Video, Making and screening Black Powder

[brushhippie]

I had made a video a few months ago explaining making black powder, it was suggested I make another video and actually make the stuff, so thats what I did, this covers mixing, grinding and screening Black powder followed by a burn test at the end. Give it a try its fun and inexpensive!
http://youtu.be/AUVo_hOadyc

 

[LeMat1856]

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nice job, looks like a winner !
what "grade" do you call it (FF, FFF, etc), what do you use for charcoal, and how good/bad is the average fouling durin' shootin' ?

~grapeshot~

 

[Dan Carey]

Both video's are very good.

 

[brushhippie]

Thanks guys! The 16 mesh will give you FFF, I use Black Willow charcoal and it is a bit dirtier than Pyrodex.

 

[Majes]

Thanks a lot, very informative in deed! Always enjoy your videos.

 

[BADUNAME30]

Now that right there is jist 'bout as cool as all git out. I never imagined it was that easy to roll yern own.
Where did ya order yer 'parts' from ?

 

[brushhippie]

This is one of many sites where it is available but I believe it to be the cheapest
http://www.hobbychemicalsupply.com/servlet/the-Chemicals/Categories

 

[Sam1911]

Well...I've been saying I don't need a new hobby. But there's always room for one more, right?

Really great stuff!

 

[BADUNAME30]

This is one of many sites where it is available but I believe it to be the cheapest
http://www.hobbychemicalsupply.com/s...als/Categories

thanx bh,'preciate the info.
I believe i'll give this go this winter.
Mmm..tho i 'spect it aint a fireside hobby lol


Do i want the anti or no anticake potassium ?

Oh, and do i want the 36,80, or air float charcoal ?

 

[Pulp]

I've made several batches, one turned out horrible, but most work pretty good.

What is the purpose of the dextrin? I've never used it.

 

[BADUNAME30]

What is the purpose of the dextrin? I've never used it.

It's a binder Pulp.
Maybe not usin it is why yer batches jist"work pretty good". ?

 

[brushhippie]

I have done it without binder and it works, it just breaks down to fine powder with little handling. there are other binders .....but my professor tells me not to experiment he has done all that already! .....ok boss!

 

[frontloader]

brushhippie, good job!! I just made my second batch. the first batch was faster. I didnt use any binder on the first two batches. but this next one I will use 5% dextrin. the first batch was faster than Goex in my 58 Remington. about 100 fps faster!! I said,they aint nuttin to this!!. second batch was 100 fps slower....Ill get back on track with the dextrin added I hope......frontloader

 

[sjohns]

which chemical would you change the amount of to make it faster?

 

[brushhippie]

You cant change the mix, the only variable is the charcoal and Black Willow is very fast and readily available at many hobby chemical sites. http://www.hobbychemicalsupply.com/servlet/the-Chemicals/Categories
Very cool loader! Nothin to it man! Feels good dont it?.....castin too?

 

[Rojelio]

brushhippie, have you chronographed any loads in your pistols to compare with commercial powder?


Roger

 

[brushhippie]

No Roger I have not. Im just really getting the quality I was looking for, but I do plan to do so, I would like to know the numbers myself. The main reason I started making it was inability to get it locally and my unwillingness to pay a ridiculous hazmat fee.

 

[Rojelio]

I hear ya, brushhippie. I've only found one place in San Antonio that sells Goex and it's 23.00 a lb. plus tax.

I've been making it with farm grade KNO3 (which is pure potassium nitrate fertilizer), Wettable garden dusting sulfer(90% pure), and making my own charcoal.

Even pressing into pucks (20,000 lb. press) crumbling and screening, I'm still not getting the same density as Goex. By volume my powder weighs 4 or 5 grains less than Goex(for a normal pistol charge in my 1860).

In my 1860 Army, I'm getting 700 fps with my homemade and I get around 900 fps with Goex. If I used equivelent weight and not volume, I might be getting closer.

BTW my stuff is costing me around 1.00 a lb. to make. I figured up making it with ingredients from your supplier and with shipping it will still only cost under 3.50 a lb. to make (using my own charcoal). It my be worth a try to make some with lab grade materials and see if it makes a difference.

My best velocities was with grapevine charcoal. I cut some black willow. Gonna try it next.

Roger

 

[brushhippie]

yea in this form it must be weighed, or you can do like I do and fill the cylinder level full, (might be 15 grains?) in my .36 Remmies, they like em just fine. I need to get me a digiscale really, to know what the loads actually are.

 

[St8LineGunsmith]

Good Job on the videos brush hippie!

can you do aa favor and post the amounts of each chemical including the dexter

I failed to write it all down when I was watching the videos

or if you have a link to the the recipe of ingredients would be good too

I might have to give making my own black powder a try

 

[Rojelio]

75% KNO3 (potassium nitrate), 10% sulfur, 15% charcoal.I use 3% dextrin some people use 5%. All by weight not volume.

 

[brushhippie]

Thank you Sir, Sure, it is 75% KNO3 15% charcoal and 10% sulfur then add 5% of your total weight in dextrin. My mix for my little tumbler is in grams, 150,30 and 20 then 10 grams of dextrin.

 

[Rojelio]

Yes, I, too enjoyed the video. Especially the part where you lit some off. I love burning black powder.

BTW, I love the Ozarks. I've been through there a couple of times and ya'll sure have some beautiful country up there.

Roger

 

[St8LineGunsmith]

thanks guys I have this thread bookmarked for future refrence.

 

[KSUJedi]

What do you use to store your homemade black powder? Can I use empty plastic Hodgdon canisters from pyrodex/smokeless powers (assuming of course all smokeless powder is cleaned out)?

I've seen various instructions for using water vs alcohol for wetting/balling the powder prior to screening, pros/cons of each?