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Thread: Smokeless vs Black Powder

  1. #1
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    Default Smokeless vs Black Powder

    I know this topic is second nature to the 'seasoned' shooters here, but I watched this video the other day and found it interesting none the less.

    A good visual tool for the newer ML guys to see compare the differences, and SEE why it's so important to understand the powders available for shooting.

    (The fun stuff starts about 8:00 minutes in)

    Last edited by MikePal; December 28th, 2014 at 07:20 PM.

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  3. #2
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    That video definitely demonstrates the difference between Detonation and Deflagration.

    Ed

  4. #3
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    That's what I thought watching it, I always like a 'visual' display of a principle to make it stick in my head

    Also nice to see the differences in the some of smokeless powders, very educational.

  5. #4
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    The video does demonstrate the difference of burn rate of the 2-different classed powders in an open environment. Here’s where a false impression may be given to some to try smokeless powders in a BP muzzle loader because it appears to burn slower.
    What isn’t demonstrated is when pressure is applied to smokeless powder it accelerates the burn even faster than BP generating a quicker pressure climb & buildup.

    A few years back when Hodgdon changed the formulation of 4759 and introduced it in a 1-lb plastic container I noticed an increased drop at 200yds. My chronograph also showed less velocity than before. Okay I decided to try a pressure trace to see what difference there might now be. Here’s what I found.

    4759 43gr Old vs New.jpg


    In order to regain my initial 2300fps I previously had, a new load of 46.5 - 47grns was now needed.
    Also note how fast peak pressure is obtained with smokeless powder combination for this application.

    Ed

  6. #5
    Has too much time on their hands

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    There's different types of "black powder". Many years ago a friend got hold of some "black powder" from a fireworks factory. It worked just fine in our smoothbore muskets. One day out hunting I was distracted and poured the shot down on the powder without putting an over-powder wad down.

    Not wanting to waste an ounce of shot I just pored the mixed up shot and powder on the ground and bent over to drop a match on it to burn off the powder. A normal load of 70-80 grs of black powder will just go "poof". This fireworks powder soot blackened my glasses and burned off most of my eyebrows! Without the glasses I would have been blinded. We stopped using the fireworks powder.
    Member of the National Firearms Association (NFA).

  7. #6
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    Sorry Pete.....hahahhahahahahaha...glad you just lost some man hair though.....
    Quote Originally Posted by GoldenLakePete View Post
    There's different types of "black powder". Many years ago a friend got hold of some "black powder" from a fireworks factory. It worked just fine in our smoothbore muskets. One day out hunting I was distracted and poured the shot down on the powder without putting an over-powder wad down.

    Not wanting to waste an ounce of shot I just pored the mixed up shot and powder on the ground and bent over to drop a match on it to burn off the powder. A normal load of 70-80 grs of black powder will just go "poof". This fireworks powder soot blackened my glasses and burned off most of my eyebrows! Without the glasses I would have been blinded. We stopped using the fireworks powder.
    Mark Snow, Leader Of The, Ontario Libertarian Party

  8. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by GoldenLakePete View Post
    There's different types of "black powder". Many years ago a friend got hold of some "black powder" from a fireworks factory. It worked just fine in our smoothbore muskets. One day out hunting I was distracted and poured the shot down on the powder without putting an over-powder wad down.

    Not wanting to waste an ounce of shot I just pored the mixed up shot and powder on the ground and bent over to drop a match on it to burn off the powder. A normal load of 70-80 grs of black powder will just go "poof". This fireworks powder soot blackened my glasses and burned off most of my eyebrows! Without the glasses I would have been blinded. We stopped using the fireworks powder.

    Black powder is a mechanical mixture of sulfur, saltpeter and charcoal, moisten with a bit of water. However the powder from the fireworks factory may have been Fr rather than Fg. Both are granulated the same: F, FF, FFF, FFFF, the only difference is the Fr (raw black powder) is not coated with graphite and tends to burns a bit erratically.

    We don't stop hunting because we get old. We get old because we stop hunting.
    - Gun Nut

  9. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by GoldenLakePete View Post
    There's different types of "black powder". Many years ago a friend got hold of some "black powder" from a fireworks factory. It worked just fine in our smoothbore muskets. One day out hunting I was distracted and poured the shot down on the powder without putting an over-powder wad down.<br>
    <br>
    Not wanting to waste an ounce of shot I just pored the mixed up shot and powder on the ground and bent over to drop a match on it to burn off the powder. A normal load of 70-80 grs of black powder will just go "poof". This fireworks powder soot blackened my glasses and burned off most of my eyebrows! Without the glasses I would have been blinded. We stopped using the fireworks powder.
    <br>
    <br><br>

    Black powder is a mechanical mixture of sulfur, saltpeter and charcoal, moisten with a bit of water. However the powder from the fireworks factory may have been Fr rather than Fg. Both are granulated the same: F, FF, FFF, FFFF, the only difference is the Fr (raw black powder) is not coated with graphite and tends to burns a bit erratically.

    We don't stop hunting because we get old. We get old because we stop hunting.
    - Gun Nut&nbsp;</em>

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