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Thread: Vintage Pyrodex

  1. #1
    Boolit Buddy
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    Vintage Pyrodex

    Howdy all,

    I have a 1lb fiber board "bottle" of Pyrodex dated that same year it hit the market (can't remember exactly, early 70's I believe), opened it up and powder is still loose, no clumps or wierd colors, smells just as wierd as a new bottle of Pyrodex.

    So, do you think this stuff is still worthy? Not a front stuffer shooter per se, but I do own a couple ML rifles in .50 and .54, had thought about trying this out, or should I leave it be from a collectors/oddity standpoint being that it survived all these years?

    Any insight greatly appreciated!

    Jeff

  2. #2
    Boolit Grand Master
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    If properly stored, I have never heard of any aging problem with Pyrodex. Load a few and shoot 'em.

  3. #3
    Boolit Buddy
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    I still have some from the late 1980s that performs as it should.

  4. #4
    Boolit Master
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    Shoot it, just may have lost some of its power, save the container, someone may want for there collection ??

  5. #5
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    Texas by God's Avatar
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    I’m older than Pyrodex, so it can’t be THAT old….


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  6. #6
    Boolit Grand Master


    stubshaft's Avatar
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    I also have some of those older containers of Pyrodex in P and CTG grade. If it isn't clumpy it shoots fine.
    Old enough to know better, young enough to do it anyway!

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  7. #7
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    Winger Ed.'s Avatar
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    You'll shoot your eye out kid.

    Better let one of us older guys dispose of it safely.
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  8. #8
    Boolit Buddy
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    Just took another peek at the canister. Its for pistols of which I have none, unless it will work in .45acp? JK! Guess its gonna sit on the shelf a few more years...

  9. #9
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    Vintage Pyrodex

    Pyrodex P is considered the 3F equivalent. It’ll work just fine in the .50 and .54 rifles.


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  10. #10
    Boolit Buddy
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    Thanks TBG!

  11. #11
    Boolit Master
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    Early Pyrodex was either slightly corrosive or left a lot of stuff in the barrel that attracted moisture. I lightly pitted a ML barrel by not cleaning it for two or three days after firing a hunting load out of it. If cleaned immediately after firing, as you should with black powder, you should have no problems. BTW, accuracy in my rifle was good.

  12. #12
    Boolit Master elmacgyver0's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by higgins View Post
    Early Pyrodex was either slightly corrosive or left a lot of stuff in the barrel that attracted moisture. I lightly pitted a ML barrel by not cleaning it for two or three days after firing a hunting load out of it. If cleaned immediately after firing, as you should with black powder, you should have no problems. BTW, accuracy in my rifle was good.
    I thought you had to treat all black powder substitutes the same as black powder as far as cleaning.

  13. #13
    Boolit Buddy
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    I still use Pyrodex out of the cardboard cans. Heck yes it still works fine. I specifically try to use up the old stuff first before moving onto newer bottles. Use the powder and then keep the old can as a decorative piece.

  14. #14
    Boolit Buddy
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    Have a 1860 Colt style revolver on the way, should be a good home for this Pyrodex P ��

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