Refining "Reenactor" black powder to more uniform size?

[Bibbyman]

For the last month or so I've been playing mad scientist with potassium nitrate, charcoal and sulfur. I'm getting usable results but it's laborious, dirty, time consuming task. I'm upgrading my equipment in small increments and refining my process but still not very productive.

Why bother with doing this? The times we're in and the times we may be facing my make this experiment something necessary.

Anyway, my experience has gotten me thinking. Reenactor grade black powder is still available locally at a reasonable price. I now have experience and screens to sifting and sort my cracked pucks.

Is their any problems just sorting the Reenactor, re-cracking the big chunks, re-pucking the fine dust and ending up with a size averaging about FFg?

 

[arcticap]

Someone recently screened a pound of Reenactor powder on Castboolits and posted the results. SEE THE LAST POST --->>> http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?417765-Grafs-Goex-renacator-powder-update

Mentioned in the thread was that Back Creek Gun Shop was selling 25 lb. bulk bags of Goex 3F for $17 per pound.
IDK how recent it was but Jack's Powder Keg also used to sell it that way.
However they now list Jack's Battle Powder in 3F for $16 per pound by the case with shipping included.
It may not have graphite since the website says that it's for blanks, fireworks and pyrotechnics.
Folks would need to call for details such as if it comes in single containers or a 25 lb. bulk bag.
It could take 4-6 weeks for delivery, but if it's already screened Goex 3F then it might be worth the wait.

Back Creek Gun Shop --->>> http://www.blackpowderva.com
Jack's Powder Keg --->>> https://www.jackspowderkeg.com

 

[Bibbyman]

I've used Grafs Reenactor in about everything and it works. Probably the best use is in shotgun shells for Cowboy Action Shooting. But it's not going through a flask or powder measure - at least not well.

I tested it against BlackMZ.



Prices Bear Creek and Jack's look plenty good. You think they actually have it in stock?

I've been spoiled with having Grafs and MidwayUSA in my neighborhood. I never worried about stocking up as they always had a good supply.

 

[Carl N. Brown]

I think of the reenactor grade black powder as BP blank powder.
I don't believe it's unsafe for use in ML or cartridge, but I don't think it is as consistent as rifle or pistol grade BP for precise target shooting results.
I still have some Goex, Elephant, and Swiss BP and common BP substitutes.
If I run out and there is still a BP shortage, I may have to rethink reenactor BP.

 

[ThomasT]

If you have the screens why not just screen out the really big stuff and and can the smaller material. Then break up the bigger chunks into smaller sizes and let it go at that? By the time you do all the extra work it would have just been better to of spent a little more and bought a better grade of powder. Do you have a flintlock you can use the finer dust like size in for pan powder? Maybe save the dust size and add to your homemade powder.

Forgot to mention but I liked the video. I have 4 pounds of BlackMZ and wish I had bought several more pounds when it was selling for around $10 a pound. I don't know if its even made anymore. But if it is I bet its not that cheap.

 

[arcticap]

I agree with ThomasT.
Every pound of BP contains a percentage of fines, so the Reenactor won't have any more fines than 2F or 3F, even after you crush up some of the chunks.

Jack's is located 100 miles away from Goex in Minden, LA, so he probably receives orders all of the time.
Just give them a call or send an email with questions, Jack's has a contact page.

It's probably 3FA powder instead of 3FG.
And maybe he puts in the order and Goex needs time to package it with his label.
3FA should still burn cleaner and faster than Reenactor.
Ask a lot of questions and then pass along the info. to the folks here, even if you don't buy any.

 

[Bibbyman]

Forgot to mention but I liked the video. I have 4 pounds of BlackMZ and wish I had bought several more pounds when it was selling for around $10 a pound. I don't know if its even made anymore. But if it is I bet its not that cheap.

Thanks for watching my video. I did two more comparing BlackMZ with Goex ffg and canon.





I still have at least 10 lb of BlackMZ and maybe 2-3k of ammo loaded. So with a few pounds of black, I'm not out of powder. Just that I'm kind of holding my inventory in reserve. I'm shooting the "home lab" powder here on my range during the winter.

Shooters World is supposed to be like BlackMZ only more than double the price. I keep meaning to pick up a pound to compare.

https://www.grafs.com/catalog/product/productId/83678

 

[44 Dave]

We sometimes order powder together. One of us got a couple pounds of reenactor powder to blow a beaver dam. I saw the video, and it worked very well!

 

[Bibbyman]

We sometimes order powder together. One of us got a couple pounds of reenactor powder to blow a beaver dam. I saw the video, and it worked very well!

The guys at Grafs tell me not to tell them that you're going to use it as an explosive.

