1888 Grade 2 Hammer Won Today:

[Bruce P Bruner]

Originally Posted by edgarspencer

Since black powder was the cancer that killed so many damascus barrels, why would you use it? There are so many loads which yield lower pressures with acceptable ballistics.

Edgar, I don’t believe black powder caused the ruination and havoc of any vintage barrels. All of the destruction was simply a result of neglect due to the lack of cleaning after use. Some of my oldest doubles (mid 1880’s) have unblemished bores from black powder use. I suppose I am a true traditionalist, vintage doubles were made for black powder use. I enjoy the sound, the smell and the smoke.

[edgarspencer]

Originally Posted by Bruce P Bruner

Edgar, I don’t believe black powder caused the ruination and havoc of any vintage barrels. All of the destruction was simply a result of neglect due to the lack of cleaning after use. Some of my oldest doubles (mid 1880’s) have unblemished bores from black powder use. I suppose I am a true traditionalist, vintage doubles were made for black powder use. I enjoy the sound, the smell and the smoke.

That's a beautiful gun.

I don't dispute that using traditional powders is fun, and if the bang and smoke gives you some pleasure, by all means, have at it. Your first two sentences seem to be in opposition with one another. Shooting black powder, on a crisp fall day, and properly cleaned afterward is unlikely to ever be an issue. However, a damp day causes the residue to almost immediately turn to sulfuric acid and it doesn't take any time at all to start frosting an otherwise mint bore. The slower burning Fg will always leave more residue than FFg. I use Fg in my 4 and 8 bore cannons, and they aren't too easy to clean. The 4 bore is well over 100 pounds and my wife isn't keen on my putting it in her kitchen sink.

[OH Osthaus]

Originally Posted by Bruce P Bruner

Edgar, I don’t believe black powder caused the ruination and havoc of any vintage barrels. All of the destruction was simply a result of neglect due to the lack of cleaning after use. Some of my oldest doubles (mid 1880’s) have unblemished bores from black powder use. I suppose I am a true traditionalist, vintage doubles were made for black powder use. I enjoy the sound, the smell and the smoke.

pitting and barrel damage out lived black powder by decades - you see it in fluid steel from the smokeless age as well

IMHO - it was the residue from corrosive primers that - yes, along with the lack of cleaning it out that ate the steel.

the older the barrels the longer they were exposed to it

they actually called them corrosive because they knew