Going for my Black Powder Licence

[Joe Pugh]

Hi all,
My shotgun certificate is due for renewal so while I'm doing that I though I should apply for my explosives certificate.

Having filled out the forms I chose to start off with a limit of 1KG of black powder. That should be enough to start shouldn't it?
As I am new to this any advice or tips would be great. I'm not sending it off for another few days anyway.

As I'm doing this I'm also looking at a choice of guns I should be buying.
I was thinking about the 1861 springfield or 1853 Enfiled so a percussion gun. Are there any guns to avoid buying or any that stand out as beeing fantastic? Again I'm open to all sorts of ideas but just looking to see what people would of done if they started again from scratch.

Thanks
Joe

[ovenpaa]

I would say ask for 2 or even 5kgs, it is a maximum holding and I have a feeling they will just issue 15kgs anyway. You will need a box to keep the BP, you can buy them or make them and drawings/dimensions are on the internet.

[Dark Skies]

Do the police come and inspect the storage box prior to issuing the licence?

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?

[Blackstuff]

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?

[ovenpaa]

They did not inspect when I first applied for mine however my FEO came out a few years later specifically to advise me the storage regulations had changed. I had a wooden box in place and he was delighted, apparently I was the only person he had visited who had such a box in place however he still insisted on giving me a copy of the storage recommendation. Nobody has ever asked to view my storage since however it is very obvious if you walk into the armoury. Mine is a large wooden box painted red with white writing on it and will probably hold 30kgs of powder.

[dromia]

Why limit yourself to a couple of pounds of black powder?

You can legally hold up to around 2 1/2 stone of all propellants anyway.

[FredB]

For long term smokeless shooters moving into black---especially muskets---it can be a bit of a shock to realise how much of the black stuff you uses. There are 7000 grains in a pound, so if you use 100 grn in a musket charge, you have 70 shots. Go for more.
Fred

[Dark Skies]

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.

[Blackstuff]

How strange. Thanks for the info

[Joe Pugh]

For long term smokeless shooters moving into black---especially muskets---it can be a bit of a shock to realise how much of the black stuff you uses. There are 7000 grains in a pound, so if you use 100 grn in a musket charge, you have 70 shots. Go for more.
Fred

Wow now that you put it like that. Again I'm new to this so thanks for the advice everyone.

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

Thanks