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

Just read the sections on powder and get your head round burning rates.

Dromia,

If we just use Black powder instead, does it get any easier?

Mark

No you can not use black powder unless the rifle was designed to be used with black powder. Its not as difficult as you think I know its a bit daunting at first but just take your time. Read the manuals.

dromia wrote:Flash over?

Interested to know why you think this is a problem with powders of Trailboss burning rate?

Could you please answer this Badger.

This seems to be a prevalent misconception amongst shooters on here and not just tyros. I am interested as to where this myth originates.

Alpha1 wrote:No you can not use black powder unless the rifle was designed to be used with black powder.

Not true, however you are unlikely to get the same performance from BP as smokeless in these smaller capacity smokeless cases. If you are happy with that then BP is a option. The .303" British round was originally loaded with black powder.

What is not a good idea is to shoot full stoke smokeless ammunition in firearms that have only been black powder proofed.

Different grades of black powder also have their own burning rates.

dromia wrote:
This seems to be a prevalent misconception amongst shooters on here and not just tyros. I am interested as to where this myth originates.

I recall reading an article (not very scientific in my opinion) on SEE, from the late 50's (?) and it's from this article I would guess it originates. I can't remember the name of the author, publication etc but I have vague recollection that I might have discussed it with you or meant to...

All the stuff I have read on SEE relates to medium to slow rifle powders not to the faster powders.

Considering that there must be 100,000s of 38 special target rounds shot each year with fast pistol powders all having a loading density of way less than 50% then that must put the statistical significance of my own clubs continued use of 10s of thousands of rounds of less than 50% fast pistol powder loading density over the past couple of decades into the shade. Not to mention the work of Ed Harris based on Mattern's work of the 1930's, available on here in the library and many other sources why this fast powder "flash over" tale still exists.

I would like to see that article and ponder as to why it has credence after 5 decades of things being otherwise.

This has been discussed at length here previously but obviously to no avail.

I am still interested in Badgers source for this as he is new to handloading.

I've been trying to find it but without success. Doing an internet search comes up with lots of discussion about this and some mentions an older article but no links - I'll keep looking.

Thinking about it it sounds similar in effect to the explosions that can occur in wheat silos where the wheat dust explodes and the 'coffee bomb' IEDs we were taught to make in the RAAF.

Internet discussion, the dynamic of mythical s***.

Where does all this discussion lie in the face of the millions of rounds loaded and shot safely with fast powders at low loading density?

Personally I believe the reality of what is happening rather than internet "experts".

dromia wrote:Internet discussion, the dynamic of mythical s***.

Where does all this discussion lie in the face of the millions of rounds loaded and shot safely with fast powders at low loading density?

Personally I believe the reality of what is happening rather than internet "experts".

True. Very true.