Is Pyrodex, Black Powder?

[possom813]

I just picked up a Cabela's .54 Caliber Rifle. It says "Black Powder Only", is Pyrodex considered black powder in this application?

 

[rodwha]

Yes. Loads in equal volume. Pyrodex P (Pistol) is 3F and Pyrodex RS (Rifle/Shotgun) is 2F.

 

[rcmodel]

Pyrodex isn't black powder.
It is a substitute for black powder.

What they are telling you not to use is smokeless powder, as used in handloading cartridge ammunition.

rc

 

[possom813]

Thanks rc and rod, only the second bp rifle I've owned, the first one came with a lot of the 777 pellets, I shot them up and sold the rifle

But I've been hankering for another one and bought this one today from a buddy that's had it setting in a closet for 10 years or so.

When I measure the loads, do I weigh them out, or get the little brass keychain thing and measure it with that?

I don't know what the brass measure thing is called and I'm too tired to think of better terminology right now.

 

[possom813]

I don't know what 2F and 3F mean rod?

And what would be a good charge for a ball? I used 100grs on the .50 caliber I had.

 

[rcmodel]

2F, 3F, etc is the size of the granules of different grades of black powder.
Used for different uses.

See this about that:
http://www.goexpowder.com/goex-black-powder.html

rc

 

[T Bran]

I measure all of my charges by volume with the little adjustable brass measures.

To be honest I've never considered weighing the charges as I doubt that the substitutes would be the same weight by volume.

Have fun.
T

 

[EljaySL]

Right, these things are standardized by volume and not weight.

re: amount of powder... you would typically shoot groups at 5 grain increments and just go with whatever's the most accurate. In theory you might try 55-100 grains but to start you might go with 70 until you get the hang of the thing and break it in a bit. Seems like a lot of .54s like something in the 70-80 range.

This kind of adjustable measure is very handy: http://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/85/1/MAS-200

 

[J-Bar]

My .54 Thompson Center Hawken likes 85 grains of 2F under a patched round ball.

 

[rodwha]

Did your rifle come with the paperwork? If not you ought to call them.
I'm assuming it is a sidelock/flintlock rifle that probably has a max load of 100-120 grns of powder.
Here's the max load for a Lyman's rifle. Though different it ought to be similar.

.535" RB 120 grs. 2Fg or 100 grs. 3Fg
335 gr. Sabot 110 grs. 2Fg or 90 grs. 3Fg
450 gr. Maxi 110 grs. 2Fg or 90 grs. 3Fg

The powders don't weigh the same, but weighing your charge can get you more consistent. I.e. fill your measure to volume you want (80 grns), which, for the sake of argument, weighs 71.2 grns. You know that 80 grns volume weighs 71.2 grns weight of your specific powder, and can weigh your charges if you want to be more precise.

 

[ridgerunner1965]

if yu have acess to real black powder yu may like it better. id start out with 80 grs by volume of 2f. and work up from there going by accuracy.real black will be cheaper if you can get it. i just bought 25 lbs from a supplier for 12 buks a pound.yu may not need that much but it lasts forever.