Gad.
The formula is the same as standard Goex powders. When a powder run is completed, the process has leftover powder..., it is not floor sweepings. The company then combines the remainder powder, which is not screened and from different lots. It is a mixture of the remaining powders from 1Fg to 3Fg and as the granulations and lots vary, so will the velocities when used from a BP rifle or smooth bore.
One could, for example pour a 100 grain load that is 40 grains of 1Fg, 50 grains of 2Fg, and 10 grains of 3Fg..., and then pour a second 100 grain load and get 10 grains of 1Fg, 20 grains of 2Fg, and 70 grains of 3Fg..., and so the velocity would be different, especially with differing lots, thus making precise shooting of projectiles very difficult.
It is sold at a reduced price for living history events, as velocity doesn't matter with blanks very much.
It isn't "weaker".
It works in flintlocks.
For folks who are paying $23.00 a can for regular Goex when doing living history events and reenactments, the price of $11.00 or a bit more per can is nice.
Since the company only markets it for blanks and "recreational shooting" [plinking], I don't know how Mr. Hodgedon could characterize it as "disappointing" if it was used for what it was intended. Hodgedon products are "disappointing" in my flintlock, but that's because they weren't meant for priming my flintlock..., so it's unfair to consider those products as such when put to a use for which they were not made nor marketed.
LD