WHAT POWDER?
 

I am getting back into BP after a 15 year absenth? and am a newbie around here. I must say this is one of the most informative forums I've seen. I went looking for Goex BP everywhere and even Williams Gun Sight here in town doesn't carry it anymore. I've never used anything else. I shoot a .50 cal T/C Hawkin, PRB and Maxi-Balls only. Whats a good alternative. Thanks for any help.

RE: WHAT POWDER?
 

Welcome to the forum, DYMOND, glad you have joined us.
I don't use Black Powder, but are you saying that no one in the area carries ANY brand of BP, or that they don't carry Goex? I believe there are a couple of other makers of BP that should work well for you if you prefer to stick with black. Many people use substitutes these days - Hodgdon's Pyrodex or Triple Se7en (777). There are also others, such as American Pioneer Powder (APP) and others you will read about on here, as well as the pro's and con's of each.
You mentioned Williams gun sight - do you live in the Flint, MI area? I am in this area. Williams may have other locations, I don't know.
I thought that Cabela's carried Goex, but I just did a search of Cabela's, Midsouth Shooters Supply and Midway USA, and NONE of them list any real Black Powder! I had no idea - but I'm sure that avid BP users here already know how hard it's getting to obtain.
I'm sure you'll get other replies to this post with more info, so keep lookin'. Good Luck!

IM jaybe :)

RE: WHAT POWDER?
 

Thanks jaybe, I live in Grand Blanc. I guess its time to think outside the real BP box and try some the new powders.:)

RE: WHAT POWDER?
 

I wouldn't.No substitutegives faster, more reliable ignition, and in most cases, better accuracy in sidelocks than blackpowder. Click on the following link for a list of blackpowder suppliers, including some that will ship it anywhere in the US. Most require a minimum order of 1 case(25 lbs) but Graf and Sons and Powder Inc will sell, and ship, small quantities(4 & 5 lbs).

http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/13135/

RE: WHAT POWDER?
 

Well - if you want to use BP, don't give up yet. I think some of the guys on here continue to use it, and some swear by it - and they can help you find a source. I know one problem is that if you mail order it, you also have to pay a $20.00 Hazardous Materials fee. For that reason, I know most heavy BP users will order large quantities, since the HazMat fee is per shipment, not per pound (I think). Try sending aPM to Roundball, Cayugad or Taquahmenon(sp?) - I think all of them can help you.

ps - I live on the NW side, near Flushing.

IM jaybe:)

RE: WHAT POWDER?
 

Well,I guess they all have threir pros and cons; I never had a problem with Black though I never considered any of them as good as the old Dupont and I guess I would not change back if there was a choice around here,I have come to like the American Pioneer Powder,it has about the same energy potential as the old Dupont and the lowest ignition tempture of the Black powder substitutes. I am just begining to check out Pinncle so far it looks ok.Lee

RE: WHAT POWDER?
 

If your rifle is a T/C percussion cap then Pyrodex RS will work just fine. It is as good and in many cases produces better results then black powder. Your rifle will determine that of course, but my Hawkins and Renegades generally give excellent results with Pyrodex.

Triple Se7en FFg will also work fine in the Hawkins. Make sure you have a hot shot stainless steel nipple and a good hot cap like the CCI Magnum #11 or the Dynamite Noble RWS 1075 and it will fire just fine. Check your patches when shooting Triple Se7en. If they are blowing them up and burning them bad, stick a bore button or wonder wad between the powder and the patches ball and it will solve the problem. Many times the wonder wads help even if the patches are not blowing.

Another powder out on the market that I get some excellent results with when shooting roundball is Pinnacle 3f. I have been shooting that in the Renegade in both the .54 and .58 calibers and the accuracy and powder is exceptional. Clean up is also a breeze because a couple patches of water or solvent and the barrel is almost clean.

I will be shooting some of the Black Mag 3 today and see how I like that. Also I have some American Pioneer Powder finally in which I will be shooting later this week. When APP was Clean Shot (not Clear Shot) I shot a lot of it and actually liked the stuff a great deal.

If your rifle is a flintlock you are going to need some black powder and will have to look around for some. No matter what anyone tells you, nothing shoots as good as black powder. Even in the percussion caps, if you can find Goex 2f or even 3f you will be better off shooting that. In some manuals they talk about duplexloads with 5-10 grains of black powder and then the remainder of the load with Pyrodex or Triple Se7en. Well that works but all the goofing around is a pain.

Welcome back to the sport after so many years. Its like riding a bicycle, you did it once and it will all come back to you without problem. As long as you use common sense. Also with some of the new powders you might want to read back on some posts about them. Triple Se7en for instance is 15% stronger then Pyrodex RS or Goex 2f.

Good luck.

RE: WHAT POWDER?
 

Thanks to all for the great info. I tried another gun shop on my lunch hour here in Saginaw and they don't carry it anymore either.Oh well.

RE: WHAT POWDER?
 

gander mtn here sells geox 2f or 3f. i think it is 18 dollars for a 1 pound can.some drive to factory and buy it in bulk and sell it to friends.lot cheaper that way.20 dollar hazard fee is not way to go.

RE: WHAT POWDER?
 

I order Black Powder from Powder Inc.
I shoot only Swiss BP but they also carry Goex. I order my powder in 10-25+ pound lots from:
www.powderinc.com


Near you about an hour away for Goex BP by the pound. Give them a call to verify they have what you want.:
CLASSIC ARMS
1600 Lake Lansing Road
Lansing,Michigan
517-484-6112
Or Contact Us At: [email protected]
http://www.classicarms.net/


For substitute (reduce FFG loading data by 15-20% and another 10% if shooting 3FG):
Hodgdon Triple Se7en (777) FFG or FFFG.
Black Mag'3.

Regards,

Tahquamenon