What is your favorite BP substitute?

[jaw69]

Ok I give up... My favorite Sub powder is Pryodex But I dont use it Because it is much more corrisive than Black powder . :surrender:

 

[David W.]

I would suggest Pyrodex over the other subs. I understand it can be used in flintlocks now. Wasn't that way when it was first introduced.

 

[Zonie]

I have never seen Hodgdon say that Pyrodex can be used in a Flintlock without adding that a starter charge of real black powder (5 grains) must be poured down the barrel before the Pyrodex can be added.

To quote Hodgdon:

"Flintlock: To insure proper ignition in flintlock systems, 5 grains of FFFFG priming powder should be placed into the bore prior to loading the main charge of Triple Seven or Pyrodex...."

The entire Hodgdon page is here: http://www.hodgdon.com/loading.html

 

[pchwcf50110]

i shot subs (Pyrodex) from '87-'98 because it was easy to get and everything i ever read said how superior it was to the real stuff. I agree with Idaho Ron and others about Pyrodex 'P' if having to use a sub. i found it much more consistant in accuracy, velocity, ease of ignition, and fouling build up than 'RS' or Select. never had good luck with the asorbic acid based subs as the humidity in the midwest makes it one big glob.

 

[Zonie]

Much as been said of Potassium Perchlorate and its alleged use in Pyrodex so I did some digging on the web.

It turns out that Potassium Perchlorate is one of several oxidizers used in the explosives industry.

I found no direct link with Potassium Perchlorate and thyroid problems except that it was once used to treat some thyroid problems. That use has been discontinued because of some persons reaction to it.

Aluminum Perchlorate has been linked to blocking Iodine absorption but it should be noted that this happens when you eat it.

Aluminum Perchlorate by the way is the oxidizer used in the Space Shuttle Solid Boosters.
When used in this application it turns into Aluminum Chloride, one of the main ingredients in your under arm anti-perspiration products.

I have no idea what Potassium Perchlorate turns into when ignited in a black powder gun shooting Pyrodex, assuming that it is even one of the ingredients that go into making Pyrodex.

It should be noted that Potassium Perchlorate has not been subjected to California's dangerous chemical ratings although they did study it.

Anyway, to be on the safe side, if you own or shoot any Pyrodex DO NOT EAT IT. You may be one of the people who has a bad reaction to it.

 

[jaw69]

It turns in to perchloric acid and clorides very strong oxiders among other salts very strong oxiders in the presence of water it is also hydroscopic so it is always in the presence of water it take it out of the air the higher the humidity the faster it is ( Perchloric acid is also dangerously corrosive and readily forms explosive mixtures) from Wikipedia

 

[Dphar]

It turns in to perchloric acid and clorides very strong oxiders among other salts very strong oxiders in the presence of water it is also hydroscopic so it is always in the presence of water it take it out of the air the higher the humidity the faster it is ( Perchloric acid is also dangerously corrosive and readily forms explosive mixtures) from Wikipedia

I don't think it forms perchloric acid. But if you have a research paper that says so I would be glad to read it.
Some believe BP forms sulfuric acid (from the sulfur) but this is very far from from the truth.

There is a LOT of material on both BP fouling and the various substitutes on the WWW that is as best guesswork, at worst complete silliness.

Dan

 

[mykeal]

Pyrodex is hydroscopic.

I am unable to find a definition of the term 'hydroscopic'. I thought perhaps it was just a typographical error for the term 'hygroscopic', but you've used it several times so it must be on purpose. What is the definition, please?

 

[jaw69]

It is a Misspelling for Hygroscopic :redface: Thank you for pointing that out.
From Wikipedia Hygroscopy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hygroscopy