DP Indian Trade Musket

[horkeye]

Hi Everybody!

Took the above to the range on Sat for its first real outing; 65gns GOEX 4FA, can't remember patch ball combination (that's why pencils & note books were invented ). First shot - PHFFFFFFFFFFT bang! Second (and subsequent) shot, less priming powder - BANG!

Anyway, am VERY pleased with performance of firearm, and as a bonus I came second with it in the 50m offhand; 1st place by 2 points was a cap-lock! :curse:

Jim.
:thumbsup:

 

[jim gray]

I'm not familiar with 4FA granulation, I thought that was for use in fireworks. How does that compare to 2Fg or 3Fg?

Congratulations on your second place finish. I guess if you had had more experience with the gun you could've made up those 2 points. :thumbsup:

 

[bezoar]

I thought A and B designations implied BLASTING POWDER since the late 1800s.

 

[horkeye]

I'm not familiar with 4FA granulation, I thought that was for use in fireworks. How does that compare to 2Fg or 3Fg?

FITP,
I purchased it about 5 yrs ago; it came in a cardboard box labeled GOEX, and if I remember correctly it was loose in a clear plastic type bag. It was firecracker powder, and it is a little finer than 3F.

I have a few pounds of it which I had forgetten about and only found it a few months ago, and thought what the heck I'll give it a go; it worked fine!
Jim.
:redthumb:

 

[Stumpkiller]

I believe, the "FA" series hasn't been coated with graphite (the "g" in modern blackpowder designations) and is actually closer to authentic. 4FA is a fireworks grade powder.

Powder Inc. ~ Fireworks Powder (click here)

 

[horkeye]

I believe, the "FA" series hasn't been coated with graphite (the "g" in modern blackpowder designations) and is actually closer to authentic. 4FA is a fireworks grade powder

Stumpkiller,

My memory is getting worse & worse (as is my eyesight etc etc), what was I writing about??? oh yes, I thought that only the GOEX Cartridge grade powder was graphite coated, hence the shinier appearence compared to other GOEX grades. ::

Anyway, I purchased it several years ago and it was GOEX, and I'm reasonably sure it was 4 or 5 FA.

Jim.
:thumbsup:

 

[Stumpkiller]

An additional step of glazing is optional, but is used commercially in sporting powders. The powder is tumbled with a small amount of graphite to polish and glaze it. Such powders are denoted by the "g" type extension.

Unglazed powders (so called blasting powders) are denoted with the "A" extension, but may be tumbled without graphite to polish them slightly.

The GOEX specifications are based on 3% held and 12% pass for each mesh size range.

Sporting Powders:

-0.5+4 mesh Whaling
-6+12 mesh Cannon/Life Saving
-10+20 mesh Saluting
-12+15 mesh Fg
-16+30 mesh FFg
-20+50 mesh FFFg
-40+100 mesh FFFFg

Blasting Powders:

-0.3+5 mesh FA
-4+12 mesh 2FA
-10+16 mesh 3FA
-12+20 mesh 4FA
-20+50 mesh 5FA
-30+50 mesh 6FA
-40+100 mesh 7FA

Meal Powders:

-40 mesh Meal D
-100 mesh Meal F
-140 mesh Meal XF

Comments:
BP is generally specified as 75:15:10 to make the parts into percentages.

 

[jim gray]

That's good info, Stumpkiller. I have mesh sizes listed somewhere for the most common sporting granulations 1Fg-4Fg, but didn't have a clue about the other stuff.

When did manufacturers start glazing powder? Since graphite is pure carbon and is added to the already finished product, how much does this alter the 75:15:10 formula?

 

[nit wit]

Good shooting, When I come in second place there is usually only two of us shooting.
NIT WIT :master:

 

[horkeye]

Good shooting, When I come in second place there is usually only two of us shooting.NIT WIT :master:

Ray,

That's good, but didn't I mention that I came FIRST in the Cowboy/Single Action event that very same day? ONE reason was that I was the only competitor!

Beat that :blah:

Jim.
:thumbsup: