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Offline onegreatshot

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Change of powder brands
« on: April 16, 2012, 06:30:21 AM »
OK, someone out there has the information on this, as I have read other questions with the correct answers given each time. I'm the owner of 3 Golden Guns and have been using them to have fun with along with my friends. All this fun has run me out all the Goex B/P I have on hand. I have recently purchased 13 lbs of Hogdens pyorex and will be using it soon. I'm a long time competition shotgun shooter and reload a lot. So I know a lot about grains of powder reference to smokeless powder. I believe Goex weight and density is the same on balance beam scale. Now for the crux of my problem, I have heard pyorex is a little denser than Goex and the volume will be less for the same weight ie: 100gr. of Goex = 80gr. of pyorex. Wanting to be safe, is there a ratio between the two that I can use so I can use this powder? ??? ?
Dennis
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Offline BoomLover

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Re: Change of powder brands
« Reply #1 on: April 16, 2012, 08:28:37 AM »
Just a suggestion, others may differ....use the Hodgens in your shotgun, go for real BP for your cannons....Try the Hodgens, but the results may not be as satisfactory....
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Offline GGaskill

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Re: Change of powder brands
« Reply #2 on: April 16, 2012, 09:03:10 AM »
Pyrodex is designed to be loaded volume for volume in place of black powder; doing that will compensate for the differences in density.

However, unless you are firing heavy shot, I think you will be unsatisfied with Pyrodex in cannons.  It needs to develop pressure to burn well and it cannot do that in cannons in my experience due to the low sectional density of the shot and the windage which limits the pressure.  Real BP works a lot better.
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Offline Double D

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Re: Change of powder brands
« Reply #3 on: April 16, 2012, 09:18:36 AM »
First of all pyrodex is not a black powder. It technically is a smokeless powder. For loadoing data I suggest you follow the instruction found on the Hodgdon websiter and the side of the Pyrodex container.

In true cannon use it does not work.  It has different burn characteristic than blackpowder and requires pull to function.  That is, it must have a specific resistance to the build up of pressure from either a tight patched ball or a crimped cartridges in order function.  This is no problem rifle/pistol caliber cannons using patched balls. 

Large cannons for safety reason as well as ease of loading do not us patches.  Large cannons have windage and will not produce the required pull and will be unsatisfactory in cannons with windage.

The other issue is corrosiveness.  I have said here in the past that black powder fouling is not corrosive.  That is not quite correct.  Black powder fouling is corrosive.  In it's dry form it is fairly inert and easily cleaned away and will not by its self damage your gun.  Add moisture and the corrosive nature of black powder is activated.  The simple act of flushing with water will clean the fouling away

The fouling left from pyrodex is also corrosive.  It requires aggressive cleaning to clean away. If not properly clean it will corrode brass and steel. It is active in its form Pyrodex has a reputation for attacking brass alloys if not aggressively cleaned especial zincs. 

I would not use Pyrodex in a brass cannon.

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