Powder choice

[WALKERs210]

It has been since the late 80's that I have even looked at a black powder fiream. The last one I had was a 45cal Kentucky long rifle that I really enjoyed. In process of getting a Hawkins 50cal rifle, Thompson Center I belive is the brand. 99% of my shooting will be targets and teaching my grandson how to shoot these. The last Powder I uses was black powder and just started with Pryodex, memories of the BP was a half a day cleaning the guns. Pryodex was cleaner and required just a few more grains of powder. So what I need is information on the best powder for the 50cal rifle mostly using Minnie balls or the occasional round ball with patch. Some one want to chime in and tell me the direction, and who's, why's I need to go. Sure hate to waste a lot of powder and time to refresh my brain cells. And GOT TO IMPRESS MY9yr OLD Grandson.
thanks

 

[Smokin_Gun]

Good posting ...I like that 99% with the Grandson. Get yourself some real Black Powder local or mail order from Powder Inc(google it).
Have fun with that Hawken .50(great choice) and Grandson(Priceless).

 

[mykeal]

BEST powder is still the real stuff; Goex is most plentiful and popular; Swiss is cleaner, more powerful and quite a bit more expensive; KIK is less expensive than Goex and a bit dirtier.

I don't recommend substitute black powders for your sidelock. Real black is available mail order if you can't get it locally, but small amounts are quite expensive that way due to the $22 per order hazmat shipping tax. So, if you decide to go with a substitute...

My first choice would be Hodgdon's Triple Seven in ffg granulation. It's quite a bit hotter than real black and should be loaded at 85% of the black powder load by volume. A close second to 777 is Pyrodex RS; load it the same as real black. Another substitute that some report good results with is American Pioneer; I've never used it and so have no recommendation.

 

[stash]

Hodgon fffg

Gander Mountain and Basspro carries the Hodgon fffg and ffg. for about 27.95 a pound. If you have a local store you can save on Haz.Mat. shipping.

Stashu

 

[Hawkeye748]

The real BP is best of all for performance. Use it. There is a solution for cleaning BP that will cut your cleaning time tremendously. Equal parts of Alcohol, Hydrogen Peroxide, and Murphy's Oil Soap. Use it liberally. I think you will be surprised how easy the gun will clean up. Use a good gun oil or you will get some minor rust after cleaning.

If you are one of those that want to keep a "seasoned" barrel, stay away from this mixture. It will cut the seasoning out rather quickly.

 

[flintlock62]

You can order KIK powder from Powder , Inc. for $10.50/lb. That price is a month old, do I do not know if it has changed. You have to purchase 25# ti get that price, but it's worth it in the long run. KIK burns cleaner than Goex, and Swiss is the best, but much more expensive.

 

[Cowboy2]

My T/C Hawken loves Triple 7 ffg. Me, I like that it only takes 10 minutes to clean after a day of shooting, using nothing but patches and cold water. I'll leave all the scrubbing and witch's brews to the BP purists.

 

[flyingdog]

My T/C Hawken loves Triple 7 ffg. Me, I like that it only takes 10 minutes to clean after a day of shooting, using nothing but patches and cold water. I'll leave all the scrubbing and witch's brews to the BP purists

I use the same powder as Cowboy2 for my T/C Hawken .50 also. But, I use a cleaning method prescribed by Joe Hepsworth.

Clean your rifles the same day as you shoot them - got that? Clean them!!! Forget the super new cleaners and the super claims - use hot water with dish washing liquid, remove the barrel from the stock, remove the nipple, put the breech end in a bucket of hot, soapy water and pump it through the bore. Then dry the bore and outside of the barrel. Oil with Ballistol liberally and you'll be O.K. Don't forget to remove the oil before you load again - you will not have a corroded bore and will enjoy many years of usage.

 

[Sagetown]

I'll go along with Joe Hepsworth's cleaning method. That way I know my guns will be good to go next time out. I don't like to be surprised with corrosion. As for the American Pioneer Powder. It's not as hot as the other sub's, and it leaves an oily residue which does help to keep the revolvers working. But like all the black powders and substitutes, one needs to give the guns a thorough cleaning after using.

 

[WALKERs210]

Should have my T/C here by Tuesday if the creek don't rise. Thanks for you input and for reminding me about the cleaning after using BP. My late wife would really and I mean really get POd at me for putting rifle barrels in the bath tub for their bath. Thanks again