Some comments found on the net.
Here's what Earl Naramore said in his book on handloading (second printing revised 1962). Page 170." Semi-smokeless powder. It will not develop high velocities, is not ordinarily found in trade channels and while it is a good powder, especilly for the old blackpowder cartridges , its virtues are not sufficiently great for anyone to put themseleves out to obtain it."
King's Semi-smokeless powder was based largely on nitrated wood pulp, giving it roughly 20% nitrocellulose.
Lesmoke powder actually had charcoal as part of the mixture and contained only 10 to 20% nitrocellulose.
It was the filler components that gave much of the smoke in these, and similar, powders.
Apparently they also left a fair amount of barrel residue, as well.
__________________
"Double guns are a sport and a pastime built into a beautiful package to which I attach myself when entering the great theater of autumn, those days now grow more precious because we are given so few".. Robin Lacy
|