What’s your favorite BP substitute.

[centershot]

I started shooting muzzle loaders in 1977. In that time I've used them all and have definite opinions about them. I currently use black powder and I will continue to do so until I can't get it anymore. I'm currently working off a can of DuPont 2F from the 60's. Be cause it still burns like it was brad new, and you can't say that about the subs!

Triple 7 is the only sub I will ever consider using again. It works well, cleans up fine, and has a longer shelf life once opened than the others.

Pyrodex should only be used to start bonfires. If you have a can of it, give it to someone you don't like.

The rest - can not be trusted if they've been open for any significant length of time. I've had more misfire and hangfires with these so-called propellants than I ever had with black or T7. When they cost me a number of deer, I switched back to 2F balck powder and left the ignition problems behind me.

 

[dave951]

Pyrodex should only be used to start bonfires. If you have a can of it, give it to someone you don't like.

I was told by a chemist friend that one of the byproducts in Pyrodex smoke is cyanide gas. It's small enough to not harm people but can do a number on rodents so I decided to get rid of my Pyrodex doing a pogrom against the yard moles. Put Pyrodex in each hole with fuse and let the fun begin. I can say this, no more moles for the last year. I can live with a crater or two. The neighbor was on his porch drinking beer hollering "far in tha hole" as each one went off. Yeah, we had a little too much fun with that......

 

[TreeMan]

I’m stocked up with about 20lbs of Goex but I’ve been looking locally for some T7 to try out. I’ve traveled to three states in the last two weeks and hit two different bass pros, a couple Walmart’s and half a dozen mom and pop gun stores. I haven’t ran across a pound of anything. That includes blackpowder or any sub. I saw that cabelas has T7 and they want almost $30 a pound + shipping. You can buy a couple pounds real black + shipping and hazmat cheaper than you can buy two pounds T7 or Pyrodex.

 

[sdhunter]

You can buy a couple pounds real black + shipping and hazmat cheaper than you can buy two pounds T7 or Pyrodex

yes you are correct, I paid $29.99 for the pound of triple 7 ffg I bought at runnings the other day. But if It shoots reliably, cleans up good, gets a little bit more velocity, and I can pick up a pound or two every now and then on my 5 min drive from work to home, imagine how joyous and simple life would be.

 

[sussexmuzllodr]

What works for you is fine. What works for me is fine, other than that I can care less.......

 

[Omahkapi'si]

T7 is marketed as a "livelier" powder than other subs, might be true I can ring the steel spinner at 100 yds with only 50 grains of T7. Good way to conserve powder maybe.

 

[Ballshooter]

My favorite BP substitute is my homemade black powder.

 

[Johnny Tremain]

In the last 30 years and two rifles, I have used only Goex.
Both rifles were flinters, and the first one did not like any subs, so I never tired anything else.

 

[cebusey]

You're right I do depend on finding it at a store..... Whatever you may think not all of us can just dump $150 dollars on powder. I need things like food and gas and often I can't afford a pound even when I find it. Hoping things will start getting better now that my son is in school and the wife's back to work. But saying we should just "man up" is fairly insulting..... I'm manning up Everytime I buy kids clothes or medicine or any number of other things my family requires.... Spending a large sum of money on powder is selfish...... So pardon me while I continue to "man up" at work for at least 6 more hours so my family can have the essentials......

I'd like to add that in addition to the cost of a large quantity - some of us live in states that strictly control the amount of powder (any type) and even add into the 5 lb limit the weight of caps and primers so even ordering in bulk to split up amongst other shooters can ger your keister tossed in jail.

 

[Siringo]

Could possibly be that they were pellets, more than the fact that they were Pyrodex. Since the pellets are not in a sealed container they have a short shelf life. I never understood the logic of using pellets

Marketing!

 

[Danny Ross]

I will make a suggestion if you are have problems with ignition of the substitute you are shooting, get a nipple like the Hot Shot (or one similar) nipple in the threading for your rifle. They put more spark through the flash channel using #11 caps. They were developed because of difficult ignition with Pyrodex using a standard Black Powder nipple. The substitutes have a higher ignition temp compared to Black Powder. Track of the Wolf carries them. DANNY