Today's BP compared with 19th Century BP

mrappe · September 8, 2010, 11:04 AM

I once read in the book 'Cowboy Action Shooting' by Charlie Gullett that the BP in the 1800s was different than it is today. I believe that it burnt in a way that it left a softer residue. This was related, in the book, in regards to the need ( BP metalic cartridiges ) for a lube in the channels of the bullet and/or the use of a bees wax disk underneath. Today, many shooters use a lubed wad and or grease for more reason than just the prevention of chain fires.
I have always wondered what the acutal differences are in the materials and processes that account for this and why someone does not make a version like this? I would think that many of todays shooters would buy it. Does anyone have any more info on this?
I meant this to be a new thread instead tof a reply to the "Are wads necessary?" topic

Hawg · September 8, 2010, 08:42 PM

I dont know about residue but I have fired original .58 paper cartridges and the original powder charges taken from an original 58 Remington. IMHO original powder is more potent than modern black.

arcticap · September 11, 2010, 12:29 AM

There were so many different powders that I don't think that any simple generalization can be made about them all.
I'm pretty sure that there have been plenty of substandard powders in the past.

There's a lot of information to be learned about black powder by reading these works:

http://www.laflinandrand.com/page3.htm

September 8, 2010, 11:04 AM	#1
mrappe Senior Member Join Date: January 29, 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 256	Today's BP compared with 19th Century BP I once read in the book 'Cowboy Action Shooting' by Charlie Gullett that the BP in the 1800s was different than it is today. I believe that it burnt in a way that it left a softer residue. This was related, in the book, in regards to the need ( BP metalic cartridiges ) for a lube in the channels of the bullet and/or the use of a bees wax disk underneath. Today, many shooters use a lubed wad and or grease for more reason than just the prevention of chain fires. I have always wondered what the acutal differences are in the materials and processes that account for this and why someone does not make a version like this? I would think that many of todays shooters would buy it. Does anyone have any more info on this? I meant this to be a new thread instead tof a reply to the "Are wads necessary?" topic

September 8, 2010, 08:42 PM	#2
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,190	I dont know about residue but I have fired original .58 paper cartridges and the original powder charges taken from an original 58 Remington. IMHO original powder is more potent than modern black.

September 11, 2010, 12:29 AM	#3
arcticap Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2005 Location: Central Connecticut Posts: 3,166	There were so many different powders that I don't think that any simple generalization can be made about them all. I'm pretty sure that there have been plenty of substandard powders in the past. There's a lot of information to be learned about black powder by reading these works: http://www.laflinandrand.com/page3.htm