The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

bigfathairybiker wrote:I was definately thinking of black powder rather than nitro based as a stable nitro is a bit fiddly to make without an unstable phase. Where as the BP is very stable.

Not having done any reloading I probably need to get hold of Greeners book or simular and do a bit of reading. Things like granule size and burn rates are fairly new to me as I've only had to deal with straight fine powder and solid sticks for propellant, which doesnt always do quite what was expected!

Mark

Wouldn't quite describe Black Powder as very stable bigfathairybiker. Just think of all the old powder mills that were destroyed in it's manufacture in the past. Also consider the extra precautions necessary when handling BP due to the risks from friction and static charges. I think that I would much prefer to handle nitro powders. BP is only really more forgiving in respect of pressure but even then you can go wrong if you leave air spaces.

Personally I dislike the dirty messy stuff, but it does give a nice healthy CABOOOOOOOM when fired in an old muzzle loader.

I think I must be turning into a boring old f@rt but this really does sound like one of those projects that you could end up regretting one way or t'other...

Save a fiver or, save a hand/eye/life, seems like a no brainer to me.
ukrifleman.

Sometimes it is best just to ignore the good idea fairy.

dromia wrote:Sometimes it is best just to ignore the good idea fairy.

:)

Thanks for all the input everyone. I think I will follow reason and use commercial powders.

Mark

It looks like you're a newbee so may I recommend you do a lot of reading up from books plus the internet (with a pinch or two of salt) & join either the HBSA or MLAGB & go along to some of their meetings, get to know some old hands (those with all their fingers) & keep an open mind.

Learn before you burn!!!

Ian

As the relationship between black powder & static electricity has been mentioned the link below may be intresting.

http://www.ctmuzzleloaders.com/ctml_exp ... parks.html

David

interesting reading

Under the MSER act 2005 person for research and experimenting can make explosives of 100gram that fall under sch1 which don't require an explosives certificate. as long not for sale or practical usage.

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005 ... ion/9/made

para 2 a, applies.

Flashpowder and nitro powders fall under Sch1 which don't require an explosive certificate. but some making stages in nitro powers will make a compound which need and explosive certificate (nitroglycerine) unless its mix 5% to alcohol. 5% of nitroglycerine is in nitro-powders anyway. but foolhardy to make nitroglycerine with proper hardware!

http://www.hse.gov.uk/explosives/licens ... dule-1.htm

also primers fall under Schedule 1