Hodgdon Black Powder????

[Swamp]

I found 2 cans of Hodgdon BP, one is 3-F, and the other of 4-F, at a garage sale this past weekend. The guy was selling a bunch of stuff for a friend who recently passed away. He had all kinds of modern reloading stuff, but also some BP stuff.

Anyway, the cans look old, but the powder seems and looks like new. They were individually wrapped in plastic bags. Have any of you ever shot this old Hodgen BP before?

[Roaddog]

I have shoot some of my Grate granddads FF Duepont that was from 1910.
 It workes just fine.

[Stormrider51]

Can't say as I've come across any of that stuff but I do have a couple of cans of DuPont so old that it came in the oval flask style cans.  It shot fine.  Black powder is a pretty simple compound and as long as it is kept dry it should be okay.  If it does degrade it will become weaker and harder to ignite so you don't have much to lose by trying it.  Just don't let your first attempt come during a shooting match where you want to win.    

Storm

[Stormrider51]

Swamp,
Your post bugged me and kept nagging at my mind until I did some research.  I can find no reference to Hodgen black powder.  As I'm sure you know a company named Hodgdon makes Pyrodex and 777 black powder substitutes.  But what you have is real black powder?  I'm real curious now!

Storm

[Swamp]

Hey Storm, I didn't purchase the stuff as I wanted to get some info on it. It's definitly Hodgdon, and it's definitly BP. I might go back to the house to see if he sold it or not.

I did a google search and found this photo.

[Stormrider51]

Well, learned something new.  I didn't know Hogdgon ever make "the real stuff"!  It might be worth a trip back to the house.  If it didn't sell they might give it to you.

Storm

[Captchee]

yep i have shot it .
 its not to bad , about like DuPont IMO .
  They stopped making it about the time duPont  stopped and Goex took over .
 Should be noted that Hodgdon is back in the BP game  since they bought out Goex

[Hanshi]

Don't know but I just might have snapped it up.  I, too, have a can of Dupont left but it's 4F and it will be a long time before I finally get to it.  Just shot up all my Dupont 3F a few years ago.  The stuff lasts longer than we do.

[Fletcher]

I still have a can of Hogdon FFFF Black Powder than I have had for more than 20 years and I think I got it from my father in law who had it many years before that.

Still use it in my mini flask to pour some down a plugged nipple and 'blow it out.

Used it as primer too, but all 3 of my flinters seem to like FFF better than FFFF for priming.

OBTW - I know Chris Hogdon - a grand son or more from the original.  He has been great in supporting our Boy Scout shoots with 777 or Pyrodex since we cannot use true BP any more.

I also buy other Hodgon modern powders.  I will have to ask him how long ago they quit making the 'real thing'!

[Gambia]

OBTW - I know Chris Hogdon - a grand son or more from the original. He has been great in supporting our Boy Scout shoots with 777 or Pyrodex since we cannot use true BP any more.

Why can't the Scouts in your area use real black powder anymore?

[pathfinder]

I'm gonna guess the Lib's runnin' the system's our kid's are involved with. I'll get off the soap box before I get in trouble!

I have a very little left of some powder from the 1850's,and when shot at night,the flame look's redder than the modern black powder. I was told by the gun guy at Greenfeild Village that it was because they used Alder charcoal as the main ingredient.

Also heard that GOEX is going back to using Alder as the charcoal. It does shoot A LOT cleaner than the new stuff,at least it seam's so. I'm not a scientist.

[rickevans]

Path said

I have a very little left of some powder from the 1850's

So...was that when you was about 12 or 13 years old?

[No Rod]

now don't make him hurt his self trying to remember back that far!

[Hanshi]

Path said

I have a very little left of some powder from the 1850's

So...was that when you was about 12 or 13 years old?

[/color]




 :rotf  

[Riley/MN]

OBTW - I know Chris Hogdon - a grand son or more from the original.  He has been great in supporting our Boy Scout shoots with 777 or Pyrodex since we cannot use true BP any more.

This would have to be a local restriction. Per National:

Boy Scout and Varsity Scout Muzzleloading Firearms
Because of the historical significance of muzzleloading
firearms, Scouts are encouraged to learn to safely load and
shoot a muzzleloader. On the range, each Scout must be
under the direct supervision (one on one) of a currently NRA
or NMLRA certified muzzleloading instructor when loading
and firing the muzzleloader.
Muzzleloading rifle. Only recently manufactured (or
assembled from a kit) percussion cap muzzleloading rifles
no greater than .58-caliber are to be used. Flintlock rifles
are not approved for use by Boy Scouts or Varsity Scouts.
All muzzleloading rifles are subject to safety inspection by
the instructor or range officer. Rifles made from kits must be
checked by a qualified gunsmith.
Propellant. Only a commercially manufactured, sportinggrade
black powder or black powder substitute offered for sale
by a reputable firm should be used in muzzleloading rifles.

emphasis added by yourn truly...