What Powder?

[Frank44]

I have been away from black powder guns for a long time. I just bought a Ruger Old Army with adj sights, a Lyman perc .50 Deer Stalker. with rear peep sight and front fire sight, :redface: (I hunt in the dark raney western Wash.), and a Traditions .50 cal flint Trapper. In the old days I used FFF black powder for everything. The easy cleaning substitutes sound like a godsend. What type, brands, etc.
Frank

 

[jtmattison]

In the old days I used FFF black powder for everything. The easy cleaning substitutes sound like a godsend. What type, brands, etc.
Frank

Substitutes do not clean up any easier than real BP. 3f BP will clean up just as easy, maybe easier, and give you much better performance.

HD

 

[BrownBear]

You'll get a lot more peace and quiet from the run of the mill folks around here if you don't use substitutes. Just part of the culture.

But to clear up any misconceptions about cleaning, I agree. The easier cleaning is pure marketing hype from the sub makers, and you have to clean your guns with both.

If you can't save yourself from sin by locating real black powder or if it's too much trouble, Pyrodex P works very well in revolvers, and it will work great in your rifle. You still gotta clean your guns after each shoot though, just like in your old days with black.

 

[jdstrang]

... The easy cleaning substitutes sound like a godsend...

Substitutes do not clean up any easier than real BP. 3f BP will clean up just as easy, maybe easier, and give you much better performance.

HD

Remember, God sent plague and pestilence, too! :nono:

Many folks report ignition problems with the "modern" replacement powders, especially with rocklocks. :cursing:

The substitutes seem to work best in the types of rifles Whose Name Shall Not Be Mentioned Here, the kind that use modern primers for ignition and come packaged in plastic at department stores. :shake:

For traditional guns, my heartfelt advice is, stick with what brung 'em to the dance.

 

[Walks with fire]

Goex 3f is good powder and can be used in most everything with the proper charge levels. Swiss powder will meet or exceed the velocity of most of the subs and probably have a better SD. Don't know for sure because I shoot flinters and real black and don't want or need anything else.

 

[Frank44]

Come to think of it I used FFF in my cap lock Lyman Great Plains .54 with no problems, except the first time I cleand it in the bath tub as recomended it nearly caused a devorce. One of the members in our club put me on to a little bottle of TC #13 with a plastic tube to the nippel. Thats all I used for 2 years shooting once a month. :v Can I prime the flinter with FFF or do I need to buy som FFFF?
Thanks for all Your help. :thumbsup:
Frank

 

[Little Wattsy]

Not far from ya in Beaverton, Or. BP as a sport isnt as big here as in other places; The ONLY muzzleloader speciality store, "The Powder Horn" in Hillsboro, that is anywhere near me suggested Pyrodex RS....Hard to find real BP and to internet order it coast a butt load for the extra fee.
Being a purist is great but being practicle counts too. :wink:

 

[Rebel]

Yes you can prime with 3f also.

 

[paulvallandigham]

Come to think of it I used FFF in my cap lock Lyman Great Plains .54 with no problems, except the first time I cleand it in the bath tub as recomended it nearly caused a devorce. One of the members in our club put me on to a little bottle of TC #13 with a plastic tube to the nippel. Thats all I used for 2 years shooting once a month. :v Can I prime the flinter with FFF or do I need to buy som FFFF?
Thanks for all Your help. :thumbsup:
Frank

Go ahead and and use the FFFg to prime. There is a micromillisecond of time difference in the ignition speed, but you can't hear it with a human ear. You need to use ONLY Black powder in that Flintlock. The pistol can use the subs, if you must. Order powder from Powder Inc, or Graf % sons, ( Go to the top of the index page and look to Member resources. Then go to " Links" which will take you to the suppliers of various components. You can find these powder distributors there. They will pay the shipping if you order at least 5 lbs. There is a $20.00 Haz Mat fee charged Per Shipment, so the more powder you order, the cheaper that cost is per pound. Get some friends together to put together a powder order and obtain a case supply or two. There are 25 lbs. to the case, and they can ship to you 2 cases at a time, legally. That will take care of a lot of shooters, if they pool their money and combine an order.

 

[evan9201]

buy just regular old black powder my friend, it smells good when fired, its cheap and it cleans up easy.

 

[sidelock]

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: YES YES YES :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

 

[Grenadier1758]

Yep, the substitutes may be less fouling, but they are every bit as corrosive as black powder. You have to clean as rigorously after shooting the substitutes. Then be sure to use a good rust inhibiting lubricant.

 

[Frank44]

Thanks everyone. I bought a pound of Goex for $22.99 at the only place that I could find it. You ar right something is lost without the cloud of smoke, and smell of burning garbage. :haha:
Frank