Delving into homemade BP

[SgtGenDanbo]

Hi all,

I’ve just recently started getting into making my own BP. My first batch was a complete failure, but I’m working on the second now and trying to get it right. So far I’ve had trouble making my powder flammable. The first batch I think I put too much water in which probably dissolved the potassium nitrate. The second batch still fizzes but I only had it in my ball mill for a few hours so I will mill it more tomorrow and see if that helps.

The ingredients I’m using are wood charcoal from a dogwood tree I found, spectracide stump killer for potassium nitrate, and 100% organic sulphur I found on Amazon.

I’m curious about Corning my BP and wanting to know if there are any dies available and how to get one. I have a variety of muskets, rifles and cap and ball revolvers, but will mainly be shooting this out of my Brown Bess.

I know it’s a wide question, but any info on how to get a press die and if I’m using the right ingredients would help! Feeling a little frustrated from my powder not being flammable so far. Thanks!!!

 

[PWC]

Not to sell this site short...go to castboolets.gunloads.com. Thread muzzleloading/my homemade black powder. Look for posts by FLY, he has made presses and will sell them. Be prepared to spend a lot of time there, it's like getting a BA in BLACK POWDER.

 

[Big Bore 44]

^ This start at the beginning and read at least the first 190 or so pages. (that's how long it currently is)

 

[6emees]

Local gun shops haven't had any black powder for a while. Making it is illegal here where i live. So i tried rocket candy instead. Diluted 2 parts by weight of KNO3 and 1 part of sugar in 2 parts of almost boiling water, added about 2% FeO end let it cool and dry, mixing every now and then. It dried out in about two weeks forming dark red sugary crystals that could be made finer with wooden rolling pin. First test in my .36 '51 was a POP-FIZZ and .377 roundball stuck in the forcing cone. Used 1.1cc load as i would have used black powder. Second try with fully loaded chamber that was then compressed with loading lever to make room for the ball was still a POP-FIZZ but the ball went into the target. Couple of weeks later pre-made some charges with cigarette-papers toped with lube-cookie and cardboard disc. Shot
two cylinders. Some still went pop-fizz, some boomed like they are supposed to. Balls shot from about 25 feet went through double layer pvc floor-covering and through laminated particle board and got stuck in second particle board. So they had some energy in them. Some thoughts - is the mixture homogeneous enough, is it dry enough, should it be finer. Wife said she'll be going to her sisters for weekend. Feeling anxious.

 

[arcticap]

I’m using the right ingredients would help! Feeling a little frustrated from my powder not being flammable so far.

Are you mixing the ingredients by weight?

 

[SgtGenDanbo]

No I suppose I probably should. I made a small batch and measured by volume. I watched a few videos on YouTube and seemed like they were measuring by weight though. Also, thanks for the links to the castboolits page! I remember finding that years ago but totally forgot about it! I’m sure there’s plenty of good information to be found there! I will see if I can track down Fly and find out if he’s still making dies. Thank you all!!!

 

[ThomasT]

Maybe these videos will help you out.

https://gunstreamer.com/watch/making-corned-black-powder_JYaZmvV1EU7aeJz.html

https://gunstreamer.com/watch/compressing-black-powder_ayzBXtwpbuWax12.html

 

[kennysd]

BOOM! Hello Darwin book...I have a new chapter for you.

Maine Powder House...sent to your home...safely.....Ken

 

[Loyalist Dave]

...spectracide stump killer for potassium nitrate...

One of the actual problems gunpowder (black powder) had when first made in the middle ages..., was the lack of purity of the ingredients. Although the stuff got better, it still suffered from purity problems in Britain for example, well into the 18th century and the American War for Independence.

I'm thinkin' that maybe if you used rather pure, "prilled" KNO3, bought off of eBay or a place that sells bio-diesel making supplies, you might fare better with results.

LD