Pyrodex vs Real BP

[hobowonkanobe]

I concur. Last time at the range, I had brought both as I had both a caplock and a flinter. Figged the 777 wld be "good nuff" for the Howdah....
Well, kinda. It DID work in the technical sense, but of the 4 shots fired with the 777, 3 of them I had to "retouch"; unscrew the nipple, pour a wee touch of frsh powder in there, and screw it back together, re cap it and it wld go off.
well, frankly, I got annoyed. So, outa wanting to, Oh I dunno, have some fun? I swapped out for the real stuff; clean fire every time and like you noted, more power. That 777 was kinda lazy in respoinse. The Goex 2FF? Wow! Almost wasn't holding it with enough grip that first shot. :shocked2: almost got away from me cuz I wasnt expecting THAT much of a difference.30 grain loads by the by.

 

[AirborneFO]

Lots of good info guys. I have never used real bp but I would like to give it a try now just to see. :hmm: I need to get some anyway before my new flintlock arrives, I don't want to be crucified by the ghost if bp past. :grin:

 

[eaglesnester]

Pyrodex is perclorate base propelent and ls hydroscropec in nature it binds with the bore steel and is very corrosive. Even if you clean immediately after shooting. Pyrodex is bad news for your bore.

 

[jdkerstetter]

Does wonders for your yard though! :haha: Enjoy, J.D.

 

[Little Wattsy]

Pyrodex is perclorate base propelent and ls hydroscropec in nature it binds with the bore steel and is very corrosive. Even if you clean immediately after shooting. Pyrodex is bad news for your bore.

I smell just a pinch of :bull: here....
I shoot Pyrodex almost exclusively and in 7 years have had no issues.. ZERO, Zilch, Nadda. No rust on guns cleaned same day. Great accuracy. and stores nicely too.
Use what you will but lets keep it real :wink:

 

[zimmerstutzen]

The reality is that it is twice as corrosiv as black powder. Yes a thorough break down cleaning within an hour with an extraordinary extra scrubbing will solve the problem.

 

[Little Wattsy]

The reality is that it is twice as corrosiv as black powder. Yes a thorough break down cleaning within an hour with an extraordinary extra scrubbing will solve the problem.

Sniff, sniff.... smell that? :bull:
:haha: :haha:

As one that KNOWS the differance ill just sit here and smile.

 

[jdkerstetter]

As one that KNOWS the differance ill just sit here and smile.

If only you could. :shake: I'm glad you are happy with Pyrodex but the facts are the facts....it's not :bull: ....it's science.

I hope you never do have a problem and provided you adhere to your cleaning regimine you may not....but others, who are not as fastidious as you, will eventually.

The fact is that the damage is often not apparent and only found through disassembly and that's why it is wise to steer clear of used muzzleloaders of unknown history.

Enjoy, J.D.

 

[Kentuckywindage]

14 years later and our hawken and other guns bores are still pristine after shooting that oh so nasty pyrodex.

Extra cleaning? Yes i agree, you do have to take drastic steps when cleaning pyrodex.

Bucket of hot soapy water
A good supply of patches
Pump the hot soapy water through the bore to flush it out clean.
Remove from bucket
Spray Gun Scrubber down the bore to remove excess water in bolster.
Dry bore
Oil.
Reassembly

:stir:

 

[Little Wattsy]

14 years later and our hawken and other guns bores are still pristine after shooting that oh so nasty pyrodex.

Extra cleaning? Yes i agree, you do have to take drastic steps when cleaning pyrodex.

Bucket of hot soapy water
A good supply of patches
Pump the hot soapy water through the bore to flush it out clean.
Remove from bucket
Spray Gun Scrubber down the bore to remove excess water in bolster.
Dry bore
Oil.
Reassembly

:stir:

BINGO! :thumbsup:

 

[larry wv]

I don't shoot much percussion. But when I do I use Pyrodex to save my real black powder.( Black powder only for hunting) I have no problems with extra rust or anything with Pyrodex. Larry

 

[zimmerstutzen]

Shooting pyrodex works for many. Cleaning does require extra work that holy black does not.

Anyone who says it is not more corrosive than black, simply has never tested it to see. Any person can do a litmus test and verify the truth.

 

[Kentuckywindage]

left mine fouled for weeks with no problems.

I did not know we were supposed to do tests on how long you can leave a bore fouled before ya turn into bubba and say... Ah fergot to clean muh gun, now its rusted!! That that pyro-dux is junk!

 

[tenngun]

Every one has thrown in with the same response..ie If you use your gun and powder as intended and you are resposible what works for you works for you.I like bp and flint,flint grows wild here in the ozarks but bp is getting hrder to find.I cary a 2oz flask to prime a load : with using 20 grains down the barrel then top off with the volume for the rest.Dans right you got to clean well and deep because pryodex wants to kill your gun even more then black powder.Rifleman is right that old guns deserve the right powder.Give me bp any day of the week;but,sometimes you have to take what you can get :surrender:

 

personally i prefer triple 7, although i also use pyrodex because it is much easier to get here, and about 7-10 bucks less per pound.


as for corrosion and rust, i do the hot soapy bucket of water drill after every outing, the only minor rusting i have in the bore was the day i put off cleaning it... so i can't blame the propellant for my stupidity.

bob g