Do you prefer Real Black Powder or a BP substitute?.........Why?

[Tom A Hawk]

I started with real BP back in the 70's. Tried some Pyrodex once just out of curiosity and to see if I was missing anything. I wasn't. I shoot charges on the heavy end in my percussion Hawken. I don't have a chronograph ( yet ) but by felt recoil and it quickly became apparent the Pyrodex didn't shoot as hard as the real stuff. I've been shooting real BP ever since and that nearly full can of Pyrodex is still in my garage. Most recently I have become addicted to Swiss brand as it shoots harder and significantly flatter than Goex.

 

[appalichian hunter]

Is that not why our weapons are called black powder weapons and not pyrodex or triple seven weapons, never shot the subs and never will am I a elitist's you bet especially when it comes to this issue. They were built for black powder and that's what you shoot in them.

 

[YJake]

My flint musket and rifle get the real stuff always. I’ve used 777 in my 1858, it shoots well and creates a higher velocity per grain than FFFg Goex. Never used 777 in my long guns and likely never will. I only bought it because it was easier to find. I still prefer the Holy Black when possible.

-Jake

 

[Half-Cocked]

I remember as a child I used to be able to walk into a Big 5 sporting goods and pick up some 4f for about 12 bucks American. Picked up right off the shelf! What has happened?


I drove an hour to bay city to buy some recently for 23 bucks. I’m pretty sure if I order about 4 pounds with hazmat online I can get the price to about $22 apiece.

i’m going to go that route the next time I got $100 bill laying around.

 

[William O.]

Only the Holy Black for me. I've tried subs and only got inconsistent results, almost ruined a 58 Remington due to the fouling and experienced a rather painful hang fire from Triple 7. I did use T-7 in my cartridge guns when I was still doing the SASS thing but found that because it burned hotter than traditional BP, the brass started to split after only 4 reloads.

 

[jonathan hawkin]

Black powder for me, I'll admit i have never tried pryodex, but to me it didnt look like it had any benefit, and as black powder is pretty easy to get here and seems to be the one thing that's not gone up in price! so am keeping on with it, also the smoke and smell is nice and always attracts interest when shooting clays at a ground with nitro shooters

 

[Dave Marsh]

Real black powder for me because it works.

 

[Howard Pippin]

Howard,
Please let it be know that on my original post I indicated this subject was not to criticize anyone's choice, only to find out why? I have not read 100% of the replies. The general consensus I am seeing is most actually prefer real black. Simply put...... their choice! That is not a put down to anyone who choses to use a sub. Hope that helps if you thought otherwise.
Keep your powder dry my friend.
Flintlocklar

I sort of consider the different reactions to what one chooses to use to ignite his muzzleloader as being on par with why I shoot a 270 over an 06. The reasons are varied, but what works for me doesn't have to work for you. I've already stated in several places that I have to drive 400 miles to get black, and that's one way. I can take the other choice and order enough to make hazmat and cost profitable with enough powder to last 40 years and I'm already in my 80s so I don't need that either. I'm not going to defend what I use, including my old compound bow. if I'm lucky enough to kill my antelope this year with my 777 percussion fiberglass stocked muzzleloader, by golly I will post a picture.
Squint

 

[sussexmuzllodr]

I sort of consider the different reactions to what one chooses to use to ignite his muzzleloader as being on par with why I shoot a 270 over an 06. The reasons are varied, but what works for me doesn't have to work for you. I've already stated in several places that I have to drive 400 miles to get black, and that's one way. I can take the other choice and order enough to make hazmat and cost profitable with enough powder to last 40 years and I'm already in my 80s so I don't need that either. I'm not going to defend what I use, including my old compound bow. if I'm lucky enough to kill my antelope this year with my 777 percussion fiberglass stocked muzzleloader, by golly I will post a picture.
Squint

Howard you and I think alike. If I use pyrodex because BP is not readily available where I live. Then the onus is on me to keep my Arms clean and serviceable If I choose to do so. And really why should anyone else really give a hoot on what I use ...they have no stake in it other than opinion.....
Yes I still use a compound also...
SM

 

[sussexmuzllodr]

We are all driven to utilize things available to us in our specific regions. Very similar to the hunter gatherers of many years gone by.

Sm

 

[SkunkApe]

Blackhorn 209 - can shoot all day and never need to swab between shots. No appreciable fouling and easy to clean at the end of the day, and non corrosive

 

[Bob McBride]

We are all driven to utilize things available to us in our specific regions. Very similar to the hunter gatherers of many years gone by.

Sm

That’s taking ‘Historically Correct” just a bit too far. Lol. I won’t drive 20 miles anymore if the inter webs are up.

 

[Larry (Omaha)]

We are all driven to utilize things available to us in our specific regions. Very similar to the hunter gatherers of many years gone by.

Sm

Very true, thanks for the reply. My original post excluded availability as a matter of choice.
Keep your powder dry
Larry

 

[Sun City]

Order a case at a time and order from Powder Inc! Will deliver to your door! Yep...you'll pay a UPS extra charge but it beats pizzaintin all over the country looking for it and saying it's not available! No more than some folks shoot....probably one pound a year is good enuff!

 

[Twisted_1in66]

Just use real blackpowder in my flintlock because it works reliably every time. I never could get Pyrodex to work in it and 777 would work once in a while. Real black powder works all the time because it has a much lower ignition point than the substitutes.

 

[Mulebrain]

I cannot believe that the place where the Revolution was fought, and the Civil War Started has zero black powder.

I really only shoot substitutes in cannons as a filler.

 

[hanshi]

Black powder only for me. I've never used any subs in my muzzleloaders. Mainly because I shoot flintlocks 98% of the time and BP flat-out works.

 

[Okie Hog]

i thoroughly detest black powder. IMO: The stuff is cruddy nearly beyond belief. Recently bought four pounds of Goex at a garage sale for $10.00. Will use it to destroy stumps.

 

[Greg Blackburn]

4 pounds of black powder for $10.00? You find great deals!

 

[MarkItZero]

The lack of fouling is a serious advantage for the substitutes. In a single shot rifle it might not matter that much, but being able to fire 100sof RDS in a revolver without cleaning it halfway is a big deal to me