DIY bp gurus: will I need to corn my black powder? for use in cartrides?

[Texantothecore]

We'll see how it goes. I started out with muzzle loaders and shot those for years. When I went to cartridges I used modern powder and have done the super accuracy stuff for about 7 years.
I decided to return to black powder this year and the magic is back! Woohoo...

Not entirely true or accurate. Depending on the manufacturing process, consistency and quality of base indegridents the powder can be much better or worse than commercial propellants. Very basic chemistry and mechanical processing involved.

Cal50 has it right. Attention to basic chemistry and a repeatable process will result in very accurate shooting. It is going to be fun getting to that point.

[Texantothecore]

I just picked up 5 lbs of Eastern Cedar bedding at petsmart for 8 bucks. It should produce some good powder. I can't wait to get ready.

[cal50]

Sounds like charcoal cooking time.......

[Texantothecore]

Indeed. I just picked up a brand new paint can at Lowes and the balloon is about to go up.

This is going to be so much fun.

[mold maker]

Get ready for black face, hands, clothes, and shoes. Oh yeah the whole area. When you get it ground, be sure not to sneeze.
Don't ask.

[cal50]

Get ready for black face, hands, clothes, and shoes. Oh yeah the whole area. When you get it ground, be sure not to sneeze.
Don't ask.

If you want to compare the mess drop 100 lb. bag of airfloat charcoal from your attic on the garage floor.
It's not pretty.

[Texantothecore]

Thanks both of you for the heads up. I am trying to enclose any activities in order to limit the distribution of charcoal to the target containers.

[Texantothecore]

Tractor Supply seems to have some galvanized steel utility cans which, depending on size, go from 10 to 20 bucks a piece. 6 and 10 gallon cans lured my interest. They come with lids so they could be good for producing charcoal.

Tractor Supply:

10 Gallon Behrens Steel Utility Can with Lid:
SKU 6010605
$19.99

6 Gallon Behrens Steel Utility Can With Lid:
SKU 2220177
$14.99

Both of these willl make a lot of charcoal.

I looked up "behrens" on the Lowes sight and they have smaller selection and are just a bit more expensive.

[Texantothecore]

Has anyone tried to wrap wood with heavy aluminum foil, placed it on a cookie sheet and baked it to perfection on their bbq grill by controlling the grill temperature?

It seems to me that it might work.

[Nobade]

It seems like it would reduce it to ash. The reason for putting it in a retort is to keep the air away so it doesn't burn.

-Nobade

[Boz330]

My first batch I put the retort in an LP Brinkman smoker but didn't try to control the temp just ran it on max. Heat loss with that setup would be pretty high and the burner output isn't all that high. If you insulated it though you might be able to do a better job controlling the temp. I believe that the real secret to consistent powder is the CC.
I have seen articles on the curing temps but don't remember where.

Bob

[cal50]

Has anyone tried to wrap wood with heavy aluminum foil, placed it on a cookie sheet and baked it to perfection on their bbq grill by controlling the grill temperature?

It seems to me that it might work.

A paint can or ammo can works better , just poke a hole in the lid. You need something that seals up decent. The ammo can will smoke if you leave the rubber gasket or until it burns off. Paint cans can be had from a Sherwin Williams or pant supply place. Place wood in can with lid, place on heat source and heat until no more smoke. One removes from the heat source flip the can over with the hole side down or against some dirt to seal it up and keep air from entering the can and burning your new charcoal up.

[Texantothecore]

Nobade, I think you're right. Thinking about it last night I couldn't figure out how to really seal it tight and that would yield some nice ash. I figured that the offgassing of volatiles would open up the sealed edges of the foil and invite air in as the charcoal cooled thereby setting it on fire.

Back to the paintcan.

I am going to chuck up a small piece of aluminum rod in my drill, take a file to it and make a conical plug that will drop in the lid hole to keep air from entering during the cooling phase.

[Nobade]

I just use a pin punch. Made of steel, tapered, seals the hole nicely. Ends up covered on black goo but I only use it for this so I don't mind.

-Nobade

[Texantothecore]

I just use a pin punch. Made of steel, tapered, seals the hole nicely. Ends up covered on black goo but I only use it for this so I don't mind.

-Nobade

That sounds like a great idea. It has the added benefit of using tools in ways that were never intended, such as using a screwdriver as a pry bar.

It's off to Harbor Freight at dawn!

[Texantothecore]

I am about to order my Thumlers Tumbler and wondered if y'all had a preference between the high speed (40 rpm) and the low speed version(20 rpm).

I do not tumble brass and my suspicion is that it probably doesn't matter. The other tumbler possibility is the A-R16 which runs 9 pounds rather than 15.

Your thoughts on this?

[Nobade]

High speed for sure.

-Nobade

[Texantothecore]

Thanks Nobade. That is the one which I will purchase.

[Texantothecore]

Cal50,

My pressure gauge is on the way in and I was wondering if you used packing in the threads of the gauge fitting in order to seal it a bit tighter.

[RMulhern]