I have to agree with Roundball on this. It doesn't really make much sense to go to the time and trouble to get a license and permit, scout territory, arrange the time off work, and from other family obligations to go deer hunging, and then worry about whether a load is going to fire or not because I was too lazy to clean the gun the night before. While it generally does not happen, I have been on the range with men using Pyrodex, albeit years ago, when they had hang fires, and slow fires. Even from a rest, at 50 yds, their shots were all over the place. The same gun and same shooter stood off-hand and shot nice 3 inch groups using Black Powder! For that reason, I have never bothered to try substitutes in my guns. I do have to admit that Goex has me interested in trying their Pinnacle powder, just to see how it does in my flintlocks, but I am not interested, and cannot recommend any of the other subs. They cost way too much, first of all, and for all the trouble you have igniting them, and then have to use both solvents and soap and water to clean them out, properly, I can't see why anyone would bother with them. I tire of hearing people complain that they can't buy BP at their corner grocery store, because all that tells me, about the shooter, is he does not practice during the year, takes the gun out the week before deer season, and then goes looking for his supplies, and finds out he's low on powder, or out. WE ARE IN A WAR. During WWII, ration cards were issued and you couldn't buy a lot of things. None of that has happened. But, for better or worse, we have greater restrictions of BP, and we have to learn to live with them. Since there are several dealers who ship BP in small lots at more than reasonable prices, there is no excuse for not ordering at least 4-5 lbs. at a time and having it shipped to your door. And, join a local BP club. If you don't know where they are, contact the NMLRA and ask. There are charter clubs in all the states, and many clubs who are not affiliated. The NRA can also point you to nearest gun clubs, and they in turn will identify members who shoot black powder. YOU ARE NOT ALONE ! Make friends with other shooters, and buy powder together to split the HAZMAT fee among all. When buying BP in a case lot gets it delivered to your door for less than $12 per pound, including fees, and the retail price on some of the substitutes is over $25.00 a pound, I don't see much of a hard decision to make.
And, Like Roundball, I dump the load at the end of the day, an clean the gun thoroughly so its ready for a fresh load the next morning. Yes, it takes a few minutes. But it allows me the secure knowledge that the gun is functioning properly, when I put it in its case for the night, and I don't have to worry about something needing oil, or a screw coming loose, or the need for another flint, or what powder to use. In the morning, I dry the oil from the barrel and vent. When I used to hunt with a Percussion rifle, I used alcohol to clean and dry the flash channel and nipple, too. It took only minutes, and because I did it every time, it went quickly and efficiently from practice.
The first time I hunted out my own house, my wife asked me why I was cleaning the gun in the morning as I had cleaned and oiled it before going to bed the night before. I explained that I was getting the oil out that I put in the night before, and why. She shook her head, and waived good-bye.When I arrived home later with my deer, she again asked me about the cleaning and I explained why I was fighting rust at night, but wanted a dry barrel when I loaded it. That made sense to her.
