Holy Black vs. Plastic

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kflach

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My BP Starter Kit from Cabelas came with a plastic flask. I'm going to pick up some of The Holy Black tomorrow and it occurred to me that it's supposed to be highly corrosive. Is there any problem storing it in a plastic flask, or should the plastic flask be used only for BP subs, like the APP that Cabelas also sold me?

What about a plastic funnel - is that a bad idea?
 
Plastic is perfectly fine for storing BP.

BP fouling is hygroscopic, which means it'll absorb water from the atmosphere. THAT is what makes it corrosive to ferrous metals.
 
Unfired powder isn't corrosive. Fired powder residue is but not nearly so much as most people believe.
 
Generally, as a rule of thumb, a lot of people will say "don't store your BP for long periods in a flask". Beats me...I don't own one. Is a flask not as airtight as a can? BTW, I seem to recall there are at least a couple of brands of BP that are sold in plastic containers....like Swiss? I use a plastic funnel to put the left over powder back in the can. Problem? I have not encountered one yet.
 
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I plan on using the flask just for taking powder to the range. I'll store the BP in the can it comes in.

The flask I have appears to be quite airtight.
 
Is a flask not as airtight as a can?
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Most aren't, especially the original designs. BP is somewhat hydroscopic meaning it pulls moisture out of the air so you need to store it in a container that is airtight or close to it. I have an old heavy brass CVA flask that I keep powder in for long periods with no ill effects and I doubt it's completely airtight.
 
I store my range powder in my custom powder horns. I recently found a reject horn with about half a pound of sub. Still good after a couple of years.

Pops
 

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The flasks are not totally air tight. Doesn't seem to be a problem unless the flask itself is directly exposed to rain.
Most of the plastics used in the "black powder" suppliers containers is listed as non-static plastic. The Cabelas plastic flask with the rubber cap is as airtight as is possible. I would not worry about storing powder in it. I use one as an emergency powder supply in case I run out in a match.
 
There are plastic funnel top replacement tops that are made to fit black powder and substitute powder containers. They have a snap cap attached by a strap at the top.
The replacement tops do make it easier to carry the entire can to the range to add to the flask as needed.
That way, the contents of the flask will be used and not put back into the main can to contaminate it with moist powder, especially APP.
Some places have really high humidity.
 
That funnel top attachment is a good idea. I may have to look into those. I'm also considering looking at getting a flask with a measuring top. Right now I have to pour out of the flask into my measuring container and from that into the chamber. I'm sure that'll get old after a while.
 
Never load directly from a flask. All it takes is one hot ember to turn a flask into a grenade. It's an unlikely event with a revolver but why take a chance.
 
I gave up the powder horns/flask for powder.What I found that works very well is 1/4 oz. glass vials with corks.They will hold 120grs. of B/P. I put them in MTM plastic 12ga shotgun box', they will hold 25 vials.I measure out loads at home I do not have spend time at the range messing around with horns and flask'.I spend more time shooting.
 
There's a whole lot of tubes for pre-measured charges. Medical tubes for stuff like blood samples work well...and are cheap. And if you are shooting pistol, try Speer shot capsules. The .38 caliber shot capsules are good for ~17 grains, the .44s are good for ~25 grains. Very convenient.
 
robhof

My brother and I had a B/p cannon in the 1960's and we forgot about it since the 70's. we found it a short while ago with a flask of powder 30+ years old. Loaded up 100gr and wad; fired just fine, powder was in plain brass flask, cannon and flask with fuses was stored in wooden ammo box in basement in Florida for over 30 years.
 
If I read your post right, you're using these Speer capsules to pre-measure loads of black powder to pour directly into the chamber. Is that correct?

Do these capsules have ends that can easily be opened for pouring? They look like some kind of 'shotgun shell' instead of something with a pouring spout. I suppose you could put some kind of funnel into the chamber to make it easier to avoid spills.

Would they be legal in SASS or NCOWS matches?

The idea of having pre-measured quantities of BP that can be easily poured in the field is intriguing. I know that's what they were accomplishing with the old paper cartridges.
 
Would they be legal in SASS or NCOWS matches?
Click to expand...

I dunno bout NCOWS but with SASS you load powder and ball between matches at your gun cart so you can use whatever you want. You just load the caps at the loading table.
 
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