Low on Pyrodex, now what?

MarcB · May 16, 2013, 07:48 AM

I've got a 59-140 Sharps rifle and have been using Pyrodex CTG powder which is no longer made. I had a 20 pound keg of it and now I'm down to about 2 pounds so I'll be switching to black powder. After reading some of the posts here I've decided to use the Swiss brand. Question I have is do I need to have a starting load or just dump 140 grains in the cases. Other problem is I live in the Socialist Republic of California so I can order only one can at a time. Where is a good place to order it and what granulation should I use. I have a friend that lives in Nevada and can have larger quanities shipped to him in a pinch as 1 pound doesn't go very far in this beast.

noelf2 · May 16, 2013, 01:07 PM

Why not use Pyrodex P?

swathdiver · May 16, 2013, 04:09 PM

You can order as little as a pound from Graf's, likely cost around $60 for a pound of SWISS.

Better to pack up and move to another state, you'll save in taxes and then watch the brown truck drop off 25lbs at a time whenever you want.

woodnbow · May 16, 2013, 08:03 PM

I'd contact my friend and have him order the 25# of whatever you want... Maybe wait until Powder, Inc. is back up and running, they'll need the support.

B.L.E. · May 16, 2013, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Why not use Pyrodex P?

Pyrodex RS would likely be a better choice.
Goex also makes "cartridge" black powder, it think it's just FFg that's more carefully screened for better uniformity, with a higher price to reflect that.

Andy Griffith · May 17, 2013, 10:36 AM

If you can, get several different brands of holy black and see which results you like the best.

Goex now has a "competition" grade that is supposed to rival Swiss, their Old Eynesford powder is their new premium powder. I have not tried it yet, but if it's as good as or better than their Express powder, which they discontinued, it will likely shoot with Swiss, but it may have different fouling properties though, as most powders do.

I've started using a lot of Kik now, since its just a bit more available, and in pistols and shotguns, there is no differece to Goex...but it does seem to have a bit more "umph, " but maybe that is just my perception. I have yet to work up a rifle load or two.

In your .50-140, it isn't so much the powder volume, but you must make certain that the case is full and there is no air space when you put the bullet on top of the charge. The bullet should make a sight compression on the powder- which will also make it burn cleaner. Do you use a drop tube? I would suggest it on a case and charge of this size, as you'll get a bit more velocity and cleaner burn.

The one thing you will notice with any of the high quality blacks, is your fps variation between shots (SD) will get much closer together than any load with pyrodex. This isn't a problem at most ranges, but at long range, it makes a big difference in trajectory, and your impacts will be much closer together with black.

MarcB · May 17, 2013, 05:32 PM

Thanks for the info. Accuracy has never been an issue. What granulation do you suggest? 1f or 1.5f?

May 16, 2013, 07:48 AM	#1
MarcB Member Join Date: January 7, 2013 Posts: 41	Low on Pyrodex, now what? I've got a 59-140 Sharps rifle and have been using Pyrodex CTG powder which is no longer made. I had a 20 pound keg of it and now I'm down to about 2 pounds so I'll be switching to black powder. After reading some of the posts here I've decided to use the Swiss brand. Question I have is do I need to have a starting load or just dump 140 grains in the cases. Other problem is I live in the Socialist Republic of California so I can order only one can at a time. Where is a good place to order it and what granulation should I use. I have a friend that lives in Nevada and can have larger quanities shipped to him in a pinch as 1 pound doesn't go very far in this beast.

May 16, 2013, 01:07 PM	#2
noelf2 Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2008 Location: Stuart, VA Posts: 2,473	Why not use Pyrodex P? __________________ Liberty and freedom often offends those who understand neither.

May 17, 2013, 10:36 AM	#6
Andy Griffith Senior Member Join Date: May 14, 2009 Location: Macon Co. NC Posts: 591	If you can, get several different brands of holy black and see which results you like the best. Goex now has a "competition" grade that is supposed to rival Swiss, their Old Eynesford powder is their new premium powder. I have not tried it yet, but if it's as good as or better than their Express powder, which they discontinued, it will likely shoot with Swiss, but it may have different fouling properties though, as most powders do. I've started using a lot of Kik now, since its just a bit more available, and in pistols and shotguns, there is no differece to Goex...but it does seem to have a bit more "umph, " but maybe that is just my perception. I have yet to work up a rifle load or two. In your .50-140, it isn't so much the powder volume, but you must make certain that the case is full and there is no air space when you put the bullet on top of the charge. The bullet should make a sight compression on the powder- which will also make it burn cleaner. Do you use a drop tube? I would suggest it on a case and charge of this size, as you'll get a bit more velocity and cleaner burn. The one thing you will notice with any of the high quality blacks, is your fps variation between shots (SD) will get much closer together than any load with pyrodex. This isn't a problem at most ranges, but at long range, it makes a big difference in trajectory, and your impacts will be much closer together with black. __________________ Barney Fife: "Nip it, nip it, nip it!" Andy Griffith:"Oh now Barn'...." Last edited by Andy Griffith; May 17, 2013 at 10:43 AM.

May 16, 2013, 04:09 PM	#3
swathdiver Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 2012 Location: Treasure Coast, Florida Posts: 335	You can order as little as a pound from Graf's, likely cost around $60 for a pound of SWISS. Better to pack up and move to another state, you'll save in taxes and then watch the brown truck drop off 25lbs at a time whenever you want.

May 16, 2013, 08:03 PM	#4
woodnbow Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2012 Posts: 190	I'd contact my friend and have him order the 25# of whatever you want... Maybe wait until Powder, Inc. is back up and running, they'll need the support.

May 17, 2013, 05:32 PM	#7
MarcB Member Join Date: January 7, 2013 Posts: 41	Thanks for the info. Accuracy has never been an issue. What granulation do you suggest? 1f or 1.5f?