MagnumDweeb
Member
[Not Legal Advice, Not Chemistry Advice, Do Not Reproduce or Attempt to Reproduce]
I started making my own black powder and have had some great success. I used to be a chemistry major before I became a legal studies major back in college (wanted to be a Pharmacist, became a lawyer). I've gone through the ATF's website and haven't been able to find a lot of "Do Not" when it comes to explosives that is actually helpful. On one hand it's okay if it is for only your personal consumption for target shooting and it is properly stored in the appropriate magazine type (essentially small amounts [less than ten grams] are safe to be stored in ammo cans because they can potentially prevent injury).
My main interest is in Red Phosphorus, Potassium Chlorate, Nitric Acid, Sulfuric Acid, Ammonium Nitrate, Nitrocellulose, Nitroglycerin, DDNP, and collidons for purposes of ammo propellants. I haven't experimented and won't even buy the materials to experiment with (constructive possession). For black powder, as long as it is for propellants it's okay. Essentially no storing in cardboard containers or otherwise obvious explosive use containers (yet exploding targets are okay [Tannerite]). Absolutely no mention or interest in anything else.
I've got the ability to buy some fugly Ruger .357 blackhawks (ugly exteriors, good bores) and want those to be the test guns with .38 Special.
So I'm going to send out a source letter on what chemicals are legal to own on a federal level (states will differ, I imagine no homemade ammo in states like NJ, MA, Ca.), and in what amounts.
I make my black powder in really small amounts. I tested the danger of the black powder in the mortar I bought for it and found I can safely make up to one hundred grams at a time, that should it ignite, I won't be facing anything other than some nasty burns I might have to go to the hospital for (no lost fingers or eyes).
For potential smokeless powder purposes the amounts will be even less. I don't plan to make more, or store more, than fifty grams at a time for safety purposes.
I'm doing this to prove to myself it can be done than for any other reason. If it can be done legally then I work on experimenting with urea and nitrocellulose (to reduce the incidiary effect) and adding graphite.
I'm curious to see what happens when, at a .38 Special load for a 158 grain SWC, when the powder weight is made up of Nitrocellulose, petroleum jelly, graphite, and urea. The real trick will be creating insoluable nitrocellulose.
My aim is to prove in even a powder absent marketplace (too many competing purchasers, and price crazen sellers) that some semblance of smokeless powder and primer can be produced. I've successfully tested thirty six black powder catridges with cast .356 125 grain SWC. I might also tinker with .22lr, for some reason I tons of spent .22lr brass.
Does anyone have anything to contribute?
I started making my own black powder and have had some great success. I used to be a chemistry major before I became a legal studies major back in college (wanted to be a Pharmacist, became a lawyer). I've gone through the ATF's website and haven't been able to find a lot of "Do Not" when it comes to explosives that is actually helpful. On one hand it's okay if it is for only your personal consumption for target shooting and it is properly stored in the appropriate magazine type (essentially small amounts [less than ten grams] are safe to be stored in ammo cans because they can potentially prevent injury).
My main interest is in Red Phosphorus, Potassium Chlorate, Nitric Acid, Sulfuric Acid, Ammonium Nitrate, Nitrocellulose, Nitroglycerin, DDNP, and collidons for purposes of ammo propellants. I haven't experimented and won't even buy the materials to experiment with (constructive possession). For black powder, as long as it is for propellants it's okay. Essentially no storing in cardboard containers or otherwise obvious explosive use containers (yet exploding targets are okay [Tannerite]). Absolutely no mention or interest in anything else.
I've got the ability to buy some fugly Ruger .357 blackhawks (ugly exteriors, good bores) and want those to be the test guns with .38 Special.
So I'm going to send out a source letter on what chemicals are legal to own on a federal level (states will differ, I imagine no homemade ammo in states like NJ, MA, Ca.), and in what amounts.
I make my black powder in really small amounts. I tested the danger of the black powder in the mortar I bought for it and found I can safely make up to one hundred grams at a time, that should it ignite, I won't be facing anything other than some nasty burns I might have to go to the hospital for (no lost fingers or eyes).
For potential smokeless powder purposes the amounts will be even less. I don't plan to make more, or store more, than fifty grams at a time for safety purposes.
I'm doing this to prove to myself it can be done than for any other reason. If it can be done legally then I work on experimenting with urea and nitrocellulose (to reduce the incidiary effect) and adding graphite.
I'm curious to see what happens when, at a .38 Special load for a 158 grain SWC, when the powder weight is made up of Nitrocellulose, petroleum jelly, graphite, and urea. The real trick will be creating insoluable nitrocellulose.
My aim is to prove in even a powder absent marketplace (too many competing purchasers, and price crazen sellers) that some semblance of smokeless powder and primer can be produced. I've successfully tested thirty six black powder catridges with cast .356 125 grain SWC. I might also tinker with .22lr, for some reason I tons of spent .22lr brass.
Does anyone have anything to contribute?