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Pyrodex, as you probably know, is a black-powder subsitute that produces ballistic characteristics similar to traditional black powder. Smokeless powders produce dramatically increased pressures over black/pyrodex powders. Consequently, firearms built to withstand the pressures of smokeless powder should have no problem containing charges of pyrodex. However (and this is a big however) you'd better be pretty sure you know what you're doing if you substitute pyrodex/black for smokeless - AND NEVER THE OTHER WAY AROUND. Although using low-pressure black or pyrodex shouldn't be harmful to a gun designed for smokeless powder, with an improper charge you run the risk of anything from a bullet getting lodged in the barrel to the whole thing blowing up in your face. You just never know. That's why you should find some reputable load data to use as a starting point.
If I'm not mistaken, there are cowboy action loads out there that use black powder in cartridge firearms, but I'm not really sure. At any rate, use established load data as a starting point for any load experimentation. Hope that's helpful and be careful.
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