prof marvel
New member
Yep, it's fashionable for black powder folks to blame potassium perchlorates for rusting problems with Pyrodex. The perchlorates in Pyrodex do not cause the rusting problem.
Like black powder, Pyrodex also contains sulfur. Sulfur is the problem with Pyrodex.
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My Good Thallub -
I would like to respectfully disagree. Your results may vary from mine and mine from Hawg and my other friends here but pray be civil enough not to make back-handed insults like the above.
To dismiss a science-based discussion as " fashionable for black powder folks to blame potassium perchlorates for rusting problems with Pyrodex." is a disservice to those who can think and discuss complicated matters calmly and intelligently.
BP also contains sulfur but no potassium perchlorate. The biggest differences are the additions of cyanides and perchlorates to Pyrodex. BP and Pyrodex are clearly diffferent chemical compounds and show different patterns of both corrosion and fouling.
I myself and those metalurgical and chemical experts and BP expert consultants I have corresponded with over the last 30 some-odd years have never had BP give us the sort of pervasive, "hard-to-kill" fine rust and virtually microscopic pitting that Pyrodex can produce. These folks tested various powders in separate cheap (to them - they like the custom flints and caplocks) hawken style rifles then dissected the barrels lengthwise and analyzed the entire thing, especially the patent breeches and breechplug.
They found specific patterns of corrosion particular to Pyrodex and a so-called "Perchlorate signature" that had not been seen since the end of the "corrosive primers" that I previously mentioned. .
I still use Pyrodex and 777 in my C&B revolvers, but I make certain to QUICKLY clean thoroughly with hot water and soap, usually using grated Ivory bars. I also make certain to scrub with brass brushes and/or fine choreboy if needed. A thorough drying and oiling finishes the task and then I seldom see any sign of the dreaded Pyro blossoms.
BTW there is no magic to soap or which soap. Soap is merely a "surfactant", ie, a
compound that lower the surface tension between two liquids, between a gas and a liquid, or between a liquid and a solid. I could go into the types: anionic, nonionic, cationic, and amphoteric; I could go into detergents, wetting agents, emulsifiers, foaming agents, and dispersants; I could go intot eh organic chemistry involved... but I won't bore everyone.
water works. soap and water works. don't use fancy solvents . don't use oil prior to cleaning with water. most BP cleaning mixes folks swear by have lots of water in them.
If it works for you, more power to ya.
Your results may vary .
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