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Baiscs--101

<div class="IPBDescription">How do Iload Black Powder</div>Howdy folks,<br />
<br />
Black Powder--also known as Gun Powder--was the olny powder man knew for centuries. First discovered by the Chinesse, who only used it in fireworks for centuries, once in Europian hands changed the world and warfare.<br />
<br />
Unlike the smokeless powders of today, Black Powder is a true explosive. Modern day powders are quick burning and create pressure as they burn, Black powder creates all it's force at the explosion. what this basically means is Black Powder goes off all at once. This, instant eruption, creates forces that must be understood. Formost of these, in bullet form, is that Black powder must be compressed.(I.E. No air space in the shell) If your loads are not under compression, it can, and does, act like a barrel obstruction. This is never a good thing. Another difference between Black Powder and smokeless powder, is that Black must always be messured by volume and not by weight. Many companies sell a volume messuring device, It is a must before ever loading a single shell. 20 grains of Black Powder is way different then 20 grains of smokless!<br />
<br />
Next, with Black powder there are different grades of powder. For the most part, these grades deal with the fineness of the powder,or, if you will, how thick the individual pieces of powder are. Here is a basic rundown on grades:<br />
<br />
1F this would be what is called Cannon Powder. It is very thick and course. (You'll have no need of it)<br />
2F This is much less course, it makes a good rifle or shoot-gun load<br />
3F This powder is even finer then 2F---mostly used in pistol loads<br />
4F this is the finest. It's only real use is in flintlocks---this is another one you won't use<br />
<br />
Our next thing to concider is primers. Black powder is easy to ignite. therefor, standard primers will do for anyloading we might use in Cowboy Action Shooting. <br />
<br />
OK, lets load up a round. Using whatever you like, deprime the case. Once the primer is removed it is always a good idea to clean out the primer pocket. This insures a good seating of the new primer as well as insures that the primer hole is not blocked. this can be done with a cleaning toll, or a small screw driver which is rotated in the primer pocket. Once this is done, seat the new primer. (Make sure the new primer is fully seated and not sticking out beyond the case. Next, using your volume measurer, measure out the desired amout of Black Powder. Use a funnel to place the measured powder into the case.<br />
:NOte----Black Powder is best used with metal funnels and measures. Plastic can cause statice electrity!<br />
Static Electricity, under some conditions might creat enough spark to ignite Black Powder<br />
<br />
The easiest way to load the case is with enough Black Powder to fill it up. The reason for this is that, when seating the bullet, you compress the powder and eliminate any dead airspace. One thing to remember is, the more powder you use, the greater the smoke created on ignition. (But the pressure on ignition will not realy increase due to more powder. (Unlike smokeless powder.) Like most every other load, recoil will increase with more powder. (bullet weight also effects recoil) So, one may ask, what if I want less recoil?<br />
ere is a trick you can use. Measure out the Black Powder, and place it in the case. Next place a cardboard wade on top of the powder, pushing it down by hand. (a pencel works well for this--the wad can be cut out of a shootgun shell box either by hand or with a punch at the size of the Cl shell you will be using.) Add on top[ of that wad a filler, cornmeal works well. Fill up the rest of the shell with the filler, then seat the bullit on top of that.<br />
<br />
You now have a ready to fire Black Powder round. But there are still a few tricks you may want to concider.<br />
<br />
Cleaning after firing Black Powder is simple--you use soap and water! Black Powder creates a resiu in the weapon. It can harden up and make clean up a chore. The easyest way around this is the use of lube. Some shooters dip the bullet, after seating, into a liquid lube. Liquid lub, once removed from the pan cools quick and will coat the outside of the bullet. another methode is to cut cookies of lube and place them within the brass case. Hee you use less fill, or Powder depending on which you prefer. Either way, you again place a wad over powder, or fill, and then the cookie. Bullets can be seated directly on top of the lube cookie without any worry. AS the bullet passes thruogh the barrel on firing, the lube is deposited in the rifling making clean up easier.<br />
<br />
Making lube cookies is a simple matter. Here is what I use:<br />
1/2 Crysico<br />
1/2 Bees wax<br />
1 tablespoon of any cooking oil as a hardener<br />
<br />
Melt the mixture in a pan. while melting, heat another pan with water. Pour the liquid lube on top of the hot water and allow to cool. For acutter to make the cookies take a brass shell and remove the primer. Place a small nail through the primer hole, head side inside the shell. this will allow you to remove the cookies from the case. use this cutting device to create the perfect size cookies for the cal you will use.<br />
<br />
Personally, I prefer the cookies to the bullet dip. Cookie do not infect the powder at all. Dipped bullet tend t pick up dust and grit, which can harm the rifling. Also, diped bullets can have the lube removed during the loading process. <br />
<br />
Well, there you have it, it's not half as complicated as it sound. You will enjoy the shooting, for it's exactly the way the ole Cowboys did it. It fun, and may I say addictive!

