Making my own pyrodex pellets.. Possible???

[cerF]

I know they sell pre-made pyrodex pellets, but they are very expensive. Does anyone know a way to press your own at home with powdered pyrodex?? Pyrodex isnt pressure sensitive like black powder, so I dont think it would be much of a safety concern. I was thinking of mixing in a bit of hairspray with some of the powder and pressing them into a 15 grain mold, but figured Id get some advice from you guys first.

Has anybody tried to do this home made pellet thing before???

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Omnivore]

First; welcome to THR!

Well...aside from any possible chemical reactions with your binder that might or might not be an issue, if all you're going for is the ability to load quickly without measuring powder at the range, you might consider using paper cartridges.

You don't say if you're loading for a revolver or for a single shot. With a single shot you can use one of the many "quick shot" type loaders. TC (Thompson Center) and others sell them in various configurations. They carry a pre measured charge, ball and cap in one package, a bit like a modern version of the Civil War era paper cartridge, only much better.

If you have a revolver, the consumable paper cartridges detailed in the sticky on this section, "Black Powder Essentials" are worth a try. If you have a Colt pattern revolver, you could try a paper cartridge with powder only, 'cause the Colts have a bit a hard time taking a full cartridge due to a lack of room. The latter is essentially a single "pellet" measured to your exact desired charge weight, but without having to fuss with binders and their possible effects on powder combustion.

I've had some Pyrodex pellets in one of my possibles bags for years, but aside from being illegal where I hunt (it's loose powder only here) they still have to be carried in tubes. That tube could just as well be a Quick Shot tube with a pre measured charge of loose powder in it, or it could be a comsumable cartridge. Therefore, personally I see no real gain with the pellets.

I really don't want to rain on your parade and I'm sorry for coming off that way. If you want to experiment, I'm all for it. Just be careful, measure your results, and be sure to let us know how it turns out.

 

[cerF]

Its for a single shot CVA Wolf muzzle loader. I am well aware of the other quick loaders on the market, I just wanted to make my own and save some money.

another question..I also have some red dot shotgun powder that my dad used for bullet reloads. Would this be possible to use in my CVA if i dropped down to say...5 grains?

 

[arcticap]

PROPELLANTS
NEVER USE ANY QUANTITY OF SMOKELESS POWDER IN
ANY MUZZLELOADING RIFLE! The use of smokeless powder
in your muzzleloader will create dangerously high pressures upon
ignition which will likely lead to severe injury or death to the shooter
and bystanders. The use of smokeless powder will immediately void
the warranty.

BASIC MUZZLELOADING NEEDS
LOADING ACCESSORIES
• Blackpowder or an approved blackpowder substitute NEVER use
any amount of modern smokeless powder in any muzzleloader.

See pages 5 & 6:
http://www.cva.com/pdfs/Optima_Wolf_Manual.pdf

 

[RyanM]

Absolutely never use smokeless, unless you're attempting to remove your hands and fingers.

Also, maybe you could try making paper cartridges out of rolling papers. Don't put a bullet on one end, and you'd have something pretty similar to a pellet.

 

[TimboKhan]

I know next to nothing about BP shooting, but I do know that using smokeless powder, even at a reduced loading, is an open invitation for Bill Engvall to walk up to you and say "Here's your sign". Of course, you wouldn't be able to take your sign given your lack of functiong and existing fingers, but still...

Don't do it. Repeat, don't do it.

 

[Harve Curry]

When Walmart has their sale at the end of hunting season you can get pellets pretty cheap.
That said, pellets of any maker are not as effiecent as their equivalent in loose powder. Pellets are convienent.

 

[Dithsoer]

Actually you can make Pyrodex pellets with just water. I've made them before with a dowel rod and a section of pvs tubing of the proper size. I add a pinch of black powder first in the tube to assist combustion since it has a lower combustion temperature. An even better method is to mix a little dextrin or even sugar to the water that you are going to use. One can make pellets that are extremely hard and can not be crumbled with your fingers this way.

 

[zxcvbob]

What would be interesting is to make blackpowder pellets -- use a hydraulic press (a screw press might work) to squish mill dust until it fuses into a puck, like you were going to corn it, but make the pucks the right diameter for the bore and leave them whole.

I have no idea if it would work, but I think it should.

 

[Zoogster]

until it fuses into a puck, like you were going to corn it, but make the pucks the right diameter for the bore and leave them whole.

Too compressed and you end up with what is essentialy a rocket engine that combusts in layers rather than rapidly like you want.

That is even more of a concern when you start adding binders.
You start getting closer to making a bad rocket engine rather than a good gun powder.

 

[.50cal]

'Paper only' cartridges shoot better than pellets, just pinch the end till it breaks open and starts to pour into the cylinder when tipped in. I've seen homemade pellets before,50% fizzled then went off maybe because of the lack of the hole in the center????? to much pain for no gain and the chance of getting hurt or worse.

 

[JCT]

Check here for some star tooling. In pyrotechnics, stars are pressed out of moistened start compositions using the tool and a mallet or hand pressure.
You could use lightly wetted Pyrodex and a BP prime to help ignition. Look at the star pumps. I have some of his rocket toolings and comet and crossette pumps, all high quality tools.
http://www.wolterpyrotools.com/?page=catg&cat=stars

 

[RyanM]

That is even more of a concern when you start adding binders.
You start getting closer to making a bad rocket engine rather than a good gun powder.

Glue it to the base of the bullet and enclose the whole thing in a cardboard tube rather than using a patch.

Problem solved!

 

[scrat]

i have too always thought about it. Sounds like its wortha shot. water tube measure mix compress. let dry.

 

[Ifishsum]

In addition to a black powder coating on the rear, the pellets usually have a hole through the center to aid in complete ignition - 2 reasons they don't ignite reliably in side lock guns.

Oops, I see .50 cal already mentioned that.