It def. made me a bit nervous, on top of having no idea on burn time of the fuse. I'm convinced my neighbors hate me, haha.
... I didn't want to leave anything to chance since black powder is new to me.
Thanks for the accolades gents!!
Real black powder is to be respected, but is perfectly safe when used correctly, and intelligently. Despite all the hype to the contrary it cleans up with water. It is classified as an explosive (low order) but does have a "burn rate" that is controlled by kernel size and to some extent shape. I have read and been told many times about two methods for loading black powder. In small cannons either refer to the load chart in the stickies, or use the 1 grain per caliber number (as a max load). So a 50 cal would have a max load of 50 grains. With rifles in small bore the load range is usually 1/2 grain to 1 grain per caliber number. So my .32 flintlock is to be loaded with 16 - 32 grains 3F and a patched roundball. While my .54 x .54 Kodiak being larger bore is loaded with a range of 1 to 2 grains per caliber number. 54 to 108 grains of powder. The recommended load data for both rifles lists greater charges as max loads, but accuracy comes in with the .32 at 25 grains, and 90 grains in the .54. In my .69 cal "Ironsides" model mini cannon Traditions lists a load range (with roundball) of 45 to 85 grains. The main thing to remember is to not to try to over load the barrel, there is no need for all the stress. Trust me, you can make plenty of noise with mid-level and moderate loads.
Fuse is cheap every time you buy a new length, cut a 1' piece and time the burn rate.
Have fun, and remember once you go black, you never go back