Comments

  • Tex,<br />
    <br />
    Can you tell me if is a difference between Goex Pinnacle (sp) and just Goex.<br />
    <br />
    I found some Goex at Gander Mountain and like to buy and us it in my new 45-70.<br />
    On the can it says "Goex Pinnacle" and it is a 2F. Is this the right powder?<br />
    <br />
    So Pinnacle or just Goex. What it is?<br />
    <br />
    Thanks.<br />
    <br />
    BSM
  • dddd Gnome, gnome on the range&#33;
    BSM,<br />
    <br />
    Goex Pinnacle is a black powder substitute, not real black powder. Substitutes are not known for consistant, accurate performance in long range shooting. Real black powder is much better.<br />
    <br />
    <img src='http://www.goodguysposse.org/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':D' /> <img src='http://www.goodguysposse.org/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':D' />
  • dd wrote on Apr 25 2006, 08&#58;46 AM:
    <br />
    BSM,<br />
    <br />
    Goex Pinnacle is a black powder substitute, not real black powder. Substitutes are not known for consistant, accurate performance in long range shooting. Real black powder is much better.<br />
    <br />
    <img src='http://www.goodguysposse.org/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':D' /> <img src='http://www.goodguysposse.org/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':D' /><br />
    <br />
    <br />
    Thanks DD.<br />
    <br />
    So I should look for Goex and nothing else on the label.<br />
    Is that correct?<br />
    <br />
    BSM
  • dddd Gnome, gnome on the range&#33;
    edited April 2006
    Last I heard, Bass Pro in Gurnee had Goex. Gander quit carrying real black powder several years ago due to the storage requirements. Don't bother to look around the Chicago area as you probably won't find it. Saguaro Kid might have more current information than I have on where to get it.
  • edited April 2006
    I can sell you a pound if you want to save on gas. I had to drive out past Rockford to get it.<br />
    <br />
    Mine is some good K Swiss (the real black and said by some to be really good stuff) I bought it for 45-70 I don't remember the coarseness, but it's a good size. <img src='http://www.goodguysposse.org/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':D' />
  • Saguaro KidSaguaro Kid Stick It In Your Ear
    Also, Mike if you want you can get Goex at GAT Guns in East Dundee. Just north of the Tollway on Rt. 25. It will probably cost more than Bass Pro.<br />
    <br />
    SK
  • edited April 2006
    Dastardly Dan wrote on Apr 25 2006, 05&#58;02 PM:
    <br />
    I can sell you a pound if you want to save on gas. I had to drive out past Rockford to get it.<br />
    <br />
    Mine is some good K Swiss (the real black and said by some to be really good stuff) I bought it for 45-70 I don't remember the coarseness, but it's a good size. <img src='http://www.goodguysposse.org/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':D' /><br />
    <br />
    <br />
    Thanks Dan.<br />
    <br />
    How much and what will be the "prescribe " loading procedure?<br />
    <br />
    BSM<br />
    <br />
    PS Great looking tables. Thank you for the time and effort you put in.
  • Saguaro Kid wrote on Apr 25 2006, 06&#58;41 PM:
    <br />
    Also, Mike if you want you can get Goex at GAT Guns in East Dundee. Just north of the Tollway on Rt. 25. It will probably cost more than Bass Pro.<br />
    <br />
    SK<br />
    <br />
    <br />
    Thanks SK.<br />
    <br />
    I think I'll try Bass Pro.<br />
    <br />
    BSM
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