Author Topic: What Powder? (Read 1796 times)

ButlerFord45 · « **on:** January 01, 2003, 01:24:41 AM »

There are several black powder manufacturers, each has different grades, then there is all the S/P Subs, how do I know which one I need?

Are they all pretty much the same?

Anyone have a good source for powder?

Butler Ford

Cuts Crooked · « **Reply #1 on:** January 01, 2003, 04:54:24 AM »

I use Elephant powder fer two reasons cost and consistancy. Later runs of Elephant have a lower standard deviation compared to Goex and Kick brand powders, according to my chrony testing, although it does give slightly lower velocities. (about 8% lower) It's avalibale from http://www.mainepowderhouse.com/

Goex is the standard which most BP shooters use and it's an excellent powder too! I have never ordered any Kick powder and have only tried part of a can for testing purposes. It appears to be a pretty good powder too.

Uh....buying BP can be a pain! Most retail outfits don't stock it because of the storeage requirements for them. And buying it from the outlets like The Maine Powder House requires that you order 25# of the stuff at a time!

Pyrodex is much more readily available and is very consistant burning, but WAY more expensive to use!

Mason Stillwell · « **Reply #2 on:** January 01, 2003, 05:00:18 AM »

I also like Elephant. One can buy it in 25 lb lots from www.mainepowderhouse.com
Have done business with them for a while and always had good service.
I mostly shoot FFFG and FFG they will let you mix lots.

Hope this helps
Pete :-)

Peddler Parsons · « **Reply #3 on:** January 04, 2003, 06:06:10 AM »

Howdy to the wire

I did use CleaNshot but now use Hodgen 777. Cost a bit more but use less powder for the same fps with a Crony and poa stayed the same. So the cost works out to be about the same per powed per # of shots. I use this powder for my pistols and rifles, but Pyrodex RS for my sxs.

Peddler Parsons
SASS 31281

Trapdoor Billy · « **Reply #4 on:** January 05, 2003, 07:30:34 AM »

I'm currently using mostly Elephant from The Main Powder House in FFg & FFFg. Place where I work carries Goex and I can get it pretty cheap there so I use some if it also - FFg - FFFg - CTG.

ButlerFord45 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 20, 2003, 06:44:28 AM »

Powder Inc.
advertises that they will ship in 5# cases. I havent ordered from them yet, but will as soon as I get the cookie jar pumped back up.

Brasskisser · « **Reply #6 on:** March 12, 2003, 06:10:40 AM »

Butler Ford 45, Here is what I would do if I were you. Buy a pound or Pyrodex "RS", one pound of Goex "Cartridge", a pound of CleaNshot or 777, and if you can find it Elephant FFg. Load up ten rounds of each for each gun you intend to shoot them in. Then bench rest test fire these test loads (five rounds per target) in each gun you will use them in. Keep good records and when you get a load that shots small groups in several guns, you are most of the way there. Then load 50 rounds for each gun and shot all fifty rounds thru each gun. If the guns maintain accuracy and do not foul out. You are done. If they foul out then you need to work on the lube (more of it) this is usually a result of the bullet designed to carry enough BP lube. Always try to solve barrel fouling with more lube on the bullet (large grease grooves). Forget about wonder wads and grease cookies, these things are overly complicated and a result of using the WRONG bullet design. If the fouling is in front of the cylyder or the pin on SAA then simply grease them better before you start (crysco or borebutter). Hope this helps. If you were my next door neighbor, we could have this stuff whipped this afternoon. Make Smoke!

Pigeonroost Slim · « **Reply #7 on:** March 13, 2003, 02:31:59 AM »

My 2 cents; if'n ya can get the real theng, avoid the subs. Swiss is the best real powder, but way expensive. Wano has good reputaion and I will try it some day. I prefer Elephant to Goex. If you shoot much; 25# is not that much; about a six month supply, or less, for me. Shot shells really eat it up!

Mason Stillwell · « **Reply #8 on:** March 17, 2003, 02:47:49 AM »

Slim
Could I ask about how many shoots or rounds do you shoot in 6 months.
I am trying to plan this years powder use and how much I will need to order!!!!!

Mason(Pete)Stillwell

Pigeonroost Slim · « **Reply #9 on:** March 17, 2003, 10:44:37 AM »

Hey Ho Pete!

The vast majority of my shooti'n is out on the back 40. Got lots of other things on my agenda rite now with my younguns play'n ball and Kickslikehell healing up after surgery. I have not been doing long range and you do, right?

So fer me a 6 stager jest eats a box or so of shotshells and three or less "boxes" of .45 Colt. Maybe a side match with shotgun or derringer or such. But practice'n like Doc Dhapiro prescribed really east the powder up! Then drills go on and on. I suggest ya get 25# pound lots and reorder wehn ya hit the 10 pound reserve mark.

Mason Stillwell · « **Reply #10 on:** March 17, 2003, 02:22:51 PM »

Thank you very much. This year will be my first full (all Shoots)BP Year.
So After this I shoud know what is up.
Thanks
Mason (Pete )Stillwell :wink: