Question about duplex loads

[Texas Hunter]

Quick question for some folks who may have done this before. In light of the Goex plant closure, I may start using a duplex load with my remaining BP along with some type of substitute that I might be able to more readily acquire. I assume that normally one would load a base of BP and the sub over the top. Does anyone have experience with just mixing the two in a particular ratio? How did it work out?

Thanks

 

[Grimord]

Usually, 10-15 grains of real black is dropped down the bore first and the remainder of the charge is a substitute powder of some sort. I tried it a few times and it seems to work, but it adds another step to the loading procedure, and you have to carry both powders.

 

[tenngun]

As above 15 grains then charge of fake less that 15. Works in .62 and .45

 

[Tasbay]

I would guesstimate about 5 grains of BP under the substitute. I used to put about the same amount of BP down the barrel as I used in the flash pan when I started making my own BP and hadn`t quite sorted out the best charcoal at the time and its only as an igniter ( anything as the igniter FF FFF FFFF) . Now I only use Homemade in the barrel and still use Goex FFF or FFFF in the pan.

 

[Sparkitoff]

The Pyrodex RS bottle says on it to use a 5 grain starter charge of real black powder ( in a flintlock) and reduce the total charge by those 5 grains. I’d stick to that for all applications.

 

[Ohio Rusty]

I'm going to start using duplex loads in my 28 gauge smoothbore. 40 grains of real 2F BP and 30 grains of Pyrodex Select on top of the BP for round ball. For hunting shot loads, I'm going to try the same load for one ounce of shot. That should work the same as a full load of BP. That will extend my BP stock for a long time if no more becomes available for a long time. I have always had excellent results with Pyrodex so I feel confident with that duplex load in my flinter as the BP will ignite the Pyrodex just fine.
Ohio Rusty ><>