Homemade black powder pellets?

I’ve been reading quite a bit about making black powder. I’m also interested in forming the self made powder into pellets but find no mention of how to accomplish this in any of my readings. Is it possible? I love shooting BF so I’m not a purist but an explorer and for me pellets would be a very desirable product to make based on my needs. Today pellets seem to be limited to 50 gr only. I’d be interested in making 60, 70 and 80 gr configurations if possible. Any ideas?

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Bob K said:

I’ve been reading quite a bit about making black powder. I’m also interested in forming the self made powder into pellets but find no mention of how to accomplish this in any of my readings. Is it possible? I love shooting BF so I’m not a purist but an explorer and for me pellets would be a very desirable product to make based on my needs. Today pellets seem to be limited to 50 gr only. I’d be interested in making 60, 70 and 80 gr configurations if possible. Any ideas?

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I see using pyrodex pellets. I've never seen them made with black powder.
I don't know why, is it tradition? Or maybe graining in f ff fff ffff works better?

If you look at the bottom of a pyrodex pellet you will see it is black compared to the rest of the pellet, this is the end you load first it is black powder. think of it working as a booster to help ignite the main pyrodex pellet. As to actually forming real black powder into a pellet perhaps first make a pellet Mould and try using Aqua Net hair spray as a binder don't know if it would work or not, we use to use Aqua net hair spray to make the charge for beer can tennis ball mortars, worked really well as the propellent.

To continue Talking about making your own propellants...press one now....To get the help desk press 2 Someone will be along shortly...

Why not just make a paper cartridge?
I do it for blank parade loads using cigarette papers, brass tube from the hobby shop and those 1 1/2 papers.

Interesting idea. Perhaps a pill press would work? Dunno. Beyond my skillset.

i will be the guinea pig. will press some tomorrow to see what works. Black powder is often pressed into disc's as hard as a hockey puck. then it is crushed into the graduated grains we shoot with.
it seems to me that i took a chunk from my last pressing and lit it. much harder to ignite but burned quick when it burn.
i will press some 50 cal pellets and report.

deerstalkert said:

i will be the guinea pig. will press some tomorrow to see what works. Black powder is often pressed into disc's as hard as a hockey puck. then it is crushed into the graduated grains we shoot with.
it seems to me that i took a chunk from my last pressing and lit it. much harder to ignite but burned quick when it burn.
i will press some 50 cal pellets and report.

Click to expand...

AH but not here I think.

Folks part of the charge is the surface area of the powder, and the reason Pyrodex pellets have a hole in the center is to create more surface area. This is essential.

necchi said:

Why not just make a paper cartridge?
I do it for blank parade loads using cigarette papers, brass tube from the hobby shop and those 1 1/2 papers.

Click to expand...

That might work, but I'd be worried about ensured ignition through the paper.... the revolver guys likely know more about that. OR..., just use loose black powder in nitrated flash paper?

IF you folks want to start a new thread on making pre-measured, primary charges, using paper cartridges that are consumed when fired, and used in caplock or flintlock longrifles and smooth bores, that would be an interesting topic (imho)

This thread has gotten too much to the point of discussion of making BP. So...

LD