Powder 101
11-26-2013, 08:23 AM
#1
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Florida
Posts: 19
Powder 101
Hey guys, just getting started and would like some input in Pyrodex, real black powder. I'm using RS in my renegade 54 cal. Shooting conicals. Seems to be doing ok but I see all kinds of powder being used. Fffg, ffg. A little confusing. What's up.
11-26-2013, 11:04 AM
#4
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 5,425
Pryodex is not real black powder, it is a substitute that came out in the 70s...Since it's ignition temp is higher than real black powder it is not as restrictive so far as storage and shipping...
Real black powder comes in different grades from F to FFFF with F being courser and FFFF being finer...F is for cannons, FFFF is for priming flintlocks and FF and FFF are for the main charge in rifles and shotguns...
Back in the 60s, we were told FFF is for rifles .45 caliber and below and FF for shotguns and rifles .50 caliber and above...Since we have learned that FFF can be used in larger bores as well as for priming, which makes things less complicated as only one powder can serve both purposes...
Real black powder comes in different grades from F to FFFF with F being courser and FFFF being finer...F is for cannons, FFFF is for priming flintlocks and FF and FFF are for the main charge in rifles and shotguns...
Back in the 60s, we were told FFF is for rifles .45 caliber and below and FF for shotguns and rifles .50 caliber and above...Since we have learned that FFF can be used in larger bores as well as for priming, which makes things less complicated as only one powder can serve both purposes...
11-26-2013, 12:11 PM
#5
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: River Ridge, LA (Suburb of New Orleans)
Posts: 10,917
In terms of velocity yield per given volume of powder, real black powder is the lowest with FFg a bit lower than FFFg. Pyrodex yields a bit higher velocity than real black with RS a bit lower than P. Next up is Triple Seven. Again FF is a bit lower than FFF. I think Blackhorn is about equal to Triple Seven in the velocity department, especially with bullets of 250 grains or less. Blackhorn may have an edge with heavier bullets, but I can't say for sure as I haven't worked with Blackhorn over the chronograph to any great extent.
As far as accuracy potential goes, I've found real black powder to be the most forgiving, followed by Pyrodex RS. When I say forgiving I'm referring to potential accuracy with a wide range of powder charges from fairly low charges to fairly high charges. Triple Seven seems to have a more limited range for good accuracy with any particular bullet (at least that's what I think I've experienced). I haven't worked with Blackhorn enough to have an opinion on it regarding the accuracy potential with a range of powder charges.
As far as accuracy potential goes, I've found real black powder to be the most forgiving, followed by Pyrodex RS. When I say forgiving I'm referring to potential accuracy with a wide range of powder charges from fairly low charges to fairly high charges. Triple Seven seems to have a more limited range for good accuracy with any particular bullet (at least that's what I think I've experienced). I haven't worked with Blackhorn enough to have an opinion on it regarding the accuracy potential with a range of powder charges.
Last edited by Semisane; 11-26-2013 at 12:13 PM.
