Crunchy Frog
Member
Here’s my two cents as a cowboy action shooter. I’ve been using APP 3F in .38 Special for years. I use a 158 grain bullet with powder up to the base of the bullet, by weight about 11.5 grains.
Alliant Black MZ was made by APP. Only one granulation which is more course than 3F. When Sportsman’s Warehouse was closing it out at $9.99 per pound I picked up a supply. I mostly used it for 12 gauge figuring it would meter better in the MEC bushing compared to the powder measure on my metallic cartridge press.
About a year ago I added a .44-40 rifle to the safe. I decided to use Black MZ to work up a load. I charged cases with the capacity shown on APP’s website but I think it was not quite up to the base of the bullet. When I chronographed that test batch they were a little inconsistent.
An experienced shooter recommended foam caulk backer rod as a filler. I started with his recommended load, which was less than 20 grains, inserted the foam rod and cut it flush with the case mouth, and seated a bullet. When I clocked them they were consistent and the velocity was not much lower than the almost-full loads. It is not a “wimpy cowboy load”; it’s a 200 grain bullet at almost 1000 FPS.
Yes, the Black MZ often clumps in the container. Rumor has it the powder was improperly stored at one point. When I open a new one pound container I insert a wooden paddle to break up the largest clumps, then I pour some into a clear Pyrex measuring cup where it gets more stirring, then through a funnel into my powder measure. It takes just a minute. Happy to do so at the price I paid.
Alliant Black MZ was made by APP. Only one granulation which is more course than 3F. When Sportsman’s Warehouse was closing it out at $9.99 per pound I picked up a supply. I mostly used it for 12 gauge figuring it would meter better in the MEC bushing compared to the powder measure on my metallic cartridge press.
About a year ago I added a .44-40 rifle to the safe. I decided to use Black MZ to work up a load. I charged cases with the capacity shown on APP’s website but I think it was not quite up to the base of the bullet. When I chronographed that test batch they were a little inconsistent.
An experienced shooter recommended foam caulk backer rod as a filler. I started with his recommended load, which was less than 20 grains, inserted the foam rod and cut it flush with the case mouth, and seated a bullet. When I clocked them they were consistent and the velocity was not much lower than the almost-full loads. It is not a “wimpy cowboy load”; it’s a 200 grain bullet at almost 1000 FPS.
Yes, the Black MZ often clumps in the container. Rumor has it the powder was improperly stored at one point. When I open a new one pound container I insert a wooden paddle to break up the largest clumps, then I pour some into a clear Pyrex measuring cup where it gets more stirring, then through a funnel into my powder measure. It takes just a minute. Happy to do so at the price I paid.