Pyrodex in a flint?

J

jclayto

New member
I am told that Pyrodex is not acceptable in a flintlock weapon. Searching this forum I am coming up blank. A web search reveals a good number of people claiming to have used it successfully versus plenty who advise against.

What do you folks think? I never thought that finding real black powder would be an issue but I can't seem to locate kik, goex etc anywhere within a few hours drive. I know online ordering would be an option, but I would like to avoid paying hazmat for a single lb which will last me for years.
 
robhof

I'm in the same boat as far as real black goes and I've got 2 flinters that I can't stand to let sit idle. I've used all the subs in my flinters with fair to good results, however I always dump 5gr of 4f B/p in before the subs or you won't get good ignition, at least I didn't. I lucked out a few years ago and found a few Lbs of 4f and have been milking them along til I can find some more. I haven't found any sub that will light well as a priming powder. I've had good results using flash powder from dud fireworks as a primer powder, though I take extra cleaning precautions as the flash powders are very corrosive, at least that's what I was told.
 
I've tried PYRODEX in my flinters and it didn't work worth spit...
I've also tried APP and 777... NOT great either...
They 'work' ....but not like BP.
I don't like 'duplexing' powder loads..
HOLY BLACK is the way to go.
I run FFF for both the main charge and in the pan of my .50 Kentucky.
There is a big difference in sound/smell/performance.
All 3 of these subs work great in my caplocks, just not in my flint.
About the best thing I can say about subs in a flinter is; "it's better than nuthin' "
Just one ole mans experience..
Probably the best thing for you to do is to give them all a try and make up your own mind...
OK..done ramblin'
 
I found loose FFF black powder is easier to ignite than the substitutes...... I use the FFF for my .45 rocksmasher and FF for my percussion .50 ...... YMMV.
 
Years ago when I experimented with Pyrodex, Pyrodex's instructions indicated that it could be used in flintlocks if a small igniting charge of BP was put down the bore first, and to reduce the pyrodex charge by the amount of the black powder that was downbore.
 
duplex

Duplexing BP and Pyrodex (777, et al) is the only way to get reliable (or any) ignition from a flintgun.
Years ago, before I knew better, I bought ten pounds of Pyrodex. I didn't shoot muzzleloaders much then - just couldn't pass up the deal. When I finally did discover the joys of flintlocks, I still had eight pounds left. I started duplexing. It occurred to me in fairly short order that if I needed to load BP to shoot the Pyrodex, I might as well shoot just the BP and make things even easier.
Pete
 
Already said. Pyrodex is hard to ignite and for that reason is not a choice for flintlocks.
If black powder is available in your area, why consider anything else?
 
I typically don't bother, but I have duplexed with Pyrodex RS and Goex FFFg in my GPR .50 flintlock.
It works well, and creates much less bore fouling.
With regular FFgGoex, and the variety of thicker lubes (crisco, Murphys Oil Soap, mink oil,etc)that I've used, I can get no more than 2-3 patched round balls down my GPR before fouling is so thick that I can't ram the next ball, and have to wet swab the barrel. With the duplexed 5-10gr kicker charge and an appropriately reduced Pyrodex load, I can usually shoot the entire session without wet swabbing.

Now I'm trying wetter patches to swab the bore on the ramming stroke, coupled with a rammed toilet paper overpowder wad to soak up any patch liquid before it touches the powder. That's alleviated my fouling problem with FFg Goex for the most part, allowing me several more shots between swabbing.
 
robhof

I would much prefer to use Holy Black, but I really don't want to get 25 Lbs of the stuff or pay the price of gold bullion for less amt. As is I search out b/p shops when ever I travel and buy a Lb of whatever they have if it's real b/p.
 
Thank you everyone for confirming what I thought was true. I will continue to look for the real stuff but I have no idea where I am going to find it. If anyone in the SC area has any ideas, please let me know. Like the last poster I seek out shops when I travel, I was in Columbia, SC last weekend and tried sportsman's warehouse and shooters choice with no luck. I frequent the Atlanta, GA area and periodically Charlotte NC area if anyone has suggestions in those areas as well.

If nothing else, what I have learned in building this pistol with an experienced rifle builder has been priceless!
 
I believe if you contact Goex customer service they will tell you who their distributors are, and from them you can find out who the nearest retailer is.
 
Many Bass Pro Stores do sell it.
A person needs to ask the gun dept. manager for it because it's kept in a safe.
There's a new Bass Pro Shop under construction in Augusta, Georgia which is ~91 miles away from you. There's also one in Myrtle Beach, but it's best to call first to make sure that they have it in stock.

Link to a map of Bass Pro Shops, click on the stars:

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/s...ID=94&storeId=10151&catalogId=10051&langId=-1
 
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It is correct that pyrodex won't ignite in a flintlock. You can use a few grains of fffg to start the charge and fffg in the pan, with pyrodex on top.

I knew a guy who made paper "priming charges;" he'd roll 5-10 grains of fffg in cigarette paper and carry them in his pouch. He'd hit them with his rod before dropping in his pyrodex. the fire from the pan would set it off, and of course, that paper just vaporized. Think about it.
 
Thanks Articap, I'll be in Atlanta in a few weekends and this gives me a perfect reason to stop by Bass Pro. My wife will be delighted as always :)

Did not know that they are putting a store in Augusta, very cool. One has been rumored for Greenville, SC for a while but not action on it yet. It sure would be nice.
 
A person needs to ask the gun dept. manager for it because it's kept in a safe.
Click to expand...

Maybe in a lockable magazine, but putting black powder (a low order explosive, but an explosive nonetheless) in a safe (unvented metal casing) makes a pretty good bomb...... I am not a Fire Marshall, nor do I play one on TV ..... but I'd bet that would violate even the most lenient of Fire Codes.....
 
I'm sure he meant 'safe place', not literally a safe. Bass Pro, like all box stores, adheres to state and local fire codes which specify the requirements for storage of explosives and flammable materials. In addition, they are inspected and certified to be in compliance on a regular basis.
 
Found it!

I spoke with the Bass Pro outside of Atlanta GA today. They do carry Goex FFF for $24/lb. Glad to know that I have an option now if I can't find it any closer.

Thanks!
 
robhof

Actually they keep it in a blast vault, which is vented and verrry heavy, like a safe with a very solid, blast resistant door. Bass Pro is where I got one of my cans from a few years ago. One of our local range officers owns a blasting supply store and his storage doesn't meet b/p standards, which is stricter than dynomite standards, because it's less stable, at least by fed standards.:eek::eek::eek:
 
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