46 years ago my chemistry teacher was dumb enough to give my class the assignment to make black powder.Well I think 10% of the class went home that day with shorter or no eye brows. So after that experience, I don't think you should try.

Didn't the creater of Pyrodex die in a fire at their plant? And they were professionals. That would be reason enough not to attempt it.

I made some many years ago. I did use a scale in weighing the components, but did not allow for their relative purity. It would ignite but was weak.

As far as I know, there is nothing dangerous about mixing the ingredients, as it is a wet process. Once mixed, you spread it out to dry. Then you grind it to the desired grain size. That's where it gets tricky.

In NH where I'm from, there is an old road called Powder Mill Road in the town of New Durham. The BP mill there blew up in 1861 and killed 5 people. Not sure the cause, could have been a fire or some ignition of powder during grinding, but the real problem is the amount that is present. Obviously they make large batches in a mill, and therefore the potential for a large problem

If you make BP at home, grind in small amounts, away from sources of ignition, and away from other powder. If you grind say 2-300 grains at a time, I'd say there's no real risk as long as you don't grind it in a container of any sort. Pour out that much BP in a pile on the ground and light it with a wick. It's interesting, but not really explosive.

I don't recommend making BP as an alternative to buying it. But it was an interseting project for me.

Dan Pawlakdied in an explosion that destroyed the Pyrodex plant in 1977.

http://www.chuckhawks.com/muzzleloading_babylon.htm

I think the Gov't also frowns on the idea. They don't like you making your own whiskey neither.

Feels great to not be alone!

It was just one of those thoughts. Figured if there is traditional archery maybe there ought to be "real" traditional muzzleloading!

Yeah I'll leave it to the pros.

Tom

Heard a bp plant explosion and watched the mushroom cloud in the distance.

Talked to a fellow shooter years ago. His cousin was at one explosion. Didn't find one piece of him.