Today's BP compared with 19th Century BP

M

mrappe

New member
I once read in the book 'Cowboy Action Shooting' by Charlie Gullett that the BP in the 1800s was different than it is today. I believe that it burnt in a way that it left a softer residue. This was related, in the book, in regards to the need ( BP metalic cartridiges ) for a lube in the channels of the bullet and/or the use of a bees wax disk underneath. Today, many shooters use a lubed wad and or grease for more reason than just the prevention of chain fires.
I have always wondered what the acutal differences are in the materials and processes that account for this and why someone does not make a version like this? I would think that many of todays shooters would buy it. Does anyone have any more info on this?
I meant this to be a new thread instead tof a reply to the "Are wads necessary?" topic
 
I dont know about residue but I have fired original .58 paper cartridges and the original powder charges taken from an original 58 Remington. IMHO original powder is more potent than modern black.
 
There were so many different powders that I don't think that any simple generalization can be made about them all.
I'm pretty sure that there have been plenty of substandard powders in the past.

There's a lot of information to be learned about black powder by reading these works:

http://www.laflinandrand.com/page3.htm
 
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