Author Topic: Still no Black Mag 3.... (Read 729 times)

scienceguy · « **on:** March 28, 2005, 06:07:59 AM »

Still no Black Mag 3 to be found at any shops here in the Midwest. Don't want to pay any hazmat fees. The dealers I've talked to have come up empty when trying to order the stuff. Anybody have any accurate inside information? Is the company floundering in setting up distributorships? Are they moving to greater production to satisfy demand? I wonder what the hold up is?

scienceguy

Keith Lewis · « **Reply #1 on:** March 28, 2005, 08:49:53 AM »

I have talked with the CEO and according to him they are in process of setting up distributors. They apparently have the east coast pretty well covered and are having problems getting distributors in the mid-west and the west. I understand that Goex is doing the same with their Pinnacle powder which is only available from a distributor in AR. I had to order and pay the hazmat fees and that means the powder is over $25 a pound by ordering five pounds. Apparently it is more difficult that we can understand to find someone that wants to sell something for you to make money?

I suspect that Goex may beat Black Mag'3 to the market just because they already have distributors for their other products. I am going to check out the Pinnacle and see if it measures up to the standards that Black Mag'3 has set for me. So far Black Mag'3 is so far ahead of the next competitor that it is funny.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 28, 2005, 09:31:20 AM »

If they are in the East coast, I have not seen it. Not on gun shop in Delaware has it. No demand for it.

NimrodRx · « **Reply #3 on:** March 28, 2005, 11:30:32 AM »

My local gun shop got some in. Naturally, I had to give it a try. I now have 3/4 of a pound that I would like to get rid of. Very clean, but my rifle didn't like it as well as it does T7. Groups opened up by about two inches. Might be different for you. Good luck.

Keith Lewis · « **Reply #4 on:** March 28, 2005, 03:07:58 PM »

You are right, Deleware is one of the states that they have missed completely. I think we discussed this before. As for the Michigan guy there is another "Michigander" that absolutely loves the Black Mag'3. I found great groups out of my Omega with 90-100gr. behind 300gr. Hornady SST and also with 295gr. Powerbelts. I would be interested in what rifle and bullet combination you had bad results with. My Omega seems to shoot almost anything I can get down the barrel (which is a major problem sometimes as the barrel is really tight) and the groups are always very good. I have not found any combination that will not hold less than 2" at 100 yards. It shot like that from the start.

Busta · « **Reply #5 on:** March 28, 2005, 07:22:36 PM »

NimrodRx,

What dealer are you talking about that has the BM'3. I bought some at Jay's Last fall and I love the stuff. Shot two deer with it during the Muzzleloader Season. How close are you to Mid-Michigan? I would be interested in your powder if you don't want too much for it and are close enough. Give me a PM if your serious about the powder.

NimrodRx · « **Reply #6 on:** March 28, 2005, 07:52:57 PM »

Keith,

I shoot a Knight Disc Elite 50 cal. My preferred bullet is a 250 gr Barnes Expander. I wouldn't say I had bad results, just not as good as the results I get with T7 - in terms of accuracy. It is CERTAINLY cleaner than T7. With T7, I can put 5 rounds at 50 yrds in a ragged hole, at 100 yards I can put 5 rnds in a 1.5 inch group. With BM3, I went to a 3 inch group at 50 and a 5 inch group at 100.

Busta, Classic Arms in East Lansing, MI is stocking BM3. Last time I was in there, they still had some on the shelf. If you're interested in the balance I have, I sent you a PM. Let me know. Mike

Keith Lewis · « **Reply #7 on:** March 29, 2005, 03:39:57 AM »

Nimrod: I think the reason might be that with a Knight and the Barnes bullets you have a relatively loose fit projectile. The T7 ignition is so sharp and the pressure rise so rapid that it upsets the base of the bullet enought to get tight fit in the bore. Black Mag'3 on the other hand has a relatively slow pressure rise rate compared to T7 and without the upset the rifling does not get engraved as deeply. My Omega is so tight I have trouble loading most sabots but everyting I can get down the barrel will print less than 2" groups at 100 yards with Black Mag'3 pushing it; Also I shoot mostly 300gr. or 348gr. bullets and BM3 is better with heavier bullets and longer barrels as it generates pressure as it travels the barrel. I think the BM3 probably works better in longer barrels also due to the similarity to real black powder in it's burn rate. I may not have this all figured out but that is what my experience is leading to at this time. Pinnacle from Goex may have similar characteristics to Black Mag'3 as I believe the composition is similar to that and American Pioneer Powder.

NimrodRx · « **Reply #8 on:** March 29, 2005, 04:02:43 AM »

Could be? I'm not sure. My bore is certainly tight. Those Expanders don't slip down the barrel by any means. I also tried 300 gr Expanders and 285 gr Buffalo Bullets. Same results. I have a true 26 inch barrel.

As I have said before, I would like to be able to use the stuff. It's incredibly clean. I'm just not willing to let my groups open up. I guess every rifle is different.