Powder Comparison

[Muley]

I just had a long conversation with Goex. I was surprised they spent so much time with me, but they had to go back to all the tests they did on the powders. We were talking at least 20-25 min.

Here's the deal, and now I know why the Old Enysford is smacking me compared to Goex.

70gr with a .495 ball.

Goex.....1550
OE.........1790
Swiss.....1814

[Hanshi]

As I've been convinced for some time now, OE is the real deal.  I just need to get my hands on a pound or two.

[Fletcher]

It  appears that your numbers are muzzle velocity.  As long as consistent, I can learn
to work with about any powder.  What really concerns me is pressure and what the
manufacturers tolerances are.  Did you get any comparisons on those?

Sure I would love to have more velocity for the same grain weight of Black Powder,
but I really need to know that pressures are in the safe ranges.

[Kermit]

Hi, Fletch, how's the marquee doin'?

Here's the deal. Most folks shooting OE or Swiss dial back the load to keep velocities and pressures in bounds, but the velocity ranges you are seeing in the post for 70gr seem reasonable (although he did NOT tell us about cal., ball size, patch thickness, lube...).

When you cut back on the amount of powder used, you get more shots per pound, of course. Both OE and Swiss are cleaner and more consistent from almost all the reports I read. There have also been some disparaging remarks made about the cost of both of these premium powders, but when you break down the real cost, it's pretty insignificant when you add up all the other costs involved in getting you and your kit to a shooting event.

One more thing. If you are hunting or gong shooting, "minute of deer" may be all you need. But if you talk to the folks who are competetive in chunk shooting and bench RB and slug competition (where Swiss predominates), a few thousandths can keep you well out of first place.

So, you pays your money and...

[Muley]

I gave the ball size, which gave the caliber.

Old Eynsford is only $1.00 more per pound than Goex. It's a deal.

[Kermit]

I gave the ball size, which gave the caliber.

And so you did. My age is showing, I guess.

Many feel Swiss is a bargain too.

[Muley]

I used to shoot 2 cases of Swiss a year, but it was way cheaper then. Graf's wants $24.99 lb now. Way too much.

Old Eynsford is $15.99. Much better.

[sse]

Old Eynsford is $15.99. Much better.

Which vendor are you getting your powder from?

[Muley]

I get it from Graf and Sons. Fast reasonable shipping, and good to deal with.

I made a mistake though. I was thinking of Goex with the price. Olde Eynsford is $16.99.

Graf & Sons - Black Powder & Cannon Fuse

[sse]

Thank you...good information, too...

[sse]

So, I take it, OE is intended by GOEX to take away from the Swiss market...

[Muley]

Exactly, they told me that was their goal.

[Kermit]

Not my hypothetical, but here goes. Figure a chunk gun that uses 80 grain charges. Should be about 85 shots per pound. Chunk match runs 13 shots--3 to dial in, 10 for score.

OE is about $.20 per shot, so $2.60 to shoot the match.
Swiss runs about $.30 per, or $3.90 for the same match.

Difference: $1.30 per match.

If you are consistently among the top shooters, is saving pennies really worth trying? Some are, but Swiss is still very popular among chunk, RB bench, slug, and BPCR competitors. I think OE has some proving to do. I'm even wondering if Goex is selling OE at a loss to try to swing folks to give it a try.

I've got no dog in this fight, but it's fun to watch the run up.

If I was a competition shooter, I might give OE a try, but bottom line, I'd only switch away from Swiss if my scores improved. Pennies wouldn't even begin to figure into it.

[Muley]

I gave up competition shooting decades ago. I'm a hunter. Olde Eynsford is cleaner burning than Goex, and is the reason I bought it. It was a pleasant surprise to see the power it had too. I just thought i'd pass it on.

Nobody is asking anyone to give up Swiss, but it might be a change some might want to do who are using Goex.

[Kermit]

Yup. Different purposes. Glad you find OE cleaner and to your liking. I haven't tried it yet since I have plenty of Ol' Goex on hand for informal shooting and still have some Swiss to burn. If I could find a local source, I'd pick up a pound to try before my next bulk order.