what if we run out of gun powder?
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mickeygrimreaperblueeyes
Member
I would say that we aren't out of gunpowder till we are out of human ingenuity. You can make anything you set your mind to. But, it's all the quality control onto your end.
CHEVELLE427
Member
WONT BE IN OUR LIFE TIME
might get were we cant afford to buy it
might get were we cant afford to buy it
walker944
Member
Welcome to the forum.
From a quick search of the Google machine: "Gunpowder is formed from the chemical mixture of saltpeter (potassium nitrate) at 75%, sulphur 10 % and charcoal 15%."
So, it looks like the answer is....just make more!
From a quick search of the Google machine: "Gunpowder is formed from the chemical mixture of saltpeter (potassium nitrate) at 75%, sulphur 10 % and charcoal 15%."
So, it looks like the answer is....just make more!
Jorg Nysgerrig
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I think you'll find that is black powder. Smokeless powder is different.
I'm not sure what the OP means by run out. There aren't really gunpowder mines where they just scoop it out of the ground. As far as the ingredients for smokeless powder, I don't think we are in danger of running out of those anytime soon.
Ret.CWO
Member
That is true JORG you beat me to it.
General Geoff
Member
black powder can be made by anyone who knows enough about chemistry to understand handloading.
smokeless powder is a different animal, but as long as there's demand, there will be outfits that make it.
smokeless powder is a different animal, but as long as there's demand, there will be outfits that make it.
bluetopper
Member
We are far more likely to run out of food than out of gunpowder.
It won't happen.
I have several pounds of powder and many thousands of primers and bullets.......I'm not worried.
It won't happen.
I have several pounds of powder and many thousands of primers and bullets.......I'm not worried.
InkEd
Member
We'll cremate Keith Richards and use him. Surely, with all the stuff he's put in hs body over the years his ashes will be highly flammable..... or at least smokeable.
Since simple chemistry is used to make smokeless powder the question seems somewhat confusing and unrealistic.
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Justin
Moderator Emeritus
Oh noes!
We've reached peak gun powder!
We've reached peak gun powder!
millertyme
Member
Anyone ever read Comac McCarthy's Blood Meridian?
bushmaster1313
Member
No problem
Gunpowder works based on the expansion of hot gas following rapid combustion of the powder.
There is enough hot air coming from both sides of the aisle in Washington, D.C. to power however many guns we could ever have.
Gunpowder works based on the expansion of hot gas following rapid combustion of the powder.
There is enough hot air coming from both sides of the aisle in Washington, D.C. to power however many guns we could ever have.
R. Deckard
Member
Dont you remember the episode of "Star Trek" where Kirk dumps the coal and sulfer and other ingrediants in the hollow log to make a cannon and kills the alien? 
Deckard
Deckard
bushmaster1313
Member
I think he only stuns the alien and his mercy in not killing it saves the Enterprise
mustang_steve
Member
Welcome to the high road.
My take is, everything can be produced, however the quality of production is only as good as your gear.
I suspect you amy be talking about some future where we cannot sustain our supplies, in which case revolvers would be king for one reason: we'd have to make our own black powder once again. Semi-autos may have cyclic problems with such powders, and it would definately foul the bejeebus out of them.
Black powder is not the safest thing to make, but it's the easiest thing to make, and can be made from ingredients around the house. It is a smelly process however, and the process of making the saltpeter would be outright hazardous if you do not have an indirect heat oven of some kind.
Thing is, man has thought of these things in the past, so look back to the pioneer days, then move forward to the smokeless powder era and it will all start to make sense.
My take is, everything can be produced, however the quality of production is only as good as your gear.
I suspect you amy be talking about some future where we cannot sustain our supplies, in which case revolvers would be king for one reason: we'd have to make our own black powder once again. Semi-autos may have cyclic problems with such powders, and it would definately foul the bejeebus out of them.
Black powder is not the safest thing to make, but it's the easiest thing to make, and can be made from ingredients around the house. It is a smelly process however, and the process of making the saltpeter would be outright hazardous if you do not have an indirect heat oven of some kind.
Thing is, man has thought of these things in the past, so look back to the pioneer days, then move forward to the smokeless powder era and it will all start to make sense.
I think its a great question, personally. He obviously wants to learn...so question asked and answered. Plus any query that allows us to reference the old episodes of Startrek is pretty darn awesome!
Remember the one where the fried-egg monsters that lived on the ceilings flew down and messed with Spock? Give me tribbles or give me death say I...uh, ok...sorry.
Remember the one where the fried-egg monsters that lived on the ceilings flew down and messed with Spock? Give me tribbles or give me death say I...uh, ok...sorry.
oldfool
Member
just take up archery
and shoot those flying pigs with arrows
(but "when pigs fly", should you use 357 mag arrows, or 44 mag arrows ??)
and shoot those flying pigs with arrows
(but "when pigs fly", should you use 357 mag arrows, or 44 mag arrows ??)
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If it ever comes to the point where no gunpowder is available, I'm sure someone will come up with an alternitive. Human beings survived thru the ages by using their brain. Human ingenuity is limitless.Human wisdom is somewhat less.
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