Author Topic: Military surplus blackpowder  (Read 913 times)

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Offline Articifer Tom

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Military surplus blackpowder
« on: July 01, 2008, 03:22:49 PM »
 Has anyone ever heard if more of the decommissioned  powder has become available.

Offline Hairtrigger

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Re: Military surplus blackpowder
« Reply #1 on: July 01, 2008, 03:32:19 PM »
How long has it been since our military has used black powder?

Offline Cat Whisperer

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Re: Military surplus blackpowder
« Reply #2 on: July 01, 2008, 03:46:43 PM »
It is used in the base of powder bags (separate loading howizters and cannons) to catch the sparks from the primer.  I've seen it in 155, 175mm and 8".   Surplus powder is from breaking down the powder bags.

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Offline cannonmn

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Re: Military surplus blackpowder
« Reply #3 on: July 01, 2008, 06:42:33 PM »
If your local powder dealer does not have it and you want them to carry it, tell them to contact Indiana Ordnance Plant.  That's the demil contract.  They are able to sell the salvaged black powder to dealers who have a Federal Explosive License.  Last I checked, minimum order quantity wholesale was 3000 lbs.  Wholesale price was about $2. per lb, but I haven't chec ked in a year.  I found a dealer in E. KY who sold it for about $5. per lb. as I recall.  It was in 3 oz. bags, very course stuff from 155mm bags.  You can use the bags as is but it can leave some plastic residue in the gun.  The powder can vary in performance depending on how much moisture that particular bag happened to pick up during its lifetime.  it is OK for blank loads.  As I recall the grains are larger than  cannon grade.  There are often other granulations available which I have not tried.

Offline Articifer Tom

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Re: Military surplus blackpowder
« Reply #4 on: July 02, 2008, 03:11:31 PM »
 I called Back Creek in  Va. tonight  they got some in selling  $6 / lb. 45Lb. tub. or Goex  blasting Fa at $ 7.28 / lb. 25 Lb. bags. They said it's type in the primer bags .

Offline BoomLover

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Re: Military surplus blackpowder
« Reply #5 on: October 13, 2009, 05:58:54 AM »
I know this thread is over a year old, but... is this Military Black Powder still available? Thought it is a timely question, considering the cost of BP is going up. I should say my source is going up a bit. BoomLover
"Beware the Enemy With-in, for these are perilous times! Those who promise to protect and defend our Constitution, but do neither, should be evicted from public office in disgrace!