My homemade black powder

[LAGS]

I think it is Not what is in TP that makes better charcoal.
In the processing of the TP.
I think all the things like sap comes out or the processing makes it more evenly consistent.

[HWooldridge]

This is simply my opinion, but I believe the TP gets to air float status more quickly and mixes better than wood charcoal - at least in a ball mill, so it makes a more homogeneous powder. The TP has been processed to death at the factory, but it’s still a wood product. The commercial manufacturers generally have access to heavy wheel mills and they achieve an “intimate” mix of ingredients with that method.

I did notice the TP powder was almost the same weight as Goex so the density is comparable.

[Sandro_ventania]

What would be in TP that toasting would improve. Why charcoal, is charcoal the best fuel for a KNO3 propellant for shooting?
Tim

It depends on what you consider best. Black powder is a fast powder that ignites very easily, but it is dirty. Of the kno3-based gunpowders, I like the golden powder, which is 60% kno3 and 40% ascorbic acid (vitamin C). Very easy to make at home and produces very clean gunpowder. The power is similar to black powder.

[dondiego]

It depends on what you consider best. Black powder is a fast powder that ignites very easily, but it is dirty. Of the kno3-based gunpowders, I like the golden powder, which is 60% kno3 and 40% ascorbic acid (vitamin C). Very easy to make at home and produces very clean gunpowder. The power is similar to black powder.

In what form do you add the Ascorbic acid? That is an interesting formula. Has it been historically used by the military?

[MUSTANG]

And ... Are there references you can point to for further information please?

[DoubleBuck]

HW;
On my measures, and the measured vials which I put single loads in, they came out almost exact, to the lines, by weight. I don't have any Commercial powder to compare to, but glad to hear you came out with comparable density. Another + for this charcoal. So far, I haven't found a problem with it.
We may not need the Mullers! Except, we'd be the only kids in town with one.

[dtknowles]

In what form do you add the Ascorbic acid? That is an interesting formula. Has it been historically used by the military?

He peaked my interest.

https://pyrodata.com/PyroGuide/index...(Uncooked).htm

https://www.amateurpyro.com/forums/t...golden-powder/

https://www.reddit.com/r/pyro/commen...thout_heating/

I haven't found anything yet about using it in a gun.

Tim

[Nobade]

I'm pretty sure that is what Shockey's Gold is, and other BP subs like Cleanshot.

[HWooldridge]

HW;
On my measures, and the measured vials which I put single loads in, they came out almost exact, to the lines, by weight. I don't have any Commercial powder to compare to, but glad to hear you came out with comparable density. Another + for this charcoal. So far, I haven't found a problem with it.
We may not need the Mullers! Except, we'd be the only kids in town with one.

DB, I have not given up on the muller idea - been kicking around designs in my head to hopefully simplify the build. I even considered using an old bowling ball and pushing it with a motor around a circular track.

[Sandro_ventania]

In what form do you add the Ascorbic acid? That is an interesting formula. Has it been historically used by the military?

It's much easier than making black powder! In a pan, place the 60% nitrate and 40% ascorbic acid... add a little water to dissolve... very little. Place over low heat, stir constantly, the water will dry, continue stirring until the color changes to yellow. Pour the dough into plastic wrap to prevent it from sticking, as it cools it will become hard, just put it through a coffee grinder and use it! Golden powder has similar strength to black powder...or less. It's very safe and worth trying. In the USA there is APP, American Pioneer Powder, which is golden powder.

[Sandro_ventania]

I'm pretty sure that is what Shockey's Gold is, and other BP subs like Cleanshot.

Yes, there are several manufacturers that use it. I've already made it and use it, it's a very clean powder, you practically don't need to clean it. Making black powder is just another challenge, there is no need.

[HighUintas]

From what I could find, golden powder has a slightly higher energy content than BP per grain weight and reduced fouling.

The downside is that it is hygroscopic.

[HWooldridge]

I suppose the natural question is, why isn't everyone using golden powder? Other than the hygroscopic component, it sounds like the next great discovery that nobody knows about.

Ascorbic acid should be easy to source on a commercial volume basis and all the steps in making traditional BP don't seem to be necessary. Even if the AA is a bit more expensive, the offset in manufacturing efficiency and better performance should be a win-win for both producers and consumers.

[Nobade]

I used to make rocket candy (KNO3 and sugar) and had been wanting to try golden powder but had sort of forgotten about it. Thanks for the reminder. I just ordered a kilo of ascorbic acid from Amazon for $22. That will make 5.5 lbs of powder, so I'll get to play with it a bit. I have heard how clean APP powder is, and how you can use smokeless lube with it. This should be a fun experiment.

[Sandro_ventania]

From what I could find, golden powder has a slightly higher energy content than BP per grain weight and reduced fouling.

The downside is that it is hygroscopic.

You can make it even more energetic... just add 5% iron oxide. Then it changes to crimson powder. And to make it less hygroscopic, reduce 10% of the ascorbic acid and add 10% of iritritol (sweetener). I have to be careful what I say...the men in black can knock on my door...������

[Sandro_ventania]

I used to make rocket candy (KNO3 and sugar) and had been wanting to try golden powder but had sort of forgotten about it. Thanks for the reminder. I just ordered a kilo of ascorbic acid from Amazon for $22. That will make 5.5 lbs of powder, so I'll get to play with it a bit. I have heard how clean APP powder is, and how you can use smokeless lube with it. This should be a fun experiment.

Play around and tell us what you think! Tell us your experiences. As for golden powder being hygroscopic, that is more of an industry problem. I've had golden powder in storage for a year and it's perfect. All you need is a good, well-closed jar.

[2TM101]

Play around and tell us what you think! Tell us your experiences. As for golden powder being hygroscopic, that is more of an industry problem. I've had golden powder in storage for a year and it's perfect. All you need is a good, well-closed jar.

So the 5% iron oxide replaces some ascorbic then? Is it 60-35-5? My interest here is actually using bullet lube with a heavy petroleum component to it. Can't use it with sulfur as it makes Tar, so traditional BP is out. Pyrodex has been OK but I can't make that. This looks attractive.

[HighUintas]

What's the ignition temp of this golden powder? Would it be useable in a flintlock? That's one of the downsides for some subs is that they don't work in a flinter without a real BP portion to ignite it.

[Sandro_ventania]

So the 5% iron oxide replaces some ascorbic then? Is it 60-35-5? My interest here is actually using bullet lube with a heavy petroleum component to it. Can't use it with sulfur as it makes Tar, so traditional BP is out. Pyrodex has been OK but I can't make that. This looks attractive.

No...5% of the total. It doesn't replace anything.

[Sandro_ventania]

What's the ignition temp of this golden powder? Would it be useable in a flintlock? That's one of the downsides for some subs is that they don't work in a flinter without a real BP portion to ignite it.

I've never used it on a flintlock, as I don't have one unfortunately... (whoever has a lock and wants to sell it to me cheap, I'll accept it). But I've tried throwing sparks on it and it caught fire every time... you have to test it.