Wannabewoodsman
Custom
Does anyone make their own black powder? If you do, what do you store it in? I know glass is risky due to possible static build up
BP Storage
- Thread starter Wannabewoodsman
- Start date
TEXASforLIFE
SAINT
Unlike smokeless than can be stored many ways it should be ok with plastic and metal containers, but not 100% about metal containers? Paper of some sort will work (like paper milk cartons).
Annihilator
Emissary
Why would you want to make your own black powder? You have to make sure you get the proportions right, I just don’t get why, but if that’s what you want to do
Recusant
Hellcat
How many pounds are you planning on making? The reason I ask is there are they regulations: https://www.atf.gov/explosives/explosive-storage-requirements
Annihilator
Emissary
Personally, I think its dangerous, if your worried about not getting it, buy some and safely store it, since its an explosive, I think there should be regulations like Recusant said above, plus your never going to get the the formula the same every time or the first time, just my thoughts on this.
Wannabewoodsman
Custom
Not many. Perhaps 10 at the very most when all is said and done. I currently have two commercially made pounds at home
Wannabewoodsman
Custom
I'm following the advice of a retired ordinance officer and making my powder in very small quantities. The book I've read (and am rereading and using as my constant reference) suggests separating the ingredients and mixing small portions of two together... I'm explaining it terribly but I'll post a screenshot tonight of what I'm talking about
Wannabewoodsman
Custom
Something I learned in my journey is you can make it without sulfur though it is significantly slower.
Firing a .45 caliber ball from a specific flintlock (not mine, the video maker's) the rifle would send a ball (homemade powder with sulfur) downrange at around 1700 FPS and without at around 1100 using the exact same everything, minus the sulfur.
Nothing to write home about but still able to take game
Recusant
Hellcat
The size of the power grain is what determines how fast it burns. On a flintlock you put 4F in the pan and either 2F or 3F in the barrel depending on caliber. You use 1F in your cannon. The larger the grain the slower it burns. Same goes for reloading. The Austin Powder Company is located just down the road from my property that I go to shoot. An employee lives across from my gate and has educated me on storing powder in large quanities. I try to never have more than a pound of powder (Triple 7) at a time. I store the plastic container in a sealed ammo can.
Wannabewoodsman
Custom
That's true but sulfur is used for a reason and changing the formula shows why and how. Removing sulfur from black powder slows the velocity when using the same size powderThe size of the power grain is what determines how fast it burns. On a flintlock you put 4F in the pan and either 2F or 3F in the barrel depending on caliber. You use 1F in your cannon. The larger the grain the slower it burns. Same goes for reloading. The Austin Powder Company is located just down the road from my property that I go to shoot. An employee lives across from my gate and has educated me on storing powder in large quanities. I try to never have more than a pound of powder (Triple 7) at a time. I store the plastic container in a sealed ammo can.
Recusant
Hellcat
Well, if I remember correctly from a high school chemistry class from many years ago, surfur burns and gives off a gas. So it stands to reason that removing a propellant would slow things down. Where are the MythBusters when you could use them?
Wannabewoodsman
Custom
This was actually done. I like this video and he does a better job showing what happens than I explain:
Annihilator
Emissary
Sorry, couldn't resist.........
Wannabewoodsman
Custom
youngolddude
Professional
BP is really fun at night with 20 ft. flames, but I don't like running the timer for BP shooters due to the choking smoke.
Store it in some empty BP containers. Smokeless containers would probably be ok.
Store it in some empty BP containers. Smokeless containers would probably be ok.