BLACK-MZ.
- Thread starter TOOT44
- Start date
- Status
hawg
Member
I think it's been discontinued. The only way you can use it in a flintlock is use a booster charge of real bp and use real bp in the pan.
BlackMZ has not been produced in years. I've not seen any old stock. Shooters Choice is said to be the same powder - if you can find it in stock.
https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/83678
I have used a lot of BlackMZ in cartridges for cowboy action shooting. I wouldn't try to use it in a flintlock. I think it was intended for inline muzzle loaders.
https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/83678
I have used a lot of BlackMZ in cartridges for cowboy action shooting. I wouldn't try to use it in a flintlock. I think it was intended for inline muzzle loaders.
hawg, thank you for the reply, to my question. I will give it a try. how much of a booster charge would I use?
Would you mind sharing your .45 colt black MZ load data/process? I have a few lbs of black mz and was thinking of loading some up.
Are you loading to a slight compression, just like regular bp?
d
alsaqr
Member
Black MZ works in flint locks but it requires 5-10 grains of black powder as an igniter charge for reliable ignition.
hawg
Member
With a 10 grain booster you shouldn't. You have to use real black in the pan.
I don't load 45Colt. I load 32S&W Long, 32WCF, 38 Special, 38WCF, 44WCF and C45S. I use .7cc in 32S&W Long with 100g bullet. I use 1cc in 32WCF and 38 Special. I use 1.3cc in all large cases with a small filler wad made from U-Haul packing peanuts. 180c in 38WCF, 200g in 44WCF and C45S. I don't use the filler was in the C45S. I don't compress. I find BlackMZ to be significantly stronger than real black powder. I use no lube on the bullets. Just casted and sized.
frontiergander
Member
#1 Black MZ is a poor powder and doesnt shoot for beans in a flintlock. I suggest you research before ever loading your flintlock.
brewer12345
Member
- Joined
- Nov 29, 2015
- Messages
- 2,751
I would not use it in a flintlock, but there is nothing wrong with the powder for other applications.
Jackrabbit1957
Member
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2018
- Messages
- 2,874
It works fine in cap guns either sidelocks or revolvers, not as energetic but plenty of oomph to do what you want to do. I did experiment with it in a flintlock pan and got it to light off about 50% of the time. You're better off with the real bp in the pan. I did not try it as the main charge in my flinter so don't know if or how it would work. Unfortunately it was discontinued several years ago. I really like it in my revolvers.
brewer12345
Member
- Joined
- Nov 29, 2015
- Messages
- 2,751
I've killed a couple of deer with it in a 24" 54 round ball gun.
Notes on loading BlackMZ into cartridges using powder measures.
Rule one. It clumps up like crazy. Often gulfball size lumps in can. Shake and break in can. The pour through a funnel with say 1/4" opening into hopper. (Catches small lumps) Only enough needed to load the cartridges in that setting. Close can.
Watch carefully that the powder is dropping uniformly into the case. It has a tendency to build up and bridge in the drop tube. Sometimes a case will get a little powder and next one a full charge plus what was left of the previous charge. Sometimes you get nothing and have to take measure off and clear die drop tube. (For just say 50 cases I just hand dip with Lee dippers.)
Rule two. Don't leave powder in your measure after your session - even if it's just to take a lunch break. Dump back into can and clean up measure and die tube etc. I have a wire brush to give die and good cleanup. Don't put it off until next session. It'll be much harder to clean up and moving parts won't move.
Rule 3. The potassium nitrate in BlackMZ will lower your blood pressure. With norm contact it may not be enough to notice. But if you do a lot of cleaning and dumping and get a lot of exposure, it can. Sometimes it kicks my butt and I feel droopy for hours after.
Rule one. It clumps up like crazy. Often gulfball size lumps in can. Shake and break in can. The pour through a funnel with say 1/4" opening into hopper. (Catches small lumps) Only enough needed to load the cartridges in that setting. Close can.
