Pyrodex RS vs. Pyrodex Select

[Josmund]

I called TC to ask about recommended loads for my 50 Cal Hawken. The service rep was very insistent that I use Pyrodex Select and a Maxiball.

Cabelas only had the RS available and I bought a can. I looked on Hogdons site and they simply state the Select shoots better groups.

Can anyone tell me the difference and should I look around for a can of Select? How will RS do for a Hawken style rifle?

Also, how about a less expensive option to the Maxiballs?

[builder459]

All i ever used in my .54 T/C renegade was RS, worked excellent!

[bigcountryextreme]

I shoot goex and rs in my hawken. I used to buy the select, but won't bother anymore. Couldn't see enough difference for the extra price myself.

I also shoot maxihunts and maxiballs and PRB's. Maxiballs work the best. On gunbroker there are guys who sell cast maxiball 50 for $20. You can buy some borebutter and lube them yourself. Or better yet buy a lyman cast and cast em yourself.

[builder459]

You could also try no-excuse and bullshop conicals. i am sure they will send samples and i know the no- excuse run about $21.00 per 50, the bullshops are probably about the same price. just another option.. Ray

[cayugad]

Select is RS sent through a screen a few more times. I used to only shoot Select. Then like you, ran out and all they had was RS. So I shot that and never noticed a difference in accuracy or velocity.

A good load for your Hawkins and cheap to shoot is a roundball and 85 grains of RS powder under it. If your rifle is a .50 then use a .490 ball and a .015-.018 patch. If its a .54 use a .530 ball and the same patch and powder amount.

[MountainDevil54]

select is very course so you'd be much better off using RS. RS is an excellent powder thats very consistent.

[liquidorange]

Originally Posted by cayugad

Select is RS sent through a screen a few more times. I used to only shoot Select. Then like you, ran out and all they had was RS. So I shot that and never noticed a difference in accuracy or velocity.

same here. i use to feel good buying premium gas too.

[sabotloader]

It my understanding that Select was ran through the tigher filter allowing the fines to fall all. Select, I thought was suppose to be the more uniformly consistent powder and as such would deliever a more consistent shot to shot, since I am not a Pyro user I really am not up on the information.

Pyrodex® is a propellant designed for use in muzzleloading and black powder cartridge arms found by a competent gunsmith to be in good shootable condition.

Pyrodex® P - Pistol Powder

Pyrodex P is intended to be a direct replacement for FFFg Black powder when measured volumetrically using a black powder measure. The principal uses for Pyrodex P are in muzzleloading pistols, cap and ball revolvers, and in small bore, muzzleloading rifles.

Pyrodex® RS - Rifle/Shotgun Powder

Pyrodex RS can be used in all calibers of percussion muzzleloading rifles and shotguns. It has a wide application of uses and is the most versatile powder in the Pyrodex line. Like all grades of Pyrodex, it burns cleaner and produces less fouling than blackpowder. RS compares to 2F blackpowder on a particle size basis.

Pyrodex® Select - Select Rifle/Shotgun Powder

Select is an enhancement of our RS grade of Pyrodex. Using RS or 2F data in a volumetric measure, Select can significantly reduce group size. Wonderful news to the deer hunter is that Select performs well with sabots and conical bullets. Select has also become a favorite among many blackpowder cartridge shooters because of its exceptional consistency. For target use it is the "best of the best".

[Semisane]

I too have shot Select and RS side-by-side - same gun, charge and bullet. Didn't see any difference.

[falcon]

Several years ago i burned a lot of Pyrodex RS and Select trying to find out what the difference is. Fired measured loads of both into the same groups at 100 yards. Only difference i saw was in the price. Select is not worth the extra $4.00 per pound.