Blackpowder

[gcmoreau]

I'm new to muzzleloading sport. I own a traditional Hawken style flintlock rifle. I've read that blackpowder is recommended for use in a flintlock for more reliable ignition. Pyrodex RS seems to generally available in eastern Ontario, but I can't find any real blackpowder. Anybody know of a source local to Ottawa/Eastern Ontario region?

Tks,

[MikePal]

Welcome to the forum and good to see a fresh face joining the Black powder gang.

I buy all my powders from the 'Gun Mart' in Brockville. I'm not sure if he has any Goex in stock but a quick call will answer that and he may be able to order it in for you.

I use Goex ffg myself, but I've also tried Pyrodex in my .45 percussion cap last year with good results (less mess too).

Give Ross a call : 613-342-4037
http://www.gun-mart.ca/

[Fox]

Stittsville range is supposed to have black powder, I need to source some too for an antique.

[GoldenLakePete]

Welcome to the forum!

Some guys I know use a small amount of real black powder as a base to ignite a main load of Pyrodex with real black powder for priming.
This stretches out their supply of black.

[bcxextreme]

I would think any of the modern ML powders would work.As far as I know they are pretty much all formulated for easy ignition.

[MikePal]

I've heard the Blackhorn 209 is hard to ignite and guys have a hard time using it in the old Flinters etc.

I haven't confirmed that myself yet.

[bcxextreme]

Dont the FL style use a primer powder of some sort as well as the powder load.I may be wrong but thats what i always thought, in which case you should be able to use a 777 pellet as a load and a hot primer powder no?

[Bushbaby]

You should try to get some 3f black powder. It will work for your rifle and your pan powder. Don't use too much pan powder and try to bank it away from your touchhole.

[hollywood]

If you want the best accuracy and best ignition then your only choice is true black powder. I buy it at Shooters Choice in Kitchener or Williams Arms in Port Perry.

[GoldenLakePete]

Dont the FL style use a primer powder of some sort as well as the powder load.I may be wrong but thats what i always thought, in which case you should be able to use a 777 pellet as a load and a hot primer powder no?

Unfortunately, no. Flintlocks depend on a shower of sparks to ignite the priming powder (usually FFFFg or FFFg) which in turn ignites the main charge. Sometimes this ignition system fails even with real black powder. Sometimes the spark isn't enough to ignite the priming powder. Sometimes the priming goes off but doesn't set off the main charge (flash in the pan).
Flintlocks can be a challenge!

There were/are a couple of special flintlocks (Thompson/Center Firestorm) made which were able to use modern pellets but they're not very common.