OK, I have just made it through this entire thread. Really, a new thread needs to be made with "just the facts". There is a tremendous amount of "fluff" in this one.
It sounds to me like the corning method is the best way to go, producing a superior powder. Probably why Goex makes it that way, as it sounds they do.
I'm going to give this a shot, and create a web page that documents the "how to", including sources and costs for materials. I shoot competitively in the N-SSA, and my goal is to make a black powder equivalent in performance and consistency to Goex 3F, which is what I shoot presently. I notice some of you say you still use commercial powder for competition, and the home-made stuff for other things, but that defeats the purpose for me. I only shoot for competition, and when practicing I want it to be like competition. My objective here is to save money - right now 3F Goex is close to $30 a pound. You can buy a 6 pound kit online for like $20, which means you can make the stuff for like $3-$4 a pound. Even at $5 a pound, we are talking 1/6th the price of commercial powder.
Question: What kind of wood is "airfloat" powder made from?
Where can you buy willow charcoal?
Thanks,
Steve