Powder

[RB POWELL]

This has been dealt with, but is still confusing and complicated to new BP folks. That said, if one were stepping into the flintlock BP world for the first time, and asked you what BP was SURE-FIRE best, what would you tell them?

 

[Kansas Jake]

What I have in my horn. Way back when I shot Dupont, now Goes, Curtis & Harvey and they all went bang. Of course some are cleaner shooting or have more power, but I've stuck with Goex simply because that is what I've been using and it is available easily by mail. I shoot both 2f and 3f.

 

[Tom A Hawk]

This has been dealt with, but is still confusing and complicated to new BP folks. That said, if one were stepping into the flintlock BP world for the first time, and asked you what BP was SURE-FIRE best, what would you tell them?

Well, it depends... on caliber, on what performance aspects are important to you, on how much you're willing to pay for it, and what your overall criteria for "best" includes.

 

[Grenadier1758]

This has been dealt with, but is still confusing and complicated to new BP folks. That said, if one were stepping into the flintlock BP world for the first time, and asked you what BP was SURE-FIRE best, what would you tell them?

Of course all the real black powder is the best. There are highly energetic powders such as Swiss or Olde Eynsford. Very good powders but these are the most expensive. There are European brands such as KIK, Wano or Schuetzen which are good. The American manufactured powder, GOEX, is a good powder readily available through mail order for many of us. Then there's Jack's Battle which is a lesser grade suitable for reenacting and firing of blank rounds.

I use GOEX, so for someone who is just entering the flintlock black powder shooting experience, I would say GOEX.

Do not use any substitute powder. Those are the worst and can make the flintlock experience pure he77.

 

[dave951]

I'd say stick with about any REAL black powder and avoid the subs. Through experimentation the shooter can determine which powder performs best in their gun.

 

[Rich]

Start with Goex. Rule of thumb: below 50 cal, FFFG 50 cal FFG or FFFG. Above 50 use FFG. To prime your Flintlock, FFFFG (4f) is fastest, but a Lot of us just use whats in the horn. At a match, I will use 4F

 

[Britsmoothy]

I'm saying nothing ...