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What BP substitutes DO work in flintlocks
- Thread starter KHickam
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jamesthomas
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No, you don't have to be at home for U.P.S. to deliever it. Last 10lbs I got I found it on my front porch when I got home from work. Just leave a note if you want.
If you live close to the UPS depot, the package can be held for pickup by you. I have done this with several rifles but never with BP. Call first and speak with a supervisor or go in person. Be polite and if their first response is no, ask if there is any way it can be done.
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UPS will deliver without anyone at home. I have come home to find a full case on my porch. If the sender requires a signature, UPS will be willing to hold the package at their depot for pick up - ours is 25 miles away but is open 24 hours.
scott taylor
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KHickam- I must apologise for my post. It seems the recent and repeticious flux of "where do I get powder" and "where do I get lead" posts caused me to vent. Unfortunatly on you. You don't know how many times I have deleted stuff before I posted. This one slipped. I will keep my mouth shut until I have something worthwhile to contribute.
I have got powder from Coonies in years past also if you are ever in Austin, McBrides still has powder sometimes.
Scott
I have got powder from Coonies in years past also if you are ever in Austin, McBrides still has powder sometimes.
Scott
Tumblernotch
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KHickam said:
Just for giggles I loaded a blank Pyrodex load in my flintlock. I didn't want to pull a ball just for an experiment. I used ffffg BP for priming. It did go off first pull of the trigger. I didn't try anymore since I had better things to do. But it will work in a flinter. I just don't know how reliable it is.
I know.
By mistake, I loaded and fired my flintlock with Pyrodex several times before I figured out what the problem was. I was using 3Fg powder to prime the pan.
The pan would flash with each fall of the flint but the Pyrodex would only fire about 1/3 of the time.
It was unpredictable and while it might fire on the first prime, it sometimes took 4 or 5 pan primings to get it to fire.
After 5 or so shots** I figured out what the problem was and did the rest of my flintlock shooting that day using 3Fg powder to load and prime with. That solved the problem with the gun firing every time.
** This was a few years ago and I didn't keep written records of this.
By mistake, I loaded and fired my flintlock with Pyrodex several times before I figured out what the problem was. I was using 3Fg powder to prime the pan.
The pan would flash with each fall of the flint but the Pyrodex would only fire about 1/3 of the time.
It was unpredictable and while it might fire on the first prime, it sometimes took 4 or 5 pan primings to get it to fire.
After 5 or so shots** I figured out what the problem was and did the rest of my flintlock shooting that day using 3Fg powder to load and prime with. That solved the problem with the gun firing every time.
** This was a few years ago and I didn't keep written records of this.
Tumblernotch
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I had just gotten home from a shoot at our club. A friend had given me a pound of pyrodex (he gave away nearly a case of the stuff) and before I cleaned my rifle I decided to try a shot. The can is still sitting in a cabinet. Guess I could go out and use it up plinking with my RM before it turns bad. Or I could load some shotshells with it and do some squirrel hunting. :hmm:
Well, you all were wrong - FEDEX will not leave the package by the door - even after I signed one of their notices saying to do that - because the shipper requires an adult signature - and I can't pick it up at the Fedex store because it contains hazardous material - so far I am screwed - they tried delivery twice - and I was working dogs both times so there you have it
just for your information in case it comes up again
just for your information in case it comes up again
KHickam, I second the suggestion of visiting Coonies on your way to or from Farmington. Just be sure to call at least a day prior to your arrival so they can have your powder at the office. They told me they must keep it offsite due to city regulations. They bring the powder to the office on the day you tell them you will pick it up.
They are real nice folks, too. When I was there a few years ago I told them of my desire to visit ever since I was a kid and they were selling powder at $4.00 or so a pound. Ol' Coonie himself showed me through his museum of artifacts used in oil country and mining exploration. Lots of neat stuff. You'll leave with your powder in hand, a smile on your face, and almost feel like you are a part of their family. :grin:
Hope you can get things sorted out very soon.
They are real nice folks, too. When I was there a few years ago I told them of my desire to visit ever since I was a kid and they were selling powder at $4.00 or so a pound. Ol' Coonie himself showed me through his museum of artifacts used in oil country and mining exploration. Lots of neat stuff. You'll leave with your powder in hand, a smile on your face, and almost feel like you are a part of their family. :grin:
Hope you can get things sorted out very soon.
jamesthomas
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I think (We) have Never said anything about FED-EX. We have our powder delievered by U.P.S. thats who Powder Inc. uses. A whole different company.
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The problem may lie with your supplier. Before ordering, ask the seller if they require a signature and if they use UPS. If the seller wants a signature, then the delivery service has to get it. UPS for their part does not require a signature. If one seller wants a signature, then order from another who does not & who is ready to ship by UPS.
Nevermind
Robert Egler
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KHickam said:
You're right, FedEx won't just leave the package, because they need an adult signature.
Nonetheless, FedEx HAS just left a package of powder, and other things marked 'adult signature required', on my porch without any signature for anything when I wasn't home. More than once. Didn't even leave them a note, come home from work and there it is. In one case my son was even home and could have signed, they just never rang the doorbell, just left the package.
KHickam said:
You may want to check the attitude you are displaying. There are a lot of people on here who are trying hard to help you out. The tone of your last response means I am not one of them. On top of which Fedex isn't UPS.
Well, I stayed home from work and was able to get my powder.
I use Graf's when I buy my supplies but have heard good things about Coonie's too -
Just got to work on loads now with this new powder I got - had been using Goex - now using Graf's (Schutzen)
Dean2 - I will not be able to sleep at night because you think I have an attitude :stir:
I use Graf's when I buy my supplies but have heard good things about Coonie's too -
Just got to work on loads now with this new powder I got - had been using Goex - now using Graf's (Schutzen)
Dean2 - I will not be able to sleep at night because you think I have an attitude :stir:
I sure hope I don't have to send anyone to their rooms without any dessert.
gunsports
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Sorry to drag you guys back to the subject. You CAN use substitutes in flint lock guns. But, with some modification.
The problem with substitutes lies in their higher ignition temp. - that's why they are classified as a propellant, not an explosive. Black powder has a far lower ignition temp. and this is why, even if you use black as a prime with subs's; you contimue to get problems, like flash in the pan and mis and hang fires.
Mix a little fine black with some ground (or 'P' grade) subst. and use this as a prime. The black ignites the fine subst. in the pan, which in turn ignites the main (subst.) charge. DO NOT increase the vent; it is not necessary. But, the prime must rest against the vent to create a continous burn chain. Subst. does not ignite via radiant het, but by direct flame contact.
For a time, we could get no black in South Africa and could only get a locally produced subst. We were forced to either conserve the little black we had, or use black from fire crackers as prime.
There is however, a slight ignition delay of about 1/35th of a second when using subst's.
The problem with substitutes lies in their higher ignition temp. - that's why they are classified as a propellant, not an explosive. Black powder has a far lower ignition temp. and this is why, even if you use black as a prime with subs's; you contimue to get problems, like flash in the pan and mis and hang fires.
Mix a little fine black with some ground (or 'P' grade) subst. and use this as a prime. The black ignites the fine subst. in the pan, which in turn ignites the main (subst.) charge. DO NOT increase the vent; it is not necessary. But, the prime must rest against the vent to create a continous burn chain. Subst. does not ignite via radiant het, but by direct flame contact.
For a time, we could get no black in South Africa and could only get a locally produced subst. We were forced to either conserve the little black we had, or use black from fire crackers as prime.
There is however, a slight ignition delay of about 1/35th of a second when using subst's.
