Black powder substitutes?

[std7mag]

I just picked up my new 45 caliber inline yesterday.

Growing up I have always used Goes black powder.
Alas, now finding actual black powder to buy just isn't going to happen.
Aside from making my own.

So looking at substitutes, which is a better choice?
I really didn't care for Pyrodex. Corrosive.

 

[Dan O]

Black powder can be found at Buffalo arms or Powder Inc. They have it on a regular basis but you have to order it online and pay a hazmat fee. If you can split a case with a few others it cuts your costs.

 

[Scott85]

I haven’t shot it yet but I went with shooters world

 

[Redman]

Black powder only in my side lock and Blackhorn 209 for my in-line.

 

[shb]

SWISS BLACK POWDER 3F 1LB 25/CS - Graf & Sons

Since its US introduction in the late 1990’s, the Swiss Black Powder has become the powder of choice among black powder competitors. Unsurpassed quality with greater power, lower standard deviations and superior performance results in higher competition scores. The factory for the Swiss black...

www.grafs.com

 

[Sheltowee]

BH209 is widely considered to give the highest velocities and by far the cleanest burn, but it will not reliably ignite with standard primers. In my experience, it requires a 209 Magnum for consistent ignition.

 

[SSGOldfart]

graf&sons is where we get it every year, caps are a little harder to find but I've stocked up when I find them

 

[WrongWind]

BH209 here and never looking back. Had to get a special breech for my CVA after not heeding that wisdom upfront and blowing it on a big buck. Otherwise, it's been flawless.

 

[dan.kirkpatrick]

I've been using 777 for a long time now and am pleased with it,alot cleaner than goex and easyer to find

 

[huntnfisher]

Over the years I have used Pyrodex, 777, and BH 209. BH 209 is by far the best! And yes, use 209 magnum primers, in my case CCI. Never any issue with this combo. out of my T/C Omega .50 stainless/laminate.

 

[Flintlock hunter]

Here in Pa I go to Dixons in Kutztown. It' a small muzzleloading shop which usually stocks not only Goex, but Swiss, and sometimes Elephant powders in all granulations.
They have a website, that may answer any questions.

As for blackpowder substitutes, 777 is decent.

 

[Washington Hunter]

I use triple 7, Blackhorn would be nice but way too expensive for me.

 

[std7mag]

Here in Pa I go to Dixons in Kutztown. It' a small muzzleloading shop which usually stocks not only Goex, but Swiss, and sometimes Elephant powders in all granulations.
They have a website, that may answer any questions.

As for blackpowder substitutes, 777 is decent.

Thanks for that!!

A day trip to Kutztown is an easy, enjoyable thing to do.

 

[Antler99]

I like Blackhorn but the price is sure a deterrent

 

[Nick87]

I like Blackhorn but the price is sure a deterrent

Yah so is availability. Still using 777 right now because of it.

 

[Bonasababy]

I don't shoot enough to justify loose powder and have good luck with 777 pellets. Cleanup is tolerable.

Someday when I have more time I'd like to try Blackthorn to see both how it performs and if the rumored easiest clean up of all is accurate.

 

[Matthew57]

I don't shoot enough to justify loose powder and have good luck with 777 pellets. Cleanup is tolerable.

Someday when I have more time I'd like to try Blackthorn to see both how it performs and if the rumored easiest clean up of all is accurate.

The price of blackhorn sure has gotten crazy. Wish I woulda bought way more even a couple years ago when I thought prices were high.

 

[p_ham]

The price of blackhorn sure has gotten crazy. Wish I woulda bought way more even a couple years ago when I thought prices were high.

I'm done with Blackhorn. I can't justify $10/oz for it. Back to 777!

 

[shannerdrake]

I made the switch to BH209 and once I figured out ignition I’ve been very pleased. I’ve posted before but I had an 18fps max spread across 5 consecutive BH209 max loads. Pretty unreal. Also no residue. 10 consecutive shots is nothing.

That being said, 777 is still a really good powder. It cleans so easy with water. Always ignites. It’s also fast. I feel like 777 is every bit as fast as BH209. But no denying it’s much dirtier. 3-4 shots on a sabot is about max.

 

[OleRedbeard]

Depending on your inline the only real answer is BH209... Nothing else comes close as far as easy cleaning, clean burning, reliability and overall higher/consistent velocities.
If its not set up for BH209 as far as the ignition goes (usually has a slightly larger vent to get more fire to the powder) Try Triple 7. Its decent but just a step or two above pyrodex.