GOEX Storage Question

[tenngun]

Swabbing between shots cost no real time. I do it with just a damp patch. I’ve heard people brag that they could load twenty times with out swabbing. That’s ok. I’ve played at speed shooting more then once. Normally shooting is an afternoons entertainment for me. Maybe twenty shots, cleaning when I’m done. A pipe and the sweet foamy kiss of malted barley in the tankard while looking at my targets.

 

[Tanglefoot]

As for storage and usability, black powder will be useful indefinitely as long as it's protected from moisture. Contrary to at least one "old wives tale" it doesn't degrade over time if kept dry. As for loading from a flask or a powder horn I offer this bit of information: Until sometime during WWII, the standard bursting charge for a U.S. Fragmentation Hand Grenade was 500 grains of black powder - 2Fg, I believe. One pound of powder contains 7010 grains, or slightly more than the amount needed for 14 of those old pineapple frags. My old buffalo horn carries a full pound of 2F but most flasks will only hold half that or less. I decided early on that I didn't really want to take even a remote chance of having the equivalent of 14 grenades go off in my hand or next to my face, so I always use a measure. Always. Maybe if I were about to be struck by an attacking hostile with a war hatchet I'd take that chance? I dunno. (I try to avoid that situation too.) In any case, I suggest you think about that information, check it out if you like, and then make up your own mind. One request though --- If you decide to load from you horn or flask anyway, please don't do it near me?

 

[Carbon 6]

Swabbing between shots cost no real time. I do it with just a damp patch. I’ve heard people brag that they could load twenty times with out swabbing.

I get any lost time from swabbing back with interest when it's cleaning time.

 

[Para1911A1]

yes, I agree, no reason to risk it during casual shooting.

 

[Crow-Feather]

I have a 20 gr spout. do I still need to pour in to the measure, the the gun. Some say not to pour from the flask to the firearm in case there are any glowing embers. Won't the valve stop the flask from exploding?? i thought that was the whole point of using a flask with a sized spout?

Odds are that it will never happen, (your flask turning into a hand grenade) but you are betting your right hand and maybe your vision that it doesn't.

 

[Crow-Feather]

Swabbing after every shot has other benefits too, besides eliminating the ember hazard potential.
It helps maintain accuracy, and ease of loading and makes final cleanup much, much easier.

Some people believe in swabbing, and it does work. I myself use moose milk for a lube for my patches and find that I can shoot an entire match without the need to swab a barrel. When using slugs, I do swab with moose milk tween shots. To each their own, and whatever works for you.

 

[tenngun]

As for storage and usability, black powder will be useful indefinitely as long as it's protected from moisture. Contrary to at least one "old wives tale" it doesn't degrade over time if kept dry. As for loading from a flask or a powder horn I offer this bit of information: Until sometime during WWII, the standard bursting charge for a U.S. Fragmentation Hand Grenade was 500 grains of black powder - 2Fg, I believe. One pound of powder contains 7010 grains, or slightly more than the amount needed for 14 of those old pineapple frags. My old buffalo horn carries a full pound of 2F but most flasks will only hold half that or less. I decided early on that I didn't really want to take even a remote chance of having the equivalent of 14 grenades go off in my hand or next to my face, so I always use a measure. Always. Maybe if I were about to be struck by an attacking hostile with a war hatchet I'd take that chance? I dunno. (I try to avoid that situation too.) In any case, I suggest you think about that information, check it out if you like, and then make up your own mind. One request though --- If you decide to load from you horn or flask anyway, please don't do it near me?

You do have that same bomb on your hip via horn or flask. And care must always be taken.
Talking about loading a long single shot safely vs a revolver. From a container to a long gun that you’ve just shot is not the same as a revolver.
Please note I load my revolvers with a measure, but it’s habit not necessary. Sometimes our safety concerns are built in habit not reality. I’ve loaded with cartridges, but don’t prime first. Have done it, won’t now.

 

[sawyer04]

I would not recommend it, but just yesterday I shot powder from a horn that has had the powder in for 10 years, worked flawlessly. I have had it my powder magazine, and had forgot it was charged with powder.

 

[wb78963]

At this time some Du Pont FFFg is being used in my guns both revolver and rifle. According to the lot number is dates from 1970 and has been stored indoors in a dry closet.
Real Black Gun Powder has no shelf life, unlike the faux so called substitutes.
I may be a Luddite, but calling that stuff a substitute for real Gun Powder is like calling North Carolina Fear River bottom moonshine a substitute for Glenfiddich Single Malt Scotch Whiskey.
IMHO
Bunk

 

[ord sgt]

I blow down the barrel and swab after every shot, so the ember situation is eliminated.

You put your mouth over the muzzle of the barrel? Very unsafe practice. Swabbing after every shot is good thing and that should eliminate any burning embers, therefore, no need to blow down the barrel.

 

[William O.]

Always use a measure, it only takes one burning ember or spark to send the rest into the atmosphere at very high temperatures and velocity.
https://traditionalblackpowderhunting.com/2013/04/the-powder-horn-blew-up/

 

[Eterry]

During the uncivil war almost every soldier used a premeasured powder charge and a projectile wrapped in a paper cartridge. They did not use flasks or horns. That too - was as safe as what we do today!

Griz, there are many reports of soldiers having the powder "cook off" in battle. One I recall was at Gettysburg and where a union soldier talked of picking up several fallen rifles because his was so hot the powder flashed.
So it happened back then, in combat, and they just dealt with it.

 

[SDSmlf]

You put your mouth over the muzzle of the barrel? Very unsafe practice. Swabbing after every shot is good thing and that should eliminate any burning embers, therefore, no need to blow down the barrel.

Very controversial hot button topic here. I was actual taught to blow down the barrel when I was in Scouts in the early 1970s. It’s the way it was done. Few ranges or matches allow practice today.

 

[Griz44Mag]

Griz, there are many reports of soldiers having the powder "cook off" in battle. One I recall was at Gettysburg and where a union soldier talked of picking up several fallen rifles because his was so hot the powder flashed.
So it happened back then, in combat, and they just dealt with it.

I did read one story - don't remember where - about a soldiers cartridge box catching an ember or a spark of battle and starting a chain burn off of the cartridges in the pack. That would be one hot potato!

 

[ord sgt]

I have experienced a "cook off" during speed loading. Very curious experience, see flames going between my fingers as I poured a premeasured charge of FFFg into the barrel. First degree burns as a result. Never did find the plastic tube that contained the powder charge.
I witnessed another "cook off" during a timed competition. Experienced shooter, so it wasn't a rookie mistake. He statyed on the firing line and finished the event before dealing with the burn.