Closest thing to real BP

[SixxshootinSam]

Hey fellas,
I recently acquired a Trapper flintlock pistol, and running real low on my Swiss black powder that I got years ago.
Seems that the triple 7 powder that I have in abundance wont work in the pan at all, failing to ignite 75% of the time.
The black powder ignites immediately.

Since the real Swiss bp is a pain in the arse to get nowadays I was wondering what the next best thing is.
Any flinters out there that can chime in on a product aside from Swiss/Shuetzen?

 

[Oyeboten]

Just get some Firecrackers, break one in half, and use that Powder in the Pan.


It'll ignite just dandy from the Flint sparks, I am sure, and, do well to communicarte to the '777' used in the Bore.


Otherwise, why not just Bite the Bullet, and send off Mail Order for some 4F and 3F Swiss?


Get five or Ten Pounds or something to ease that Has-Mat fee.

 

[TomADC]

Get the real stuff: http://www.powderinc.com/index.html great people to deal with.

 

[Jaymo]

I second the Powder Inc recommendation. That's where I bought mine and they were a pleasure to deal with.

If you do use flash powder from a firecracker in your pan, be sure not to try to use it as a propellant. Not good. Way too explosive.

 

[Jim Watson]

Goex ain't bad.
I load BPCR target ammunition with Swiss, but I doubt I could tell the difference in a hunting or plinking gun.

 

[Mike OTDP]

Swiss is best, but Goex Express is reported to be comparable...at least, that's what Goex is trying for (and deserves credit for the attempt). I'd rate regular Goex second only to Swiss.

Now, with a flintlock, you're going to get best results with Swiss Null-B priming powder...then use Goex as propellant.

 

[jimrbto]

I would suggest being very careful of using the filling from a firecracker for priming powder. Modern firecracker filling tends to be flash powder for more bang and flash powder NEVER burns, it always detonates. May cause a large increase in "flinch".
Jim

 

[Bluehawk]

The chemical makeup of flash powder is the not the best for your gun...contains pot perchlorate and aluminum flake powder.
Small, loose, piles of flash powder was used for years by photographers to supply additional light to photographs and if you have ever seen it used you would see it doesn't explode....it's more of a "poof" with a bright light output.
It requires tight containment to explode or a pile large enough for it to reach critical mass.
If I remember right, critical mass is somewhere between 50-100 grams....but don't quote me on that.