HOME MILLED-black powder --DULL SLOW ---
HI ----
finally got registered --after a long struggle !
Can any expert ==advise me --why home ground /milled BP
is so dull /lacklustre /delayed --
ever since I started DRY milling with lead in a 3 lb metal tumbler -well insulated
oN wooden blcks ----belt drive -- 66 RPM
As I live in rural African bush --Its illegal to import black powder
so -- I have been making my own for 2 years --- GOOD results by hand grinding -
sun -drying ---fine sieve --
first wet milling --yielded great results --coarser powder --then crushed in a wood mortar
flashed off fast brilliant --with just a few sparks from a old frizzen /flint !
I was delighted
fired 50 CAL rough slug from my TotaL home built PERCUSSION cap rifle
( see all fotos ) 2 years now
I then built a flintlock pistol ---and modified the flint caliper/hammer --to a percussion
cap ---pistol (less messy than flashpan ) --easier to make side;lock parts--from scrap steel
8 mm calibre--10 inch barrel ---sod to load narrow bore
added 5%dextrin to gp --to prevent crystalising out of Saltpetre during drying --
added2% graphite --to assist pouring into 8mm barrel
fires silvery powder from fireworks --50 grains of roman candle powder
Very efficiently /powerfully ---but its un-economical--decided on good old BP
Yet my home made black powder -in comparison -is a delayed lacklustre I second
interval bang --- FLASH off test ---needs a lighted flaring match to ignite --
BURNS AWFULLY SLOWLY!
Penetration & MV Is VERY poor---would only wound /maim a game animal --
Slug hits sideways ( tumbles % 10 meters)
can anyone improve my method technique of creating the DIY GP ?
using a very fine digital scale to measure the 75 /15 /10 % components
hardwood charcoal
commercial saltpetre --( chemist ) --sulphur
all worked well before --by mixing with water -paste -ground in a mortar
but many experts say 6 hour fine milling /dry milling in a tumbler --with lead
balls ---produces a faster more volatile GP
well MINE has failed ---sadly
appreciate any help
regards -- FLASHMAN
Milling fine black dust-bp
Well thankyou so much Nobade !
now I have the answer ---too finely milled ---dust bp IS slow!
will go ahead now ---add water to "corn" into a dough /thick paste
but please clarify ----what is a window screen?
is that a glass car window surface?
or a kitchen mesh strainer--fine or coarse?
how does one calibrate particle size of these soft/or brittle black powder shavings that drop off?
I have never seen commercial black powder particles here in the African bush ( illegal to purchase here)
Are they sugar sized particles ?--or salt grains ?or what size roughly --for a cap lock pistol?
I suppose trial & many errors will eventually result in a much better flash?
so do I rub the damp dough ball against wire or aluminium or copper mesh ??
or thu a tea strainer ? when the dough BP BALL IS STILL WET/ ----
so I assume these damp shaved particles are left on newspaper or a flat dish to DRY?
HOW slow to dry out ?--in the sun ?
not sure how to assess when these BP grains are bone dry ---
slightly damp & it fizzles!
ok --will get cracking ---
Very very grateful ---for some very enlightening help !
really appreciate -
Flashman--Zululand