 

[44 Dave]

When I was a kid they still sold dynamite in hardware stores. Then "wackos" started blowing up buildings.

 

[TheOutlawKid]

When I was a kid they still sold dynamite in hardware stores. Then "wackos" started blowing up buildings.

...i grew up in the wrong era. :-(

 

[TheOutlawKid]

Thanks for watching my video. I did two more comparing BlackMZ with Goex ffg and canon.





I still have at least 10 lb of BlackMZ and maybe 2-3k of ammo loaded. So with a few pounds of black, I'm not out of powder. Just that I'm kind of holding my inventory in reserve. I'm shooting the "home lab" powder here on my range during the winter.

Shooters World is supposed to be like BlackMZ only more than double the price. I keep meaning to pick up a pound to compare.

https://www.grafs.com/catalog/product/productId/83678

I realy LOVE and MISS BlackMZ. Its the only sub i liked and the price was phenomenal at only 10 bux a jar at sportsmans warehouse. The shooters world is like APP...which is nothing like BlackMZ. The ingredients are similar but performance is lacking. Alliant really let go an amazing product.

 

[ThomasT]

I wish I had of learned about BlackMZ a little sooner. I would have a bunch of it stashed back. If and when the crazyness dies down I will most likely order some of the Shooters World powder just to give it a try. I wish there was someone close to me who would like to split and order. I have a bud who will split orders for smokeless powder but I'm good on smokeless. I would like a little more real BP.

What i would really like is for someone to develope a BP sub that would just barely smoke, was non corrosive and didn't need to be cleaned immediately. Thats a powder I could get behind. And if its was affordable like BlackMZ that would be the icing on the cake.

 

[Bibbyman]

What i would really like is for someone to develope a BP sub that would just barely smoke, was non corrosive and didn't need to be cleaned immediately.

That sounds like the old Unique and Javalina lube. When I first started Cowboy Action Shooting, I was using up some old Unique. My bullets were lubed with Javalina. People would ask, are you shooting black powder? The new Unique and coated bullets hardly any smoke is produced.

 

[arcticap]

What i would really like is for someone to develope a BP sub that would just barely smoke, was non corrosive and didn't need to be cleaned immediately. Thats a powder I could get behind. And if its was affordable like BlackMZ that would be the icing on the cake.

BlackHorn 209 fulfills some of those wishes but it's not considered to be affordable.
It does need a 5 grain booster charge for use in C&B revolvers with percussion caps.
No one has reported using it yet with the MagSpark 209 nipples designed for the ROA.
This video shows how much it smokes when loaded into .45LC cartridges.
If you skip through the video it shows different angles and wind conditions.
BH 209 powder became popular enough for Hodgdon to buy the brand.
It costs $3.80 per ounce if bought in a 10 oz. container, but in 5 lb. containers it costs about $3.35 per ounce, or $53.60 per pound.
It's extremely fluffy powder.

 

[ThomasT]

BlackHorn 209 fulfills some of those wishes but it's not considered to be affordable.
It does need a 5 grain booster charge for use in C&B revolvers with percussion caps.
No one has reported using it yet with the MagSpark 209 nipples designed for the ROA.
This video shows how much it smokes when loaded into .45LC cartridges.
If you skip through the video it shows different angles and wind conditions.
BH 209 powder became popular enough for Hodgdon to buy the brand.

I'm not going to use any powder that needs a booster charge especially in a revolver where the cap flame goes straight in to the powder charge. And you're right. It is expensive. I think its going to be hard to ever beat good 'ole BP. Thanks for the video.

One powder I really need to try is Triple7. I saw Grafs has it in stock. I just need to decide if I want to spend the bucks to buy 4 pounds of it to make the shipping and Hazmat worth it. Thats why I need someone to split the order with.

 

[arcticap]

One powder I really need to try is Triple7. I saw Grafs has it in stock. I just need to decide if I want to spend the bucks to buy 4 pounds of it to make the shipping and Hazmat worth it. Thats why I need someone to split the order with.

You should be able to find 777 locally.
Cabela's always used to sell it, or see if a gun shop can order some for you, and ask them how much it will cost.
They pool the orders if they're ordering other hazmat items anyway.
Graf's isn't selling it at a discounted price.

 

[ThomasT]

Graf's isn't selling it at a discounted price.

You got that right. I rarely go to Cabelas. I have one 30 miles away and they are no bargain either. But I have 30 pounds of real BP on hand now and around 8 pounds of subs so its not a "gotta get it now" thing for me. If I go to Cabelas I will see how much they want a pound and maybe pick some up. All I want it for is my Pietta NMA. The rifles work just fine with BP.