Shockley Gold Black powder substitute

[rfcbuf]

Has anyone tried a black powder substitute called Shockley Gold? A local gun shop here has stated that it can be used in a flintlock without a black powder booster in the charge. It was stated that the Shockley Gold powder charge would require black powder in the flash pan as a primer.

Gun shops in Western New York don't sell black powder due to storage regulations so if Shockley Gold works I would use it.

 

[rmonday2]

Sounds like a good alternative if you dont have access to BP.

A mans got-a-do sum'n to keep on mak'n smoke,I'd say! :winking:

:hmm: But what do you intend to use as a primer if you don't have BP,Just curious?

 

[LRB]

You can order BP yourself, and at a good savings. There are a number of sites you can buy it from, and some will sell you as little as five pounds at a time.

 

[Larry Pletcher]

My experience with BP substitutes in a flint gun have not been up to par with BP. I have no experience with this particular one, but my gut says remain skeptical. My $.02.

Regards,
Pletch

 

[biliff]

Just for giggles I put a small pile (about 3 grains) of 4F Goex next to a slightly larger pile (about 15 grains)of 3F APP (the standard/cheaper version of the Gold) and put a match to the GOEX. Both piles flashed simultaeneously. At least I couldn't see any time lag between them going off. Based on this admittedly limitted test I'd say it might just work.
I'm not going to try it, though, as I'm one of the lucky ones who has a reasonably close source of supply for the real stuff.

 

[tom hargrove]

imo-if you aint gun-a--shoot real black powder ,might as well have an in-line :bull: :bull: :rotf: :rotf: :thumbsup:

 

[Landngroove]

If you must, then try it. I think you will be disappointed. All of the black powder subs have a higher flash point, several hundred degrees, than real black powder. That is why you will find the subs at many places that don't sell black powder. Less regulations, less insurance restrictions. There is no substitute for real black powder, especially in a flintlock. You will not get the performance.

 

[Old Ironsights]

Has anyone tried a black powder substitute called Shockley Gold? A local gun shop here has stated that it can be used in a flintlock without a black powder booster in the charge. It was stated that the Shockley Gold powder charge would require black powder in the flash pan as a primer.

Gun shops in Western New York don't sell black powder due to storage regulations so if Shockley Gold works I would use it.

Weeeellll....

All Subs work in a Flinter with a BP boosted load.

APP/Shockey will "work" in the pan... if you don't mind a ssssshhhh-boom ignition. No way to speed it up. It is also horridly inconsistant velocity widse between eq. volume loads and is, if anything, more hydrophilic than BP.

OTOH, I find the stuff terribly useful for testing locks because if a lock will set it off it will set off BP even faster, and I can test the lock in the shop without smelling the place up.

If you have to use BP anyway, there is no advantage to buying it - because if you can get BP, well, you don't need the Sub.

 

[paulvallandigham]

Well said. I still would rather step outside the back door to flash some prime than to buy the subs, or fool around with duplex loadings. The chronograph does not speak well of such loads, as you note. More important, your comment that if you can get BP for the priming or booster charge, why do you need the subs, anyway? Some of the subs have produced some good groups out of percussion guns, and BP cartridge guns. They have not proven their usefulness in Flintlocks, at all.

Can you see this country outlawing Flintlocks? Right! Just what was the "assault rifle" those founding fathers used to gain our freedom?

I think even the Supreme Court might balk at that interpretation of the second amendment. After all it does talk about preserving the right to keep and bear something!