Black Powder Selection

I'm getting the range set up this week for some preliminary testing on some new powders for Turkey Season fast approaching.

Not sure were to begin...:)

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...pslac0xqyq.jpg

Left to Right;

Blackhorn 209
Hogdgons Triple Seven (3Fg)
Goex Fg
Meteor 3Fg
Austin 3Fg
Goex 3Fg
Pyrodex RS 2Fg
Alliant Powder

primarily the 'substitutes' are for the .50 cal in-line....the Black powders for the .45 Kentucky and the .58 Musketoon

I have multiple cans in some of this so the storage box is getting a little full so, darn, some must go this summer :)

clears skies over every bodies house but yours...... when the shootin begins.... LOL

I have used the Meteor in my shotguns and was pleased with its performance.

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Originally Posted by Bushbaby

I have used the Meteor in my shotguns and was pleased with its performance.

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How was it for fouling...a dirty powder ?

Yes it was dirty. Kind of standard for black I guess. Not such a concern for a shotgun

Hey Mikepal, I don't think you can legally be in possession of that amount of powder......so.........you should send me a can of that 3f.LOL..................Daniel

What criteria do you use to determine that a powder is good for your needs?

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Originally Posted by boogaloo

Hey Mikepal, I don't think you can legally be in possession of that amount of powder......so.........you should send me a can of that 3f.LOL..................Daniel

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I'm allowed 10 kg...so I'm still good to go...no freebies yet :)

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Originally Posted by greatwhite

What criteria do you use to determine that a powder is good for your needs?

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They all are very similar in performance as far as a propellant goes..they all push the bullet. If I had a chrono I might be more concerned about velocities, but it's really not an issue for 50-100 yds shooting.

How it burns is a little more concern. I have to determined if it developers excessive cruds rings or wasted (unburnt) powder flying out the barrel. But even those aren't that critical and they can be worked around by swabbing the barrel between shots and using lighter loads.

The clean up is always a factor, the 'dirty' Black Powder requires a more meticulous clean up as it's more corrosive than the substitutes etc.

Otherwise it's just trail and error to find what gives me the best grouping, an indication of consistency and reliability.

Where are you buying your powder?

I pick most of it up at estate auctions or Gun Shows...been very fortunate (lucky) and get some great prices. The only ones in the pic I bought retail were the Alliant and the BH209.

I like the BH209. I will stick with it since I delivers good performance and it does not foul the barrel.

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Originally Posted by DGearyFTE

I like the BH209. I will stick with it since I delivers good performance and it does not foul the barrel.

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It's not recommended (because it won't ignite) for the side locks...thus the need for 3Fg 'Black'..

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Originally Posted by MikePal

It's not recommended (because it won't ignite) for the side locks...thus the need for 3Fg 'Black'..

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It is designed to use 209 primers, hence the name.

Have you found any substitutes that actually follow the same pressure curves or is it all a guess?

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Originally Posted by Fox

It is designed to use 209 primers, hence the name.

Have you found any substitutes that actually follow the same pressure curves or is it all a guess?

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Thru the years we found that, although not measured, that we had far better accuracy from 'less' not more. I have read this to be true on others forums. It's why we don't use pellets, per-measured and to much for the ranges we shoot, found the groups open up even at 100 yds.

I've never bothered trying to shoot measured groups at 250 yds, so who knows if the highers curves would prove out.

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Originally Posted by MikePal

Thru the years we found that, although not measured, that we had far better accuracy from 'less' not more. I have read this to be true on others forums. It's why we don't use pellets, per-measured and to much for the ranges we shoot, found the groups open up even at 100 yds.

I've never bothered trying to shoot measured groups at 250 yds, so who knows if the highers curves would prove out.

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I was talking BP with a guy I work with due to some cartridge BP loading I will be doing shortly. He chuckles when guys come in with a standard flintlock or percussion cap gun and are ticked when BH209 does not ignite, it has to have a really hot flame and the earlier methods of ignition does not work reliably but with 209 primers it is clean compared to the others.

There is still that huge problem of BC on a muzzle loader bullet, it is really hard to get a good BC out of a 50 cal BP gun but I know we have already discussed this, ha ha.

Pie plate at 250 yards with enough energy for a deer or other game is also a concern but isn't the idea of BP to go back to the old days, somewhere between bow and arrow and semi automatic?

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Originally Posted by Fox

Pie plate at 250 yards with enough energy for a deer or other game is also a concern but isn't the idea of BP to go back to the old days, somewhere between bow and arrow and semi automatic?

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I'll do a practical test..I'll load my .50 cal with a 300gr Keith Nose (BC .179) and shoot the propane tank at 250 yrd...

A) the tanks size represents the vitals (10")
B) if the bullet goes thru the tank, we will know it'll enough energy to punch a hole thru a deer...

Just have to account for drop...may take a few rounds to range it in..trajectory for that bullet,at 250 yds, is about -35 :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MikePal

I'll do a practical test..I'll load my .50 cal with a 300gr Keith Nose (BC .179) and shoot the propane tank at 250 yrd...

A) the tanks size represents the vitals (10")
B) if the bullet goes thru the tank, we will know it'll enough energy to punch a hole thru a deer...

Just have to account for drop...may take a few rounds to range it in..trajectory for that bullet,at 250 yds, is about -35 :)

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You have to get one of those old volley sights, the ones that sit off to the side of the gun :)