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Old April 30, 2012, 09:22 AM   #1
mikthestick
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 29, 2012
Location: Devon England
Posts: 177
Black powder recipes

I used to think the British recipe of 75 saltpeter, 15 charcoal, 10 sulfur, was probably the best it certainly seemed an accepted recipe.

Other nations had different mixtures, the French went for 75, 12.5, 12.5. Windage would probably have made more difference than the recipe as far as Muzzle velocity was concerned.

Research results were:
1) With no sulfur in the mixture it burns with a lot less smoke.
2) without sulfur it ignites at about 440 deg centigrade, with about 10% sulfur this drops to about 300 deg.

My conclusion is the French recipe is superior, perhaps a bit more volatile. It would ignite at a temperature lower than 300 deg providing less misfires.

Last edited by 4V50 Gary; May 1, 2012 at 06:51 AM. Reason: Edited for clarification for those on the Western side of the pond. Thank you Smokin' Joe
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