Black Powder Substitutes

[Larry3626]

I'm finding it difficult and expensive to buy Black Powder in Miami. I would like to use a BP substitute, but don't know what to buy for my firearms.
My current reproduction firearms are:
1851 Colt Navy cap & Ball
Traditions Kentucky Rifle
Ruger Vaquero 45LC
Any info would be appreciated.

 

[Vtsmoker]

I currently use Pyrodex "P" in my c&b and repro rifles. Have no problem with ignition and cleans up very good. Just remember to adjust the charge as real BP and subs are a LITTLE different. :thumbsup:

 

[Greenmtnboy]

I'm finding it difficult and expensive to buy Black Powder in Miami. I would like to use a BP substitute, but don't know what to buy for my firearms.
My current reproduction firearms are:
1851 Colt Navy cap & Ball
Traditions Kentucky Rifle
Ruger Vaquero 45LC
Any info would be appreciated.

when it comes to accuracy and consistancy there is no subsitute to real blk powder.
Go to coonies blk powder or powder inc..
go in on a case with a friend or get 10 lbs at a time.
:thumbsup:

 

[wattlebuster]

You can order some black powder an have it shipped to your door from any of the powder distributors. :thumbsup:

 

[BrownBear]

While black works better in my experience too, I still think it's worthwhile- even important- to figure out how to make subs work for you. Around here black is as scarce as gold and you have to move heaven and earth to get it (no overland shipping of hazmat, and the big powder sources won't ship to Alaska in the first place). I manage to get black every couple of years, but in the droughts I have had to fall back on subs.

Depending on your feelings about the future and the availability of black, does it make sense NOT to know how to make subs work? Been there, done that, got the t-shirt. I'm not willing to quit shooting just because I can't get black.

 

[William O.]

I like Triple 7, and for every gun except for the 45LC, get some in 3f and reduce the recommended powder charge by 15% because T-7 is more energetic compared to traditional black powder. Do not use 3f Triple 7 in cartridge loads.

 

[Amikee]

Before I knew that Goex exists I used pyrodex rs select in my .50 percussion hawken from investarms. It work super and cleaning wasn't an issue. Now I'm using goex, and to tell you the truth, I do notice a difference in ignition speed and also I'm getting much more residue now, so I'm just spending little more time cleaning. But pyrodex work just as good. I liked it. More expensive maybe, but more stores have them. Good luck

 

[slumlord44]

Why not use 777 in cartridge loads? Have done it and seems to work fine.

 

[mtmshieldshotmail.com]

Why not use 777 in cartridge loads? Have done it and seems to work fine.

See Hodgdon's Triple Seven loading notes on their website. They caution to use only Triple Seven FFg in cartridges. There are a couple of other cautions regarding use of cards and compression with Triple Seven, but I won't repeat it all here.

Regards,
Mike

 

[Zonie]

Here's a link to Hodgdon's site.
http://www.hodgdon.com/loading.html

It does a pretty good job of describing how to load with Pyrodex and 777.

 

[FRJ]

Pyrodex will cause corrosion in your barrel and doesn't clean out any where as well as holy black. Frank

 

[Zonie]

All of the black powder substitutes AND real black powder will cause corrosion in your barrel.

That's why it is important to clean ALL black powder guns as quickly as possible after they have been shot.

As for ease of cleaning I have never noticed a difference between Pyrodex and real black powder.

Both are easy to clean if a tiny bit of soap and lots of water are used.

 

[William O.]

Why not use 777 in cartridge loads? Have done it and seems to work fine.

3f Triple 7 has a specific warning on the can that it is not to be used in cartridges, but 2f is fine and I have used it when I shot cowboy action with good results.