wont go bang.

Haven't seen that container of pyrodex since the early 80's when my dad was teaching me to shoot.
That is a verifiable fossil I tell ya....just like most of us here on the forums.

Not surprised it isn't working at all. Old pyrodex in a rusty can? Fertilizer.

Just use the real stuff. It never goes inert. Even if it gets moist, just dry it out and it goes boom.

Yep, bad Pyrodex. It simply doesn't age well like real black powder does.

Pour a tablespoon full on a safe surface.. outside the house. Try to light it with a BBQ charcoal lighter. It should go off very quick. Not as quick as real black powder but it should ignite. If not... toss it. If it ignites quickly use it.

Man all this talk of the 70s and 80s being ancient is weird. To me it seems like just yesterday.

The seventies WAS just yesterday but now I is one!

I have a can just like that in my closet, maybe even worse. Rode around on the back of my truck probably 2 or 3 years. Rattled it around to bust up the clumps & if it was any less good than when it was new, you'd need a chronograph to tell it.

Where does a guy even find BP these days? Last time I bought any was at Oshmans sporting goods in the 70s.

It being muzzleloading season in most states, any bonifid hunting supply should have some.

In many areas, real black powder is hard to find on the shelf at gun shops and you will have to order it from places such as Grafs, Powder Inc. etc. Usually that means ordering 5# or more at a time to make it economical due to shipping and HAZMAT fees but several people can go together and order together.

Substitutes such as Pyrodex and Triple7 usually can be found in wallyworld and gun shops.

PYRODEX, I have al of the grades that were made of cardboard containers..

all of my card board ones go off first pull every time. good storage makes the difference! off course not in rock locks!

Mine is from the 70's early 80's and it still works but rarely use it.

Ive a exibit of oldie load stuff including empty can boxes ect its new home is on topof my wood stove thanks necci!

"any ideas???"

Yeah, the breech is full of grease. The nipple is plugged with dried gunk. It was stored muzzle up and the flash channel is full of oil.

The flash channel needs to be determined to be clear before you load. Since that ship has sailed, pull the nipple. Clean out whatever you can with a pipe cleaner. Make sure the nipple is clear. Put some powder in the breech under the nipple. Re-install the nipple. IT will fire.

The old Pyrodex may not work as good as new, it also may, it will work in some fashion.

Allright, it being close to Thanksgiving I'll come clean.

I originally posted this to get some curmudgeons excited.

figured you guys would enjoy seeing an old container even if it wasn't the Holy Black.

truth be told this was given to me back when I bought a TC Renegade from a friend for $125.........maybe 8 years ago?????

never shot this powder.........i put in pill containers.......added cannon fuse and duct tape.......having fun some past 4th July.

there I've had my confessional. 2 hail Mary's and 4 our fathers.

Happy Thanksgiving all.

camo

camoloc said:

Allright, it being close to Thanksgiving I'll come clean.

I originally posted this to get some curmudgeons excited.

figured you guys would enjoy seeing an old container even if it wasn't the Holy Black.

truth be told this was given to me back when I bought a TC Renegade from a friend for $125.........maybe 8 years ago?????

never shot this powder.........i put in pill containers.......added cannon fuse and duct tape.......having fun some past 4th July.

there I've had my confessional. 2 hail Mary's and 4 our fathers.

Happy Thanksgiving all.

camo

Click to expand...

and for what it's worth......

I got an unreasonable amount of gear with the pristine TC.

.54 and it is the straightest barrel I have ever owned.

measures, funnels, jags, patch pullers, nipple wrenches, etc.

it wasn't until I started to study this stuff.......that I realized what a favor my friend and mentor passed on to me


afterall, he is the one who taught me how to clean up a deer. more of a father to me than my own was.

hope there are more people in the world like this. if not....

i charge you......
strive to become one when possible.

thanks all and happy Thanksgiving.

be well.

camo