The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

Dark Skies wrote:

Blackstuff wrote:

Dark Skies wrote: Also, I'm curious about the bit on the application form regarding destruction of unused powder - is burning it out in the open in small batches considered acceptable?

Genuine question; why would you do that? Does it have a ridiculously short shelf life?

Simply because on the application form there is a question regarding disposal that needs to be filled in.

In the real world you'd use it all up or perhaps give it to someone who had the paperwork etc. But reading through the application form it feels like there's a 'proper' answer they'd like to see.

I think you would have to dispose of it only if you have the acquire licence? However if you have the acquire and keep certificate well you keep the powder. So I'm not sure you have to fill that bit of the application out if you go for the acquire and keep.

Joe Pugh wrote:So what is the limit you can hold (in KG please) so I'm assuming something like 5Kg would be a more realistic option?

It's my understanding that you only need specify how much you wish to acquire if you are applying to acquire black powder on any one occasion. This may be appropriate for re-enactors who only need powder for a specific event.

Shooters will genenerally apply to acquire and keep black powder and you don't need to specify how much; what you can keep is covered by the legislation. This may be up to 15kg depending on what other powders you hold (eg. smokeless).

Keep in mind you may want different grade powders, even for a single rifle. Some for short range (up to 100m) use small charges of fine grade powder but for longer ranges a coarser grade powder may be preferred. All part of the fun in developing accuracy for your firearm.

David