LESSON FOR NEWBIE #1

leson for Newbie#1
What is Black Powder?
It's an explosive powder used for hundreds of years as a propellent from rifles to cannons.
It is not a modern powder which is much more powerful..
My Uncle Charlie does a lot of reloading for his cartridges. Some of his powder he uses is black or very dark brown. Can I use that in my Muzzleloader?
No, Definitely not, With Bells ringing. The steel in your rifle is not the kind that can withstand the more power modern powders and very likely will cause your rifle to blow up and ruin your or possibly life. BE SURE YOU ARE USING BLACK POWDER OR A SUBSTITUTE FOR BLACK POWDER.

A M E N..... :applause:

Very good information. Regarding the steel used for muzzleloaders-opposed to the "stronger steel" apparently used for smokeless guns - If that's the case though, I've often wondered why muzzleloader manufacturers wouldn't just simply use the stronger steel?

I've got all kinds of muzzleloaders (Rifles, pistols, shotguns, and even a couple of those modern "Unmentionable non-traditional types"). None of them can handle smokeless powder. And, frankly I prefer good ole BP but I am curious why manufacturers wouldn't just use stronger steel, if for no other reason but to stave off the numbers of ignorant folks that have learned the hard way that you don't use smokeless in a BP fiream.

Is it because, regardless of the steel used, perhaps its the breech plug that would still not withstand the pressures of smokeless?

Recently, Ive seen a company online that produces basically a drop in breech plug for modern break-open shotguns so the owner can use it like a muzzleloader. My only point in mentioning this is that obviously those guns for which they are now making these drop in breech plugs were manufactured with modern "stonger"(?) steel and we're designed to shoot smokeless shotshells. Having said that, is it simply the breech plug that is the primary issue?

I'm not at all interested in turning a BP firearm into a smokeless one at all. No thank you...Just trying to understand the metallurgy argument regarding BP steels vs. Smokeless steels, and - if they are in fact different steels - why muzzleloader manufacturers wouldn't just simply use the stronger steels in an effort to eliminate any potential darwinian award winning injuries and/or liabilities?

Regarding the steel used for muzzleloaders-opposed to the "stronger steel" apparently used for smokeless guns - If that's the case though, I've often wondered why muzzleloader manufacturers wouldn't just simply use the stronger steel?

Click to expand...

Simple...., cost.

The steel that we use in the black powder barrels holds below 20,000 copper units of pressure (cup) in rifles or handguns, while for example modern cartridges are FAR in excess of that. .44 magnum handgun cartridges have a max cup of 36,000. Modern rifles are often well above 40,000 cup. The British .303 cartridge began as a black powder load..., it evolved when cordite was chosen as it's new smokeless load, and today has a 45,000 cup max pressure. The tiny .223 Remington has 52,000 cup. :wink:

It's not just the cost of the steel itself..., you have to factor in the cost of the cutting tools wearing out much faster on the much stronger steels used in modern barrels. Not just the bore, but machining the outside as well, and we use octagonal barrels a lot. Lots easier to do straight round.

So the barrel makers could make muzzle loader barrels out of steel suitable for smokeless powder, but when it isn't necessary and with the market share for us being sooo small compared to modern barrels, it doesn't make sense.

LD

Dutch Schoultz said:

BE SURE YOU ARE USING BLACK POWDER OR A SUBSTITUTE FOR BLACK POWDER.

Click to expand...

I would be very cautious and specific when mentioning a " SUBSTITUTE FOR BLACK POWDER"

Many of the black powder substitutes today are not designed or intended for traditional muzzleloaders....And no substitute is designed for use in a flintlock.

It is also notable to have a proper granulation too.