Black powder or Black powder substitute

[Rick Riddell]

Was curious what people were using for black powder or black powder substitutes.
Do you find there are any major differences using either?

[6pt-Sika]

When I loaded non smokeless in my hunting muzzleloader I used a variety of things . But never true black or Pyrodex . I used stuff called Black Canyon which eventually changed to Cleanshot and finally went under . I used this stuff because it had no sulfur or the normal corrosive properties of BP . After Cleanshot I went to Hodgdon 777 and it worked very well for me . The no sulfur powders I mentioned were quite easy to clean , in actuality all you needed was tap water and patches . I’ve taken all three of the non sulphuric powders I mentioned in unburned form then put water on them and they dissolved . Once or twice I forgot to clean my ML after the season having fired it but set in the corner for a month or two . Water and clean patches clean it right up with no rust .

[James L. Martin]

For me I use Blackhorn 209 in my inline and For loading 38-55 , 45-70 , 45-90 , 50-110.

[Rick Riddell]

Great information guys thank you. So I think my goal this year is to load up some BP loads in brass shells. I’m hoping to find a non corrosive substitute with load data. There are so many choices I’m just not sure which way to go.

[charlie cleveland]

I ve used home made black powder that works very good in any thing pistol and shotgun...just dirty..i use water and stainless steel brush for cleanup....that stainless steel brush is the thing for dried powder in the barrel...777 is a good stout substiue for black powder....charlie

[Stan Hoover]

Originally Posted by James L. Martin

For me I use Blackhorn 209 in my inline and For loading 38-55 , 45-70 , 45-90 , 50-110.

I prefer Blackhorn in my Cooper inline muzzle loader as well, I guess I'm being a sissy, too lazy to clean

[Joe from MO]

BH209 in my Inlines, and real black in my Flintlock and caplock guns.

[Rick Riddell]

Is there any preference for loading shotshell?

[Cold Spring]

Originally Posted by Rick Riddell

Great information guys thank you. So I think my goal this year is to load up some BP loads in brass shells. I’m hoping to find a non corrosive substitute with load data. There are so many choices I’m just not sure which way to go.

I use commercial or homemade BP loaded into thrice-fired Federal papers - first shot is the factory load, then twice as regular reloads with smokeless usually IMR 700-X powder, a personal favorite in papers. A third reload in Federal papers usually develops pin burn holes above the base and that's the one I load with BP, fiber wads, bare shot and a regular pie crimp. and then discard the hull after firing. After shooting the black powder shells on a course or at a tourney, I'll shoot two regular smokeless shells thru each barrel which greatly aids in the cleanup.

It's my understanding that Triple 7 powder uses a different oxidizer that's more energetic than the nitrate in BP. Anyone using/planning to use Triple 7 is well advised to stick with loads that are published by its manufacturer.

[Jay Oliver]

I like using the real stuff. I have used Goex for years, which is good. I have used Old Eynesford in 1 1/2f for 10 gauge loads, which I like.

Lately though, I have switched over to Swiss powder as it is a little hotter and cleaner than Goex. I use this in my 45/70s, 44 Russian, 45 colt, paper sharps, cap and ball revolvers, muzzleloaders and of course in brass shotshells for my Parker hammer guns(for which I use 2f).

Lot's of good loading resources online. There is nothing like shooting a double with a Parker hammer gun and black powder brass shotshells, which is what it would have used when new