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

I've got authority for both a .44 and .38/357 muzzle load revolver and looking to buy something for a bit of fun and price wise the .44 blackpowder seems to be much cheaper than any of the smokeless .38s from Westlake however do I need to apply for an explosives license for the BP as I'm lead to believe that not all BP requires a license, is this true, is this the same for pyrodex too?

Can anyone point me to a good resource for reading up on the whole matter ?

Thanks

All black powder requires an explosives certificate and a competent authority document which which nowadays come together, this free upon application to plod but you will need an appropriate box to store BP in.

Black powder substitutes like Pyrodex, triple seven and the like are classed as propellants like smokeless so do not need the above.

A search on here will yield more discussion and advice on the subject.

Just to ensure clarity smokeless powder other than black powder substitutes should never be used in black powder firearms.

ML smokeless pistols such as the Westlake are designed to handle smokeless powder.