Which powder for my ROA?

[OB OBrien]

Which powder would be best for my ROA. Goex FFF or the FF?

I have some Pyrodex P thats over 30 years old. Also have some 30 year old Pyrodex RS that I tried in my 50 Cal yesterday. I got delayed firing with that. Guess that was from it being so old. So I'm thinking I just need to forget about using any of the Pyrodex, and stick with the real BP. What do you'all experts think?javascript:void(0)

Thanks OB

 

[R.M.]

One question, what type of load are you after, full/max power, or a comfortable plinking load.
Personally, I'd stay with 3F, but 2F will shoot. It might be a bit dirtier and slower, but if all you're doing is having fun, who cares.

 

[rafterob]

I have shot pyrodex P for 2 years and just ran out. I have had no problems with it. I have heard it is more susceptible to moisture than real BP, so that could be an issue with your antique powder. I had switched to Goex black for my rifles and will now be using that in my revolver. I see a lot of the cowboy shooters use 777 but I have no personal experience with it.

 

[Jim/OH]

Stick to real black powder, it is less expensive, shoots better, can be stored for 30 years if you want. There is no reason to use any artificial black powder. That stuff has a shelf life of less than a year, so that is why you had problems with what you had. In the ROA a 15 to 20 grain load of Goax FFFG shoots great in mine. Fill the remainder of the space with filler, corn meal, Cream of Wheat, etc. A stiffer load would be ok for hunting, but accuracy suffers when going to a maxumum load. Hope this helps. :thumbsup:
See ya, Jim/OH :hatsoff:

 

[Blizzard of '93]

Pyrodex actually groups tighter and feels 'stouter' than 3F BP in my ROA. it costs more and has to be kept DRY and well sealed. I load for max velocitys in my BP revolvers since I use them hunting with Lee mold conicals.
but you can't go wrong with Goex 3F IMO.
use the 2F in your rifles .50 and bigger.

 

[mykeal]

...artificial black powder. That stuff has a shelf life of less than a year...

Maybe yours, but not mine.

 

[Bearbait2]

Mr. Jim/OH,
"That stuff has a shelf life of less than a year....."
Not so, in our experience.
We are currently using an opened jar of Pyrodex P that has been in use (off an on) for more than 12 years. It is still providing the same measured velocity per charge as it did when first opened.
Best Wishes

 

[TFoley]

I have some Pyrodex P thats over 30 years old. Also have some 30 year old Pyrodex RS that I tried in my 50 Cal yesterday. I got delayed firing with that. Thanks OB

Just a gentle reminder that the P in Pyrodex P stands for 'pistol' and the 'RS' stands for 'rifle/shotgun'.

Try using the correct grade of propellant and THEN see what happens.

tac

 

[renovato]

I used to get delayed firing and poor groups even from new Pyrodex. I'm glad I came back to real black powder. 3F is the proper granulation for handguns, but it works great in most rifles too. Better than 2F in all of mine but one.

Give Goex 3F a try and see how it works for you. If you just happen to have some 2F laying around that you want to use up. It'll work fine in your revolver, it just won't be as powerful and it fouls more.