Is making your own black powder worth trying.

[Dieselhorses]

Federal law prohibits storing anything over 50 lbs.. JMO but if anyone ventures into this, SAFETY is most important, paying attention to detail, PATIENCE and PERSERVENCE. Since I started making it, I've had really good results both in BP rifles and centerfire. I still haven't got to the "pucks" yet, but I screen wet BP and let it dry and it does fine. Line 'em up, knock 'em back then fill 'em up again!

[Markopolo]

I am totally agreeing with Diesel Horse man... screen wet, be safe, line em up, knock em down, rinse, repeat.

[flynth]

I haven''t seen anyone mentioning that self made black powder often ends up a lot less dense than the commercial one. For some uses(muzzleloaders) this doesn't matter, but for revolvers and cartridge use a lightweight powder is a pain to use.

So assuming you don't have access to a hydraulic press I would only make my own black powder if you plan to use it in muzzleloaders. My Pedersoli side by side especially likes home made very coarse powder.

[Boz330]

I haven''t seen anyone mentioning that self made black powder often ends up a lot less dense than the commercial one. For some uses(muzzleloaders) this doesn't matter, but for revolvers and cartridge use a lightweight powder is a pain to use.

So assuming you don't have access to a hydraulic press I would only make my own black powder if you plan to use it in muzzleloaders. My Pedersoli side by side especially likes home made very coarse powder.

I do mine in a bench vice and and while not as dense as store bought it works good enough. Out of a 40-65 I get 1200fps and 2F Swiss gives me 1275fps. The couple deer that I have taken couldn't tell the difference.

Bob

[flynth]

I do mine in a bench vice and and while not as dense as store bought it works good enough. Out of a 40-65 I get 1200fps and 2F Swiss gives me 1275fps. The couple deer that I have taken couldn't tell the difference.

Bob

Wow, this is pretty cool. I wonder how much force this vice has. Probably in the region of two tons. What is the size of the part that squeezes the powder? I never tried a vice. I just assumed anything other than an at least 20 ton hydraulic press wouldn't have enough force so my homemade powder was not squeezed at all. After seeing your post I have to reconsider.

[indian joe]

Wow, this is pretty cool. I wonder how much force this vice has. Probably in the region of two tons. What is the size of the part that squeezes the powder? I never tried a vice. I just assumed anything other than an at least 20 ton hydraulic press wouldn't have enough force so my homemade powder was not squeezed at all. After seeing your post I have to reconsider.

45/75 winchester original loads quoted as 350 grain x 1383 FPS -- homebrew load FFg willow powder = 335 grain x 1480FPS -- factory blackpowder ballistics easily achievable yes!
10 shot string carefully loaded gave ES just under 10FPS

[Boz330]

Wow, this is pretty cool. I wonder how much force this vice has. Probably in the region of two tons. What is the size of the part that squeezes the powder? I never tried a vice. I just assumed anything other than an at least 20 ton hydraulic press wouldn't have enough force so my homemade powder was not squeezed at all. After seeing your post I have to reconsider.

It is a 5" Bench vice. The puck maker is 2 inch PVC with tight fitting aluminum pistons. It isn't fast but suites my needs. Even though my powder isn't as dense I get more velocity per grain of weight than Swiss.

Bob

Bob

[nun2kute]

I started making bp about 35 hrs ago at 10. Dad made it for his friends that had a bp group. I still do it now because no one near me has it. Too many storage laws. So really even a pound is worth it. After a few batches, mine is as good as my dads was. And I liked his better than the store ****. It’s very consistent.

35Hrs ago you was just 10 yrs old ???

[swamp]

I use a HF 6 ton press and a Fly die to press mine and it works well. I had been thinking about it for awhile when the thread started. After reading for awhile I decided to give it a try. I have used Willow, Alder, and Tree of heaven. All three work well and burn pretty clean for me. I am satisfied with it. I enjoy the process of making it as much as I do shooting it.
swamp