Powder Question

[Lyle]

I usually use Pyrodex P in my navies with a 25 grain load with a round ball. I have a pound of Goex 3f available. My powder flask is almost empty. Can I safely mix the two powders sense they measure the same by volume?

 

[noelf2]

Not sure I would do that but it certainly isn't dangerous and won't harm anything.

 

[hawg]

I don't see why you couldn't. They both have pretty close to the same burn rate.

 

[Captain*kirk]

Could you? Yes. Should you? That's up to you. You might see some swings in velocity and grouping. If it was me, I'd shoot up all the Pyro first and then top off the flask with the 3F

 

[PapaG]

Agree with Captn

 

[Jackrabbit1957]

Might make the Pyrodex light off a little easier, instructions for shooting Pyrodex in a rock lock was to put 10 grains of black in first then load the Pyrodex on top of it. Some mixing is bound to happen.

 

[Malachi Leviticus Blue]

consistency is one of the main if not arguably the #1 factor in accuracy so I wouldn't suggest it unless your just using it to make noise

 

[gobsauce]

Alternatively, you could dump what you have into a coffee tin and light it. I do that with pulled duds, or with spilled powder.

Of course, it's never more than 10 grains or so outside, well ventilated, and with an old blanket to help snuff out anything.

Just for fun.

 

[Jim Watson]

Anecdote Alert: A friend made the mistake of loaning out his early (SN 1250) TC Hawken. He got it back with a bulge in the barrel from a short seated ball in a fouled bore and his black and Pyrodex in the same horn. TC replaced the barrel with their compliments and we shot it with the combined powder. EV on the chronograph was 9 fps and accuracy was as good as that barrel ever got... which was not quite up to the original.

So I think you will be OK with a mix in revolvers.
But I would burn up the Pyrodex just to get rid of it sooner and go pure black.

 

[BullRunBear]

I would just use up the Pyrodex and then go with the straight 3F Goex. In this case it might not matter but I've been reloading for a long time and the idea of mixing powders under any circumstances doesn't sit right.

Jeff

 

[Thomasss]

I don't recommend adding to what you already have. The powders have substantially different burn rates, though it might not be dangerous, but it will give you a big variations of velocity and POI. What would be better, is to create a duplex load by dropping a small amount of Goex first and then completing the charge with the Pyrodex. I do that all the time during very damp weather to ensure a good ignition. Try 2 grains of Goex and finishing the charge with the Pyrodex. That will give you a reliable ignition and consistent POI. Find a small container like an old 35mm plastic film can for the Goex and then keep the Pyrodex in the horn. You can easily squeeze the 35mm can to pour with too.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

Duplex loads and mixed/mixing powders are two different animals. I sure would not do it. Just getting a consistent mix would take a lot of tumbling, hours. Couldn't just shake it up. Could...but why???

 

[Armored farmer]

I have some advice for you, brother.
Shoot the pyrodex til its nearly gone,, dump the rest.
Buy black from here on. Its not as corrosive. Lower flash temps too.

 

[Appalachiannative]

I have some advice for you, brother.
Shoot the pyrodex til its nearly gone,, dump the rest.
Buy black from here on. Its not as corrosive. Lower flash temps too.

I couldn't agree more. I only used pyrodex when I first got into muzzleloaders because it was available. Cleaning the gun was such a pain that I put my smoke poles away for about 5 years. I then acquired real powder just by chance and gave it a try. I'll never go back