Why is there still Pyrodex?

[Fatelvis]

Im not being snotty here, I just always wondered this: If you're not going to use REAL blackpowder, and choose to use a substitute, why not use one that is non-corrosive, like Clean shot, Black Mag or others? Pyrodex and 777 and others, are still corrosive,(I know, I have a slightly pitted SS Old Army from it), dont give off any more smoke, or give better accuracy (that I see), than the "clean" variety, so why use them? Im interested in what you guys think, thanks-

 

[Third_Rail]

Over 18 but under 21 BP substitute, relatively cheap, available in your area, the list goes on.

 

[Beartracker]

Most BP shooters are not concerned with the corosion of one powder or another because they keep there guns clean just as you do with Goex or Swiss or any other BP.The biggest concern is what powder shoots best with the type of shooting you want to do. Some powders work better with balls than conical and vice versa. Some give you more bang than others , some create more speed and preasure and some are more consitent load for load than others.

 

[Steve499]

Also I would imagine it still exists because there is a market for it. A lot of retailers don't carry real black powder any longer but still carry substitutes. Pyrodex was the first substiute for black powder I remember seeing and it's name recognition is probably the most well established of any of them.

Steve

 

[Niner]

If it works...and available

Pyrodex P is about the only available powder for black powder pistols at any local level. At least it seems that way. Who wants to sink a lot of money in what would amount to more money than any one BP pistol they have in order to purchase pistol powder through the UPS system... considering the upcharge for shipment?

I have both Pyrodex and BP for my rifles... and I favor the real thing too.. but if you have a pistol and want to shoot it , Pyrodex makes sense as to what is available.

 

[stevelyn]

Pyrodex and the other substitutes are classified as flammables or propellants.
Black powder is classified as an explosive. As such, our "friends" at BATFEces and DOT seem intent on regulating bp out of existence by enacting burdensome licensing, transport and storage regulations.

 

[Beartracker]

Another thing is that after my Goex supplier shut down due to age and health I had to look for powder for my C&B Revolvers . All I can find within 100 miles is the Pyrodex "P" and the good thing about it is that it's the same price as my Goex was , about $14.00. The 777 and some others are $24.00 to $28.00 when and if you can find them.
The Pyrodex "P" shoots great in my Revolvers , cleans up easily and has a little more "bang" for the buck .

 

[mec]

so far, it is the best substitute out there for my revolver loads. I've ordered some pinnacle to try too.

 

[MCgunner]

Pyrodex is cheap and available. On a recent stop by the only gun shop in 150 miles that handles any powders, the stock was 777 and Pyrodex. 777 was 22 bucks a can! I clean my weapons, even smokeless ones, after every use. That's much more important to do with a black powder gun. It's a PITA, but necessary. My rifle, I take apart and put in the bath tub and soap up with dish soap and scrub the bore with a wire brush and dish soap. The revolvers I can take apart and do in the sink. The stainless Old Army I used to have, I'd take apart and put in the dish washer. That one was easy!

 

[Carl N. Brown]

I have used a lot of Pyrodex RS, much Pyrodex P and some 777.
Triple Seven is more accurate in carefully measured loads with
consistent levels of compression. Pyrodex RS is more forgiving
of sloppy loads: results are more consistent with inconsistent
compression of the load, within reason. 777 is a good BP cartridge
powder; Pyrodex RS is a good muzzleloading powder. Or at least,
that's been my experience so far.

 

[mec]

A week or so ago, somebody posted that his dealer had said that pyrodex was going to be discontinued. This upset me enough to contact Hodgdons and I was told that Pyrodex is definately not going to be dropped from production.

It was just a case of a dealer who did not have Pyrodex and did have H777 wanting to excuse himself for sloppy marketing and off-load a can of 777. It reminded me of a clerk in a store here 40 years ago who had failed to re-order .22 rimfires. I was a kid and not worth the truth so he told me. " Twenny-twos are eeeeeeeelegal! The farmers don't lack'em because they kill cows."


pyrodex results

 

[gremlin_bros]

bp vs. pyrodex

i prefer bp over any subtitute but real blackpowder is becomming harder and harder to find right now i have to drive 50+ miles to get it so i buy enough of it to last a long time i will use bp as long as i can find it then i guess i will have to make myown i have done this in the past it takes time but is kinda relaxing and fun. i find i get more even preasures with bp over pyrodex whitch equils to better accuracy. btw i shoot a 54 hawkin

 

[mec]

I've just put in an order to Graf's for a couple of pounds of Goex Pinnacle. The powder comes to 39 dollars and another 20 for hazmat. They also sell Goex black powder at a bit less per can than the substitute. I may try an order - I think four or five pounds may be minimum of black powder in the future just to see if it works. If so, it may be a fairly painless way to get the stuff.

 

[TexasRifleman]

I love 777 and the way it cleans up, but it's horribly inconsistent in a revolver. Pyrodex is the same thing every time.

Until someone comes up with a combination it will have it's place. I have an interest in the new Pinnacle but have not had enough of the stuff to find out for sure yet.

Til then, Pyrodex is the choice.

 

[Beartracker]

Mec, Let us know how you like that Pinnacle. Looked all over for it around here and there isn't any to be had. From what I have read it's all been mixed reviews but you have that with everything

 

[mec]

one guy said its made for goex by american pioneer. Darker in color and alledgedly "hotter." I plan to give it a broad testing out.

 

[cbsbyte]

I wanted to add, that in some states, like Mass there is a restriction to 1Lb of Black Powder at any one time without having to apply for a special permit. Due to the expensive licensing requirment most gun stores do not carry BP. It is near impossible to buy BP in Mass, unless you can find a well stocked store or buy out of state. We are better off that there are a varitiy of BP subs out there in the market place to choose from in different price ranges. In Mass Pyrodex, and 777 are easy to find in most gun stores. The other brands, like APP, and Goex Pf are unheard of in most smaller gun stores. Special ordering is time consuming and can be expensive since you will pay the shipping fee through the dealers price. And it is almost impossible to buy powder online since the Attorney General has sued most online companies that sell ammo, and powder etc to Mass residents for not having a place of business in state.

 

[zahc]

I still use Goex. As long as I can keep using my wonderlube/Bore Butter, there's no reason not to...I haven't cleaned my muzzleloader in 3 years now.

I guess substitutes would be useful for inlines/'modern' muzzleloaders.

 

[Crosshair]

Pyrodex is good for cheap homemade fireworks. Since M-80s are banned, people have to make their own now. (There are quite a few people that do it and only the dumb ones loose fingers.) I don't make them, though using Pyrodex in a mortar to shoot a flaming tennis ball is good fun.

 

[frosty]

Pyrodex

I have been shooting Pyrodex P in my Old Army...My only complaint is that it burns quite dirty. It seems to be the same in my in-line with Pyrodex pellets, as well as when I used 30 gr. pellets in my revolver. I agree, it is definitely more consistant than H777 in my Ruger, but the fact remains that good old-fashoned black powder is still a great propelant.