Watch carefully that the powder is dropping uniformly into the case. It has a tendency to build up and bridge in the drop tube. Sometimes a case will get a little powder and next one a full charge plus what was left of the previous charge. Sometimes you get nothing and have to take measure off and clear die drop tube. (For just say 50 cases I just hand dip with Lee dippers.)
Rule two. Don't leave powder in your measure after your session - even if it's just to take a lunch break. Dump back into can and clean up measure and die tube etc. I have a wire brush to give die and good cleanup. Don't put it off until next session. It'll be much harder to clean up and moving parts won't move.
Rule 3. The potassium nitrate in BlackMZ will lower your blood pressure. With norm contact it may not be enough to notice. But if you do a lot of cleaning and dumping and get a lot of exposure, it can. Sometimes it kicks my butt and I feel droopy for hours after.
AntiqueSledMan
Member
Hello webrx,
I've been loading both 44 Colt & 45 Colt with Black MZ.
I purchased a case of the stuff from Sportsman's Warehouse.
It is long out of production, but as stated above,
Shooters World Multi Purpose Black is about the same, only in 3F version.
It is also about the same as American Pioneer Powder.
Bibbyman was one of the guys who got me shooting reduced charges.
Here's how I do it.
AntiqueSledMan.
I've been loading both 44 Colt & 45 Colt with Black MZ.
I purchased a case of the stuff from Sportsman's Warehouse.
It is long out of production, but as stated above,
Shooters World Multi Purpose Black is about the same, only in 3F version.
It is also about the same as American Pioneer Powder.
Bibbyman was one of the guys who got me shooting reduced charges.
Here's how I do it.
AntiqueSledMan.
Attachments
what load do you use of Black MZ. in your wheel guns? as I want to try & shoot in in mine?
thank you for the PDF, I asked about your loads too soon.
Thanks!!!
I tried loading Black MZ in 45 Colt rounds but made the mistake of chronographing them. Velocity variations were from 50-100 fps in just five shots. Gave up on it until I acquired a S&W Schofield 2000. It fouled so badly with real black powder I couldn't get off 4 rounds before the cylinder bound up tightly. Before giving up completely I remembered the 1+ pound of Black MZ I still had and tried it. I put 27g by volume in 45 S&W cases, topped by either Big Lube 200g RNFPs or a cast 230g FP lubed with SPG. With the Big Lube bullets I can fire multiple cylinders. With the cast SPG lubed bullets I can at least get off 5 rounds consecutively. Then it's best to squirt some Ballistol on the cylinder pin and bushing (such as it is) before trying another cylinder.
I now know better than to chronograph these 45 S&W rounds. I'd probably be disappointed in the lack of consistent velocities and give up on the Schofield all together.
Dave
I now know better than to chronograph these 45 S&W rounds. I'd probably be disappointed in the lack of consistent velocities and give up on the Schofield all together.
Dave
First off. It's nothing like real black powder. Don't use any lube on bullets. Goopy bullet lube is what's gumbing up the works. Second, don't compress it. That's what's causing the velocity spread.
My Cimarron S&W #3 44WCF shooting black and BlackMZ loads.
After this video was made I shot two cowboy action matches with real black without a problem and no attention the whole match
AntiqueSledMan
Member
Hello Dave T,
I remember a fellow on the 1858 Remington Forum did a comparison check
on Black MZ, Volume to Weight. They varied a lot between scoops.
That is why I measure each charge on my scale before loading.
I dump a 1.3 cc dipper into my scale's pan, then dribble up to 20 gr.
Though I have yet to run them across the chronograph, one day that will happen.
AntiqueSledMan.
I remember a fellow on the 1858 Remington Forum did a comparison check
on Black MZ, Volume to Weight. They varied a lot between scoops.
That is why I measure each charge on my scale before loading.
I dump a 1.3 cc dipper into my scale's pan, then dribble up to 20 gr.
Though I have yet to run them across the chronograph, one day that will happen.
AntiqueSledMan.
- Status
