How much less energy can I expect with Schuetzen powder verses GOEX?

You may want consider one of these powder testers if you can find one for sale.

https://www.dixiegunworks.com/index...312,318,321/product_name/PH0541+POWDER+TESTER

When I was a little boy my daddy taught me about anvil shoots. He said he always got far away from them. He used to be sent out alone to blast stumps and pull them away with a mule, beginning at age 7. He taught me well how he did that, but I've never had the opportunity or need. If done right, there's no pyrotechnical excitement in it.

Maybe a testing device could be cobbled up using a pistol in a solid mount and a plate to receive the blast that would swing an attached dial of sorts. I know, it's a bit too Rube Goldberg.

OTOH, the same thing could be accomplished with a chronograph.

longcruise said:

Maybe a testing device could be cobbled up using a pistol in a solid mount and a plate to receive the blast that would swing an attached dial of sorts. I know, it's a bit too Rube Goldberg.

OTOH, the same thing could be accomplished with a chronograph.

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Not sure how well an anvil would work with my personal chronograph set up. Please explain your setup for checking anvil velocity. Photographs appreciated.

SDSmlf said:

Not sure how well an anvil would work with my personal chronograph set up. Please explain your setup for checking anvil velocity. Photographs appreciated.

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It's really quite simple.

SDSmlf said:

Not sure how well an anvil would work with my personal chronograph set up. Please explain your setup for checking anvil velocity. Photographs appreciated.

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This test could be more that just a little rough on a sky screen.

The velocity of the upward travel isn't the issue. I will try to make my point a little better without making the post look like "War and Peace"
Where as I do this sometimes in towns or communities, Every shot must be predictable and repeatable so the same protocal of being so far away from buildings and people is viable. With my demonstration the charge was made up to give the highest vertical travel and the lowest blast ratio so that the blast of the charge still gives the most air time and therefore the longest audible ringing of the anvil. Anything more that that just causes the pressure curves to move out further and not get anymore loft of the anvil.
The first launches to be in close proximity (500 ft) of people was all worked up and photographed with high speed cameras. There is a lot more going on than meets the eye. You can see the initial blast and fireball on high speed before the anvil lifts of the launcher. That was cool to see and also helped me to figure out pressure waves.
I think I will start over with the new powder at about 10% increase in volume. The high speed photography is expensive but so are accidents and law suits.
We are still trying to finish up farming so when that comes to lower level I will see if my young people will help me put a video up.

Old Shepherd

When I chrono'ed my Flintlock Pedersoli Scout (.50 28" barrel) I was only getting a little over 1300 fps using 3f Schuetzen. Goex is supposed to be about 300 fps faster for a similar barrel and set up. Last weekend I had to put 100 grains of 3f to get it up to mid 1500's. Maybe I lost a bit because I was shooting a flintlock, but either there is something about the rifle or the powder that made it shoot so slow.

kyron4 said:

I just used up the last of my Goex and cracked open a can of Schuetzen , I don't have a chrono, but it felt the same and shot to the same point of aim. If there is any difference in velocity I couldn't tell. The Schutzen did seem to foul less though.

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This has been my exact experience between Goex and Schuetzen. With a 50 yard zero I can readily switch between the two powders with no sight change. I'd also give a very slight nod to Schuetzen for a bit less fouling residue.

longcruise said:

I never launched any anvils but given that it's a spectator display, I doubt anyone will notice any difference if thereisany. I'd just go with 10 oz. Your audience will surely be thrilled regardless.

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I spoke with my older brother today. I appreciate and value his wisdom and advice very much. What he said was almost word for word what Longcruise said. I only have enough 1F Goex for 4 more shots. I start that with a 1oz charge of FFG Goex. I am going to order a case of Schutzen and load the same until Goex is available sometime " June ish"of 2023. Anything in a city limits will be shot with a Schutzen powder charge that is supposed to be of less energy and therefore as safe as before.
Brother says "I appreciate your very scientific and mathematical approach to things in general, but sometimes you over think things"
Thank you to Longcruise and all who responded to my query.
Respectfully,
Old Shepherd

I used to have only Goex, got a few cans of Schutzen and I can see no difference at all and agree a bit less fouling. I wont go back unless Goex is less. JMO

OK Folks,
I am going to try to put up a video of an Anvil Launch that was taken about 10 years or more ago at my Uncle's Wake. Hope you enjoy it.

Nothing yet.

TDM,
I backed out of the forum, and even out of the whole Muzzleloading forum. Then brought it all back up and my last post shows a picture and says attachment on it. I clicked on it and it played the video.

Old Shepherd

Old Shepperd that was impressive!

I've seen virtually no difference between Scheutzen and standard Goex other than Scheutzen being a bit cleaner.

Mind defining "shooting a lot of powder"? My consumption rate is about 50lb/yr in competition shooting. Just curious here but I'm about "high" normal for an active N-SSA competitor.

Vid worked for me. Impressive height and sound.

dave951 said:

I've seen virtually no difference between Scheutzen and standard Goex other than Scheutzen being a bit cleaner.

Mind defining "shooting a lot of powder"? My consumption rate is about 50lb/yr in competition shooting. Just curious here but I'm about "high" normal for an active N-SSA competitor.

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This all depends on the economy and community events. During Covid the Anvil was shot mostly at outdoor weddings and memorial services. One thing that I get asked to do more and more is to do a shot for cancer survivors where they include a private note that goes above the charge and below the filler.
My small arms usage is only about a case annually. When the Rodeos and other community events are more plentiful the Anvil Launcher can use close to two cases by itself. Then If we get to shooting cannons it is even more. Maybe that is all relative. To me that is a lot of powder usage compared to the average muzzleloading guy who is not a competitive shooter.

Loyalist Dave said:

In older times it was called "anvil blowing" or "shooting the anvil"... you invert one and use the hollow space to load up the powder ,then place the other over that, and ignite...

Anvil Shooting

LD

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Holy smokes!

Old Shepherd said:

TDM,
I backed out of the forum, and even out of the whole Muzzleloading forum. Then brought it all back up and my last post shows a picture and says attachment on it. I clicked on it and it played the video.

Old Shepherd

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I just watched it. Great job!