Can't get Black Powder

[Tweesdad]

As you may know, I live in upstate NY. Black powder is impossible to puchase anywhere within 150 miles. This leaves me two alternatives. Order it online, and pay horrible Hazmat fees, or use a substitute.
Over the years, I have been using Pyrodex RS or Select in all my guns. These are Hawkens and Renegades and none are usable with pellets.
I have a Green Mountain .58 barrel on order, and I have heard that 3F black burns cleaner than 2F in most rifles. The closest I can come to 3F black powder is Pyrodex P. Is this usable in a .58 Green Mountain barrel behind a PRB? If so, can anyone tell me what load works for them? I am planning to use this barrel for nothing larger than Caribou.
Thank you all in advance.

 

[Johnny Deer Man]

Too bad you did not post this earlier. I live in NY and bought some last week.

Johnny

 

[sabotloader]

Tweesdad

Black Powder is getting harder to find everywhere...

Look in your area for a Traditional ML club(s) - they usually buy it in bulk and resale to members and others at their Rhondy events

I just did a search for New York Muzzleloaders and got this...

http://www.nysmla.org/

This site should help you find a bunch - hopefully some whare close to you...

 

[Tweesdad]

Too bad you did not post this earlier. I live in NY and bought some last week.

Johnny

If I may ask, where in NY are you, and where did you get it"?
Thanks

 

[Tweesdad]

UPDATE

I have located a source for the black powder. Now, the rest of the question:
Can I use 3F as my propellant charge in a .58 Green Mountain Barrel behind a PRB? If so, do I have to reduce the charge? Does it, in fact, burn cleaner?
Anyone give me some loading data?
Thanks

 

[k]

Re: UPDATE

I have located a source for the black powder. Now, the rest of the question:
Can I use 3F as my propellant charge in a .58 Green Mountain Barrel behind a PRB? If so, do I have to reduce the charge? Does it, in fact, burn cleaner?
Anyone give me some loading data?
Thanks

do you mind sharing your source?i would love to get some

 

[Tweesdad]

I am going to be in New Hampshire on business in Feb., and I am going to go over to Rochester and buy it at T/C Arms' store. Have done that in the past when I was in NH.

 

[paia]

Re: UPDATE

I have located a source for the black powder. Now, the rest of the question:
Can I use 3F as my propellant charge in a .58 Green Mountain Barrel behind a PRB? If so, do I have to reduce the charge? Does it, in fact, burn cleaner?
Anyone give me some loading data?
Thanks

You can definitely use 3F in the .58 with a PRB--I have a friend that does that with his .58. And FWIW, 3F is all I have shot for years in my .54's.

I would start with about 60 grns. by volume measure and go up 5 grns. at a time to 100. Somewhere in there your rifle should group well and show you what load it likes. IMO, I would look for a hunting load of 80 to 90 grns.

My experience has been that 3F is "cleaner" and shoots with a little less fouling. It is also "faster"--for instance, 90 grains of 3F Goex chronographs faster than 100 grns. of 2F Goex in my .54 flintlock. If you have a load your rifle likes with 2F, about 10 to 15 grns less 3F may work and shoot close to same point of impact.

Good luck and have fun.

 

[Johnny Deer Man]

I bought it from grafs and ate the 24 in hazmat fees.

I really did not mind the $24 because I spend so much on rifle and accesories and I wanted Swiss not Goex. Plus Driving to get the Goex would costr me more in gas $$ anyway

But, what I did find annoying is that I needed 4f for the pan since I bought 2f for the loads and 4f should come in smaller containers. Who really needs 1 lb?

At 3 grains per priming that is 2300 charges. You would go through over 25 lbs of powder before you use up a can of 4f.

If they sold smaller comtainers I would be nice but it is what it is.

 

[jbuck9]

Tweesdad,

If you ever feel like taking a ride come see me, remember where you met me at the dinner too pick up your 58, well with in two miles from there I can take you to get all you want from 4F too 2F just let me know.
[email protected]

 

[Tweesdad]

Tweesdad,

If you ever feel like taking a ride come see me, remember where you met me at the dinner too pick up your 58, well with in two miles from there I can take you to get all you want from 4F too 2F just let me know.
[email protected]

John,
check your e-mail