Black Powder versus Substitutes

[62coltnavy]

Anybody ever use Black Mag 3? Randy Wakeman recommended it, but I think the company probably has gone under because it couldn't get retail outlets, and that $20 hazardous handling fee is a killer.

 

[arcticap]

The Black Mag plant (MDM) had a huge explosion.
They were in the powder making business at the time.

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=409662&highlight=black+mag

 

[maillemaker]

when one talks "grains" of black powder, they mean volumetric.

I do not believe this is accurate. "Grain" is a unit of weight, not volume. My digital scale has a setting to weigh in grains. I use it to confirm the weight dropped by my volumetric dropper when reloading conventional cartridges.

Steve

 

[arcticap]

when one talks "grains" of black powder, they mean volumetric.

In the muzzle loading world that's true.
The grains are always understood to be volumetric unless specified otherwise.
While smokeless powder loads are referred to by weight, muzzle loading loads are not.
It's an important distinction to make so as to not confuse folks who load muzzle loaders using substitute powders.
Folks can take it or leave it but volumetric grains are simply part of the abiding language that's universally understood.