Thank you to all who responded to my last thread on Black Powder. Yes I did recently post a question on fuse placement. Mostly because I could not find a supply of rational answers in the arenas I had been searching within. This includes the resources some of you had suggested. I have been reloading for pistol and rifle for over 20 years. I read several sources for matching data, start low and work up. Loads are checked for much more than just speed and accuracy. Case deformation, deposits, percussion levels and barrel wear for example. Now with an interest in cannons, I have applied a similar approach to learning the art of "reloading" a cannon. The smaller cannons have been a great method of beta testing a lot of ballistics in relation to information gleaned from creditable source material. Agine, much of which came for many of you. However the Civil War reproduction model I made is well, kinda scary. However, in testing this weekend, the application of safe methodology really paid off! Loads were worked up with first "corks" and than re-worked with patched lead balls. 3# that I cast from my mold. It was amazing and could not have been more fun. I built every part of each of these cannons. I have never had an accident in the field or on my bench in some 20 years. Being able to shoot my own powder would be a thrill. I cannot tell you all how much I appreciate your interests and advice. I am probably the safest thrill seaker you would ever meet. thanks! CANNONMAN
Why I wanted to make my own black powder
- Thread starter CANNONMAN
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Pulp
Member
In spite of what some folks have said, you can safely make your own BP. I firmly believe if a person can follow the safety rules of reloading can also follow the safety rules of making BP. Yes large companies have had disasters, but they are also making tons of the stuff. If I had an accident with a four ounce batch I don't believe the results would be the same. I could get burned, but the neighbors have nothing to fear. Probably the most dangerous part is opening my ball mill after milling. The powder at this stage is very fine and could conceivably drift with a breeze to a source of ignition. So do it outside and away from campfires. Also read and understand the MSDS sheets on the ingredients. KNO3 does have some health hazards. Wear gloves, safety glasses and a mask. I like to make batches with 1500 grains KNO3, 350 grains of my willow charcoal. And 150 grains of S. I've never added dextrin but plan on next time. Please note, I am not dissing on folks that say don't try this at home. I may not agree with them but they are still good people.
whughett
Member
I for one thought the cannon fuse placement was a valid question. Consider the cap and ball revolver, flash is directly into the powder from the rear center, ditto as in line rifles, whereas flint locks side centered, underhammer, well underneath the charge, dueling type pistols, top, side, under. Seems the ignition placement is one of mechanics as well. After all, all front stuffers are all just miniature "cannons" in one form or the other.
As for power making, why not, there is a naysayer or two for every endeavor one might attempt, and some may even have valid objections that would apply to themselves. I researched and studied the subject for weeks before deciding it was just too much work for too little bang. Now I just order BP in bulk on line and use the time for other pursuits.
Perhaps the remark "in the back" was spoken, (typed) in jest.
As for power making, why not, there is a naysayer or two for every endeavor one might attempt, and some may even have valid objections that would apply to themselves. I researched and studied the subject for weeks before deciding it was just too much work for too little bang. Now I just order BP in bulk on line and use the time for other pursuits.
Perhaps the remark "in the back" was spoken, (typed) in jest.
frontiergander
Member
you'll blow your arm off kid! 
Rojelio
Member
Or you might blow your face off at the hip.
Thanks 4v50. Via this site I have picked up several informative reading sources. I will acquire this book and enjoy having it for future reference material. For those of you who offer only words of impending doom to my endeavors I question you as to why you would even own any black powder, black powder rifle or pistol, much less a cannon. It seems to me you may consider that you are drawing your own line in the sand defining where safety starts and stops. If you can definitively show me, that is something other than your feelings, thoughts or "an" occurrence, that there exists a dramatic increase in the danger of this endeavor.
"Positive results favor the endeavors of the prepared mind." CANNONMAN
"Positive results favor the endeavors of the prepared mind." CANNONMAN
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Yeah... I love the fact that so many here think that since they can't do it, won't do it, terrified by change or experience, that no one else should do it either. This is the mind of the liberal progressive in politics, the mind of the sheltered in black powder.
I trust in your endeavor.... for I follow...
Aloha...
brushhippie
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- Jun 22, 2011
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It is not so difficult...DO NOT BE AFRAID! We are here to help....as I was helped before me when everyone said we would all die in a giant fireball...this is a tradition...and by damn Im passin it round! I have posted this MANY times...this will give you an idea about how easy BP will ignite. http://www.ctmuzzleloaders.com/ctml_experiments/sparks/sparks.html
I always thought making black powder was way over my head. After watching the Hippies video I thought to myself i can do that. I made my first batch just to see if i could do it. Then i started shooting it in my revolvers i like my powder better than any powder i have ever bought. No measuring needed i fill the chambers all the way with powder and seat the balls. I load my walker, Armies , Navies and my 31 pocket Colt this way My powder is very accurate and shoots very clean.
olafhardtB
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- May 8, 2011
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- 393
Four ounces huh. That is about the size of the sample that took off the hands of one of my associates. The first job I had after I got my degree in chemical engineering was running a lab in an ordinance plant. Now I am retired after working with poisons, toxic gasses, superheated steam, high voltage, explosives, etc for decades. I can tell you in my expert opinion that people who think they can manufacture explosives at home safely are wrong. People who have done it without incident are lucky. Much of what we know about explosives is the result of sudden injury or death. I know you won't listen and you have confidence in what you think you know but you don't know what you don't know.
Yeah... and people shouldn't build airplanes at home either. But I've a question for you... have you ever heard of someone blowing themselves up making black powder or fireworks at home? The purpose of equipment is to do it safely.. ball mills and instruction.. the danger and warnings are provided every step of the way... and I think that people follow instructions who embark on these ventures, much more so than those that just fuss with black powder guns... of which I know of many who have had incidents and injury.
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