Demonstrating the SASS Minimum BP Smoke Cloud

Even though many THR black powder shooters are not interested in Cowboy Action Shooting, you may find this video interesting.

The Single Action Shooting Society has established a "minimum smoke requirement" for competition in black powder categories. Shooters trying to get an edge on their fellow competitors by reducing charges and making less smoke run the risk of having a challenge lodged against them. But many match officials don't shoot black powder and therefore don't know what the "minimum smoke cloud" looks like.

I spent a fun afternoon at the range (94 degrees, 60 % humidity!) making a visual reference of the standard smoke cloud. Since folks in this forum apparently like black powder smoke, I thought you might enjoy it.

RPRNY said:

Thanks for sharing. Interesting that there was a very distinct smoke trail behind the bullet for APP, ie unlike every other powder, with APP, there was a narrow trail through the general muzzle discharge cloud that followed the bullet trajectory. Also thought that T7 was, very subjectively, more smokey than the others.

Anyway, you were pretty quick on those 38s!

Click to expand...

I borrowed some APP from a friend to film the video. The powder looked more coarse than 2F so it may have clumped with age, giving the streamers you noted. Overall the smoke cloud volume fit in with the other powders so I figured what the heck... not worth a 60 mile round trip to the gun store and back to the range with a fresh batch of cartridges. Your comment about 777 is interesting. I thought 777 might produce a tad less smoke. Judging smoke volume is SO subjective. An insufficient volume of smoke is like Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart's definition of pornography..."It's hard to define but I know it when I see it."

That covered wagon was beautifully cruel!