Pyrodex vs Goex

[Rustystick]

Hogdon says Pyrodex P is intended to be a direct replacement for FFFg Black powder when measured volumetrically using a black powder measure using about 15% less than Goex.Because I have the Pyrodex already, anyone have a load for a 42" .45 ball? Is it "snappy" like Triple 7?
Thanks

 

[Rifleman1776]

I don't know what you mean by "snappy".
But using equal volumes of real bp and Pyrodex will produce almost identical results.
However, only your own testing will show you what kind of results you can expect in your rifle.
But, really, why bother with the fake stuff? Use real bp and join the traditional ml crowd.

Edit: BTW, if you do choose to use Pyrodex, do not expect ignition with your flintlock unless you go through additional gynmastics.

 

[paulvallandigham]

Pyrodex P is made, and intended to be used for Percussion rifles, ONLY. It has a much higher flash point( the temperature at which it ignites) than does Black Powder, and simply is more difficult, if not impossible to ignite using FLINTLOCK ignition. If it ignites, ignition is delays, and you have to deal with "hangfires".

To get adequate ignition with flintlocks, you have to use real Black Powder in the flash pan, and a "Starter charge" of black powder in the barrel- sufficient powder to reach the vent, or Touch hole. The company used to recommend using at least 10 grains of Black powder, poured down the barrel first- not mixed-- and then your chosen volume of Pyrodex P, having subtracted the amount of the starter load from that total amount of powder. I don't know what their website now recommends, or if it continues to be advised in their literature.

Why bother? You have to buy real Black powder to get Pyrodex ( P or RS) powders to work in flintlocks, so why not just stick to Black Powder for the entire load? :hmm: :surrender: :hatsoff:

 

[Rustystick]

Thank you gentlemen for the insight.

 

[Kentuckywindage]

Pyrodex P is an excellent powder. If you're shooting it in a percussion lock rifle then you are good to go.

 

[BrownBear]

...using a black powder measure using about 15% less than Goex.

The 15% reduction is true for Triple Seven, but with Pyrodex P its a direct measure-for-measure equivalent of Goex 3f, just as Pyrodex RS and Select are direct measure-for-measure equivalents of Goex 2f.