Recommendations for a BP substitute for a .44 1851 Navy Pietta brasser?

Brass I'd stick with real black, those felt lubed wads are nice for lighter load to.

Pyrodex, in my opinion, it measures and cleans the same as black powder.

Stick with the holy black. Pyrodex, while it does go bang, is much more corrosive and abrasive than the real deal.

I am in the same situation as the OP. Real black powder is very difficult to find locally. I would stay to Pyrodex and load light. Since it's a brassser make sure the barrel to cylinder gap is around .002, thanks to Theoutlawkid for that advice, it should last you quite a while. Is it a Colt or Remington?

BP is available thru the net, Graf and sons’s for instance sells Schutzen, rebranded as their own for 17 bucks a pound, as well as the higher priced brands. Haz Mat and shipping of course adds up, but the more you order the less that adds to it.

Find a cowboy action match close to home. There should be some blackpowder shooters in attendance, probably some vendors if it’s a big match. I think any substitute will have a higher ignition temperature than real blackpowder; sometimes you will get a “ pop-bang” delay between the cap and main charge with a substitute.

Link to list of Arizona cowboy clubs and websites. Each club’s match schedule should be on it’s website:

https://www.sassnet.com/clubs/Clubs_list.php?state=Arizona

777 may be the most energetic sub. powder since it's about 20% more powerful than other powders.
It produces sharper recoil which can be harmful to a brass frame if the powder charge isn't reduced.
But it's one of the easiest powders to clean since it doesn't contain sulfur.
20 grains of 777 would equal about 25 grains of other powders.
If you can keep the charges light and under ~20 grains, then 777 is a good clean powder to try.
And you would also get more shots per pound of powder.

whughett said:

BP is available thru the net, Graf and sons’s for instance sells Schutzen, rebranded as their own for 17 bucks a pound, as well as the higher priced brands. Haz Mat and shipping of course adds up, but the more you order the less that adds to it.

Click to expand...

I think it's goex now, the graf stuff.

Personally id just make my own powder if i were you. Its fun and easy...but if i have to use store bought then id use Old Eynseford!! Its just as strong and clean as swiss...buuut if you want a sub then use 777, i stay away from pyrodex. Its the worst. Especially in a humid environment. It has a sticky corrosive fouling that sometimes requires two or more cleaning sessions. Way more corrosive than black powder and rusts metal a whole lot faster...not to mention the shelf life is questionable and varies...especially since you dont use it often. Once opened it starts degrading. So not cost efficient to keep replacing a can you didnt get to finish. The degrading varies too...depending on storage conditions...even indoors if the cap is on the bottle it is not air tight and humidity and temperature still affect it. So one day its full force, another day its maybe 1/4-1/2 strength and sometimes even just squibs. Can you tell i hate the stuff? I miss BlackMZ. Stick with real black powder or 777 if you must use a sub...or just make your own

The Pietta - Traditions revolver manual recommends a minimum of 22 grains of powder without using a wad or filler.
So 22 grains of 777 would allow for the ball to be seated in contact with the powder unless a filler or wad is used under the ball. --->>> https://www.traditionsfirearms.com/data/product_owner_manuals/BPRevolver_manual_1362674422.pdf

I started shooting black powder 0ver 40 years ago I bought a 51 CVA brass frame Colt kit for 30.00 it was out on a shelf at Scotty's Bait and Tackle next to it were cans of black powder and caps. A lot has changed where I live you can only have one pound of black powder. I was making my own powder for a while I stopped if caught I could get in trouble with the law not worth it. I shoot BP when I can find it the rest of the time I shoot what I can find. I don't want to pay HazMat and shipping on one pound of powder. I have shot a lot of Pyrodex with no troubles. Back when I cleaned with water I would blow them out with air then I would clean again using a solvent.

Where do you live? Its not illegal to manufacture ur own powder and primers in the u.s.

All though there are a whole lot of fake info online etc that scare people into not attempting. Its not an issue so long as you dont sell it

It is legal to make one-pound or less of BP without a permit. But you are responsible for making it using OSHA standards. If you have a fire that could be a problem.

Been shooting Pyrodex for lot of years. If you clean as you should with any powder it's fine. Only issue I had was the occasional hang fire using RS. Switched to P and never have any issues. I clean with soapy water. Dry thouroghly and light oil till next shoot or heavy oil for storage. Not a big fan of brass frames but do thing the brass now a days is better quality than of 40-50 years ago. Personally don't like brass on over than 36 call and still at low end loads to save on the recoil shield.

Mike 56 said:

It is legal to make one-pound or less of BP without a permit. But you are responsible for making it using OSHA standards. If you have a fire that could be a problem.

Click to expand...

OSHA only cares about employers and employees. Nothing else matters.

Just buy a bunch of real BP online and even if it's a lifetime supply, don't sweat it.

Mike 56 said:

It is legal to make one-pound or less of BP without a permit. But you are responsible for making it using OSHA standards. If you have a fire that could be a problem.

Click to expand...

If someone is a homeowner in a locale that has many restrictions, I could see them being concerned about their home insurance coverage, and not just about local law enforcement.
Even if a person rented their home, not everyone wants the liability of violating local codes.
Especially if they have a job that requires a high level of responsibility, such as if they work for a defense contractor or law enforcement, a legal profession, education or for the gov't..
Why do they want to risk blemishing their police record or losing their security clearance?
Think about it.

In Ca it is a felony to have more than a pound of black powder without a permit. With a permit, you can have five pounds. You can't even give or sell it to anyone it is a felony too. Hopefully, I can move to a free state soon. We have a background check to buy ammo I hand load most everything I shoot I went to buy some 5.56 and was asked if I have bought a gun in the last five years lucky for me I had bought an AR15 lower.

Yikes CA?! No wonder...that states crazy with gun laws...laws period. Ill only live in two states...texas and alaska due to them dumb laws.

Arizona for me, constitutional carry state, no ccw required, also no restrictions on powder as far as I know and remember.

We have friends in Idaho. I like Arizona and Texas are both too hot for us we are old with health concerns.

Why not just locate the nearest source of BP, even if it's a couple of hundred miles away.
Then, plan a fun road trip around this destination and buy 5 pounds or whatever.