Somewhere in this massive thread an alternative method was outlined. Someone had posted the page # where it started. I have spent several hours looking for it. Could use some help.
I take a jar with some water with vinegar and dish soap in it when shooting. Just drop the shells in when re-loading on site. Shake well, then rinse and set out to dry when you get home. Glass pickle jars work great, and won't pop open and make a mess like most plastic containers.
Don't forget in your learning process; black powder must never have air space, unlike smokeless loads. Some compression is better.
Vettepilot
"Those who sacrifice freedom for security, have neither."
Benjamin Franklin. (A very wise man!)
Alternative to what?Somewhere in this massive thread an alternative method was outlined. Someone had posted the page # where it started. I have spent several hours looking for it. Could use some help.
Basically there are 2 methods:
1) Mix your ingredients (charcoal, sulfur, KNO3) with a binder like Dextrin or Red Gum (depending on your wetting agent, water or alcohol) and press through a screen. Makes serviceable but low-density powder. This is usually called "screened powder"
2) Corned powder made with a hydraulic press instead of a binder. This more closely replicates commercial black powder.
Steve
There is the CIA method.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kkuG1IC0Zo
Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional.
Amateur Radio Operator - WB5GTV
"Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional."
I would add: and never, ever, "grow up!!"
With that in mind; "Hold my beer, and watch this!!"
Vettepilot
"Those who sacrifice freedom for security, have neither."
Benjamin Franklin. (A very wise man!)
Quote Originally Posted by DoubleBuck View Post
Vettepilot;
I just sent you a message about your wood.
QUOTE=GrayTech;5310200]Nearly choked on my dinner laughing at that one. Wasn't immediately obvious you were referring to a stock as the thread opened on that post. [/QUOTE]
Ha!! And I entirely missed the innuendo, or I would have replied, "I've got wood here!"
Tee hee...
Vettepilot
Last edited by Vettepilot; 12-04-2021 at 05:24 PM.
"Those who sacrifice freedom for security, have neither."
Benjamin Franklin. (A very wise man!)
I really think someone ought to type up a good summation of this thread thus far, and they should make it a sticky!!
There's a veritable wealth of info here that's hard to find in one place. (Actually, it's hard to find here too, in this giant thread; if you haven't been following along.)
Vettepilot
Last edited by Vettepilot; 12-04-2021 at 06:51 PM.
"Those who sacrifice freedom for security, have neither."
Benjamin Franklin. (A very wise man!)
I may have to use silver maple as the leaves are off and identifying willow or red alder in the wild would be difficult. There are a ton of alder swamps in my AO but I do not know if it is a suitable type. And being that the charcoal is so critical I want to get it right.
Charlie;
I don't know which ones are, either. I've read there is not much of the Alder Buckthorn in the U.S., but there is supposed to be some. And, I'm reading it is considered an invasive species. So if you do find it, you may be able to get all you need, just for asking.
Your Maple's are some high rated woods, in some of the tests I've read.
As far as willow goes, about 90% of the wood growing around ponds and streams, about anywhere in the U.S. is usually one of the hundred types of willow. Black seems to be a favorite, but you may have to compare pictures, or get someone to point it out for you.
Another wood that is highly rated is Eastern Red Cedar.
If you get desperate, I can send you Eastern Red Cedar, Black Willow or a couple of others. Shipping is rather high, but I've done it for a couple of guys on this thread.
Supposedly, the South had good luck in the Civil War, with Cottonwood.
I've heard Red Cedar Shingles work excellent for charcoal.
My personal favorite so far is Sassafras, but we're still doing some testing with it, to determine how it stacks up on Black Willow, which performed 3rd best for me personally so far, but has been other people's favorite, of all.
If I can be of assistance to you, give a scream, and I'll do my best! Good luck, which ever way you go.
You DoubleBuck, are a "Gentleman and a Scholar" as they used to say. A truly helpful and kind person I believe. My hat's off to you!!
Thanks!
Vettepilot
"Those who sacrifice freedom for security, have neither."
Benjamin Franklin. (A very wise man!)
Doesn't Goex use Maple?
I'm sorry that I can't (yet) quote chrono numbers, but I'm very happy so far with the Red Cedar pet bedding chips from Walmart that I've been using. Very fast and very clean burning powder.
I had read it worked well from numerous sources, and am very glad I tried it. A big bag that will make several pounds (6 to 8?) of powder costs only 4 bucks! Try it.
Edit to Add:
One thing to add about Buckthorn. Historically, there has been confusion about the name, and identity/identification of the tree. My understanding is that the correct Buckthorn to use is the one that produces berries.
Vettepilot
Last edited by Vettepilot; 12-05-2021 at 04:34 AM.
"Those who sacrifice freedom for security, have neither."
Benjamin Franklin. (A very wise man!)
The bedding is easier to process.
But I found that screening it first thru a 1/4" screen is of a big help.
You separate a lot of the tiny prices that would cook or burn into extra Ash.
It isn't critical , but it helps.
Last edited by LAGS; 12-05-2021 at 01:58 PM.
Yes, it cooks up great, and fast! By the time my Dutch Oven setup hits 550 degrees, it's already done. About 40 minutes from cold start to shut-down. I would say, for size comparison, my Dutch Oven is approximately 1.5 times the volume of the commonly used gallon paint can retort.
Edit to add:
It grinds up super easy as well. No breaking it up, etc. I just mill mine in a little coffee grinder for a short time, then weigh and chuck into the ball mill with the other ingredients.
Vettepilot
Last edited by Vettepilot; 12-05-2021 at 03:24 PM.
"Those who sacrifice freedom for security, have neither."
Benjamin Franklin. (A very wise man!)
Hmmm... interesting. I hadn't thought of that. You know, I had a bag of Alder smoking chips that I made powder out of that didn't turn out so well. It was an old bag that had been handled and knocked around a lot, that I bought at a yard sale. It got more rough handling around here. One day I re-discovered it lying in my goodie closet, and went ahead and processed it. It had a lot of fines in it. Maybe that's why it didn't make the greatest powder?
Of course, at that time, I didn't understand about the apparent confusion concerning the various Alders that exist, and have no idea which flavor this was. Apparently, as I stated above, you want the "berry producing" Alder for good results.
Vettepilot
"Those who sacrifice freedom for security, have neither."
Benjamin Franklin. (A very wise man!)
BP | Bronze Point | IMR | Improved Military Rifle | PTD | Pointed |
BR | Bench Rest | M | Magnum | RN | Round Nose |
BT | Boat Tail | PL | Power-Lokt | SP | Soft Point |
C | Compressed Charge | PR | Primer | SPCL | Soft Point "Core-Lokt" |
HP | Hollow Point | PSPCL | Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" | C.O.L. | Cartridge Overall Length |
PSP | Pointed Soft Point | Spz | Spitzer Point | SBT | Spitzer Boat Tail |
LRN | Lead Round Nose | LWC | Lead Wad Cutter | LSWC | Lead Semi Wad Cutter |
GC | Gas Check |