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Pyrodex Powder

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George C

40 Cal.
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Does anyone have any experience using Pyrodex RS powder. I have been reading a black powder manual and it said 56gr. Will occupy the same space in a powder measure as 70gr. Black Powder and will give you basically the same results. Also another muzzle loading book I have been using said it is harder to ignite and suggested that you put 5 grains of black powder down the muzzle first and then the pyrodex, said that will help it ignite better.
 
Are you sure that isn't by weight? Pyrodex was designed to be volume per volume the same as real BP. It may be off a little as in few grains but you measure by volume. I've be doing that for years. Maybe it says or is trying to say 56gr of Pyrodex by weight will do the same as or equivalent to 70gr. It is 25% lighter than BP.
 
It said that if you set your powder measure to 70 grains and filled it with pyrodex it would only hold 56 grains of pyrodex but that would give the same results as 70 grains black powder. It said the reason was pyrodex was more courser.
 
I don't use real black first... I do turn the gun drum down and give it some taps to work a little powder into the drum... Don't worry about the weight difference you are measuring by volume... 100 grains of black is 100 grains of pyrodex measured by volume... If you measure in your black powder measure or whatever you use you can use the same volume of pyrodex... Rs is supposed to be ffg equivalent.. Do NOT weigh charges pyrodex is lighter than real BP ( more shots in a pound though) I use RS in my gun 100 grains behind a lee 360 grain improved minie ball at 50 yards its a one hole deal amd really puts the hurt on deer ive heard its more corrosive but seeing as the gun has to be cleaned anyway that doesn't matter... Its cheap and easy to find so its ok with me
 
Its lighter not coarser but as black powder and substitutes aren't measured by weight that doesnt matter its 1 to 1 by volume and since it weighs less you get more in a pound so yay lol
 
Yes 56 grains of pyrodex occupies the same volume space as does 70 grains of black powder. Same volume different weights.
 
It did state you get approximately 30 more shots using Pyrodex. But my concern is it harder to ignite.
 
Yes I know to set my powder measure as if using black powder. No problem there.
 
Also another muzzle loading book I have been using said it is harder to ignite and suggested that you put 5 grains of black powder down the muzzle first and then the pyrodex, said that will help it ignite better.

That statement is intended for use in flintlocks...
 
Yes but I haven't had any issue in my caplock.. Like I said turn the gun so the drum/nipple is on the bottom lean it that 15/20 degrees and bump the back side of the area the lock bolts to with you palm.... Mostly just take a few seconds to be sure the drum has powder in it before you seat the bullet.... I don't even get hangfires like that however if my dad loads it he doesnt work powder into the drum and I can hear a hesitation between cap and powder igniting.... From what I understand it doesn't work very well in a flintlock though...
 
I've never had a problem with Pyrodex as long as I do my part. It is not intended for flint but if you have to you can put like 5 or 10 gr of black in first and the rest with Pyrodex and it will work.
 
Purists will frown but I love Pyrodex. I have Goex 2&3fg and very much prefer Pyrodex. I do not have any issues with loading between shots like I do with the Holy black, cleaning is the same process and ignition is instantaneous.
I have RS, Select and P. Mostly I use P as though it is 3f black.
 
Okay, the volume issue has been pretty well covered.

Pyrodex does have a higher ignition temperature. That is one of the reasons that the Hot Shot nipple was developed for more reliable ignition of Pyrodex. Some folks use a "magnum" cap to benefit from the higher temperature obtained from the extra priming. Others have used a nipple designed for musket caps (not necessary). In fact a nipple was designed to hold small pistol primers (really not necessary).

Whether you have problems with delays in ignition is dependent on the type of breech system you have. Some of the drum and nipple types have a very small flash channel and powder can bridge the flash channel and block the flash from the cap getting to the powder. As you see in above posts, methods can be used to get reliable ignition.

For me, the real drawback of Pyrodex and the other substitute powders is the light level of fouling compared to black powder fouling. Folks can be led to think that the light level of fouling means less rigorous cleaning. Pyrodex fouling is more corrosive than black powder fouling. Thorough cleaning is required and a good rust inhibiting lubricant is required for storage.

Substitutes are next to useless in flintlocks.

The only advantage the substitute powders have is that they can be purchased in regions where real black powder is not available for sale in the local gun shop.
 
Some caplock rifles have a harder time igniting it. Using a Magnum cap usually allieves any difficulties there. I have a Traditions Hawken and a CVA Mountain Rifle. Neither have ever had any problem igniting Pyrodex with standard caps.
 
Ghettogun said:
Some caplock rifles have a harder time igniting it. Using a Magnum cap usually allieves any difficulties there. I have a Traditions Hawken and a CVA Mountain Rifle. Neither have ever had any problem igniting Pyrodex with standard caps.

I've the same results with my Traditions caplock. I used Pyrodex almost exclusively for most of the 20+ years I've owned it and never had a problem with ignition so long as I did my part.
 
I had persistent ignition problems with a Pedersoli .32 caplock until switching from Pyrodex to 3f Goex. Years ago when I was still using Pyrodex, it worked fine in my P-H 1858 & various c&b revolvers. Since getting into flintlocks, I now find it simpler to use Goex in everything.
 
Four things will help pyrodex ignite better in your gun...

1. Using Pryrodex P instead of RS
2. Using a Hot-shot nipple
3. Opening up a regular nipple's flash hole slightly...
4. Slapping the breech towards the nipple to ensure powder is as close to it as possible.

I shot Pyrodex for almost 20 years....I eventually switched to Real Black powder and haven't looked back.
 
I have 5 pounds Goex 3--ffg and 2-- fffg and 1--pyrodex RS. I have been using the FFFg Goex.
 
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