Rifleman Magazine Tests BP Substitutes.
 

In the October issue Rifleman magazine announced the results of testing of black powder and the black powder substitutes. Bryce M. Towsley attached a pressure strain gauge to the Knight .50 caliber Knight KRB riflethat was used in the testing. The gun has a 27 inch barrel. The Hornady 250 grain SST bullet and sabot wereused in the testing.

Twothings stuck outat me:

1. The power of Swiss brand black powder. This stuff is really powerful: 2,065 fps with a 150 grain charge.
2.The fact that there is really not a dime's worth of difference in the power of Pyrodex RS, Pyrodex Select, and Triple Seven.
Velocity of 150 grain charges of Pyrodex granular:

1. Pyrodex RS: 2,139 fps.
2. Pyrodex Select: 2,175 fps.
3. Pyrodex Triple Seven: 2,166.

Velocity of 100 grain charges of Pyrodex granular:

1. Pyrodex RS: 1,850 fps.
2. Pyrodex Select: 1,860ps.
3. Pyrodex Triple Seven: 1,961 fps.

Velocity of 3, 50 grain Triple Seven pellets.

PyrodexTriple Seven pellets: 2,106 fps.
The 3, 777pellets gave ahigher pressure reading than 150 grains of granular 777.

Two of the new Triple Seven Magnum pellets gave a velocity of 1,850 fps, the same as a 100 grain charge of Pyrodex RS.

So much for the claim that Triple Seven granular is X percent more powerful that the equivalent in 777 pellets.

RE: Reifleman Magazine Tests BP Substitutes.
 

Falcon - good information. Question: you point out the "power" of the Swiss, but the number you gave for the 150 grain charge of 2065 is lower than the three Pyrodex products you gave. Did you think it would be much lower and were surprised it was only a little lower???

RE: Reifleman Magazine Tests BP Substitutes.
 

i was very surprised that it was only a little lower.

RE: Reifleman Magazine Tests BP Substitutes.
 

I thought the article was extremely well done. I noticed one misprint in the velocity of Black Mag'3. I think it was the 150gr. that was listed as lower velocity than the 100gr. I think the first number was misprinted. I was also pleased that the comparison was done with the Knight KRB as I just bought one and had not even had a chance to shoot it before the article came out.

RE: Reifleman Magazine Tests BP Substitutes.
 

Quote - The Hornady 150 grain bullet and sabot wereused in the testing.
Is that a misprint or typo? Should it be 250gr ??? Lee

RE: Reifleman Magazine Tests BP Substitutes.
 

This testing was done with a 150 gr. bullet? Didn't know Hornady produced a saboted 150 gr. bullet for .50 caliber.

Keith.....I've had a KRB since June and really like it. Great shooting rifle.

RE: Reifleman Magazine Tests BP Substitutes.
 

Chris W.

They were shooting a 245 grain SST - i am not an sst fan but I did not know they even made a 245 gran SST.

But if you read within the article they do indicate it is a 250 grain SST.

RE: Reifleman Magazine Tests BP Substitutes.
 

I think thats a misprint, Ill bet it was a 250 gr I looked for that issue but all I have is Nov. Lee

RE: Reifleman Magazine Tests BP Substitutes.
 

"Quote - The Hornady 150 grain bullet and sabot wereused in the testing.
Is that a misprint or typo? Should it be 250gr ??? Lee"

My bad. They used the Hornady 250 grain SST.

In the article JSG did not turn out as well as i thought it would. 90 grains of JSG and the 250 grain SST has worked for me but the velocity has got to be very low-probably around 1,500 fps. Just re-sighted my Encore for 120 grains of JSG and the 250 grain SST.

RE: Reifleman Magazine Tests BP Substitutes.
 

One other interesting thing is that going from 100 to 150 grains (a 50% increase in powder) gives you only a 10-16% increase in velocity. Doesn't seem worth it for the extra thumping you get and the fact that 100 grains is enough to kill any deer, moose,or bison walking north america.

RE: Reifleman Magazine Tests BP Substitutes.
 

What granulation of Swiss was he testing? I'll bet it wasn't the FFFg equivalent because he was still able to write the article. :)

Would like to read the article but don't get that magazine.

RE: Reifleman Magazine Tests BP Substitutes.
 

"Doesn't seem worth it for the extra thumping you get and the fact that 100 grains is enough to kill any deer, moose,or bison walking north america."

Exactly. With GOEX black powder the recoil of the 8.3 1 pound scoped rifle increased from 19.7 food pounds (100 grain) to 35.6 pounds (150 grain). This is an 80% increase in recoil for 192 fps increase in velocity. Would imagine the figures for the more powerful powders are much worse.

Hetested the FFG.

RE: Reifleman Magazine Tests BP Substitutes.
 

i use 70 grains in my sidelocks;)

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txhunter58, There are some intersting things about that, did you know that the barrel length and the weight of the bullet change where the point of effence is in a load. its interesting to play with a chorny because of that.
Also that while a heavy bullet will burn the powder more effectivly in a short barrel your flatest shooting load will be a lighter bullet, and the sectional density will control penatration along with the hardness and shape of the bullet,
thats why I like this 200gr 40 cal SW, with 110 gr of 777 I get over2200 FPS which gives a very nice trajectory and it has the same penatrating capability as the 300gr 45cal SW,is that not a nice combo. Lee

RE: Reifleman Magazine Tests BP Substitutes.
 

Here are two of the three tables...

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Here is the third table...

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Thanks Mike - I wish he had included Pyro P but that is interesting. How was he determining pressures?

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UC

i dontno - i read the article again... see if it tells... I always look at the pictures first....

RE: Reifleman Magazine Tests BP Substitutes.
 

Oehler Model 43 Personal Ballistics Lab strain gauge.

RE: Reifleman Magazine Tests BP Substitutes.
 

falcon

Thank you falcon.... i hate reading