You will have to try it but it costs more so what's the point. I loaned a museum a sleeved 3 pndr with a bore of 2 1/4 ". They had pyrodex for a rifle so they used that with wonderful results, even a bit too loud to the delight of their young visitors. However, when I delivered their 4 pndr, you can make more noise blowing your nose. The larger gun requires real BP.