Old Can of Pyrodex P

[mec]

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The stuff came out in 1976, went in to full distribution in 1978 and very likely didn't reach Waco, Texas until 79. That's the way things happen around here. In any case, This can came from the first shipment to reach Waco. Johnny Bates tried it out and, learing that it was no easier to clean up than black powder, put most of the can in his garage and forgot about it. It has been there ever since being exposed to temperatures ranging from minus 5 to Plus 110 and whatever moisture and humidity could get around the stopper ( little or none) Bad storage conditions.

It had the usual easily dispersed clumps that happen in older pyrodex but appeard usable. Experts- many of whom have very large genital organs and even bigger mouths, have declared that Pyrodex will become enert in a short time. We didn't know what to expect.

The difference between the two strings of six rounds could be explained by the randomness of small numbers or by routine lot to lot variation.

After the chronographing, I loaded my LePage Target pistol with the old stuff and fired one round duelist from 60 feet and another from 25 yards. They hit about an inch and a half apart on a peach can.

 

[mec]

Corrected velocity/spread new pyrodex

 

[roundball]

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Experts- many of whom have very large genital organs and even bigger mouths, have declared that Pyrodex will become enert in a short time. We didn't know what to expect.

About like the often repeated old wives tale that 1:48" twist won't shoot round balls accurately...It's amazing the amount of mis-information that gets spread all over the Internet...people see a posting, take it as gospel, then they repost it as gospel when they don't personally have a clue

Every now and then I'll shoot a caplock using old leftover Pyrodex RS that's been in my garage for years and it's fine

 

[silverfox]

mec where did you fine those (new) square cans. I remember the first ones were round. Still have a few and found the same you did a little clumping but other than that it works well in a shotgun and can see little or no difference than when it first came out. May be a little dirtier than the new stuff but works just the same. I use it only in my shotgun as its no good in flintlockes. My kid won't use it he likes GOEX go figure. Guess it has one think like BP it doesn't seem to go bad.
Fox :thumbsup: