodex = 120gr BM'3 Max Load.
120gr BP/Pyrodex = 96gr BM'3 Max load.
110gr BP/Pyrodex = 88gr BM'3 Max Load.
100gr BP/Pyrodex = 80gr BM'3 Max Load.
90gr BP/Pyrodex = 72gr BM'3 Max Load.
80gr BP/Pyrodex = 64gr BM'3 Max Load.

:thumbsup:

 

[Catof9tails]

I think I'll try BM3 and see what it does.

Thanks, Cat9

 

[Mr Nick]

Well I bit the bullet and ordered 10# of Black Mag 3. $283.83 to my door. No one around here seems to carry it (California), Ordered form Midsouth Shooters Supply.

 

[Tahquamenon]

I think you will be very pleased with the BM'3 performance.

Please report back to us your experience.

:thumbsup: