Black Powder vs Pyrodex?
 

I' m trying to shoot a bit more traditional,I just found out BP shoots round balls great.What is the pro' s and con' s of shooting black powder.I' ve only used Pyrodex RS?

RE: Black Powder vs Pyrodex?
 

Black powder does shoot PRB excellent. I used to shoot only black powder. The only cons I can see is it is a lot more dirty then pyrodex. You have to make sure and swab between shots, but you should if you really want to get good groups, no matter what you use. It is a little more of a mess to clean, but cleans up once you learn to clean it with soap and water. The one real con I have is, it is almost impossible to purchase in my area. I have to drive almost 90 miles to get it. So I use Pyrodex or Clean Shot. I did notice that the store had a supply of American Powder Company, but I think that is Clean Shot. I have thought of getting some FFFg black powder and loading down the charge for my .50 caliber with the 1-66 twist, just to see if it makes a difference.

RE: Black Powder vs Pyrodex?
 

" I' m trying to shoot a bit more traditional"
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FIDeerman

Ya' gotta have the right gun to do that... hopefully yours is a 1-48" twist. I know of no other twist that shoots conicals, roundballs & sabot/bullets accurately.

The best " substitute" powder out there today in " loose" FF is 777
The best blackpowder out there today in " loose" FF is Swiss

There' s been no email reply by American Pioneer that suggest a " composition" change since they acquired/changed the name from Cleanshot. Thus, Pioneer remains the easiest to clean but lowest amongst the substitutes in velocity/energy with the same volume used. Pioneer also seems to have the shortest shelf life.

Actually, in tests conducted by posters on the net, the only " slower" real blackpowder in chrono tests of major brands conducted was the Elephant brand.

RE: Black Powder vs Pyrodex?
 

Mine is a 1-48 twist.It doesn' t seem to like sabots but to my suprise it shoots round balls great.

RE: Black Powder vs Pyrodex?
 

FIDeerman

If you are into economy shooting, try a 30-pk of T/C Cheap Shot sabot/bullets 240 grains for under $10 at your nearest hunting store. Another good alternative is the Buffalo Ballets 245 grain conicals (1/2 roundball - 1/2 bullet). You get 50 for around $8. Both of these shoot well in most 1-48' s. Alot of short pistol sabot/bullets between 180-240 grain work pretty well in the 48s. You can buy a 50-pk of Hornady XTPs 200 grain 44 cal sabot/bullets for under $10... then buy a 50 pk of green sabots for $6 -- then have 50 more shots for roughly $16.

RE: Black Powder vs Pyrodex?
 

I have 2 .54s in 1 in 48" and shoot Pyrodex RS in loose powder with PBR , I use the pellets for my 1 in 28" .50 cal for hunting with sabots . I' ve used sabots in the 1 in 48" but didn' t care for their accuracy .

The Cheap Shots are ok for target practice , but don' t work well for hunting due to their crappy sabots . Black powder is good stuff but harder to clean after than Pyro or Triple 7 , and usually much harder to find .

RE: Black Powder vs Pyrodex?
 

The Cheap Shots are ok for target practice , but don' t work well for hunting due to their crappy sabots" .
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Kevin

According to another poster on another site, T/C has addressed that poor sabot problem with with the Cheap Shot lineup & replaced them with a " not-so-poor" one that holds up well with 100 grain loads (85-777 powder)

Those Cheap Shots are not intended for hyper-velocity loads. Besides having a sabot breakdown, massive fragmentation of the bullet may occur once it enters the hide of many animals at bp magnum speeds (110-150).

RE: Black Powder vs Pyrodex?
 

Thanks for the heads up Triple Se7en ,
I like the Cheap Shots for cost containment . I never use loads over 100 grains while hunting , it just wastes powder with loose and the pellets won' t burn completely in my smokers . For targets I usually shoot 60-80 grains . My .50 will handle magnum loads , and has a muzzle brake , but a magnum load cost me a shot at a buck last year due to muzzle climb anyway . Never again .