Making 18th and 19th Century Gun Powder

[KDubs]

https://youtu.be/j6BEYtz5XHQ?si=IJmSAoW_rJvmsynb
 So Jake has modified his pressing methods.  Guess I didn't need to spend 350$ on a new 20 ton press and pucking die.
This more aligns with Terry on the times gone tech videos where he uses a C clamp to press his powder
 I made a few of the " new" pucks and they are quite hard , ground up a little bit and open air tested it, very fast.
 As soon as I get time I'll test it thru the Chrono and compare it to my older powder from the over pressed method.
Stand by for news!

Kevin

[Rob DiStefano]

I had a 20 ton press, what a pain.  I ditched that for a 1 ton press and experienced no difference in powder quality.  My process pretty much parallels Terry's.

[KDubs]

I hear ya, live and learn.
 Eric went out and got a 20 ton press and rockysworks pucking die too.
 Wish I'd stuck with Terry's method from the get go but I'm sure that press will sell when garage sale season comes along. 
 Kevin

[Rob DiStefano]

I have a Rocky's puck die, too big, never even bothered to use it.

I use this one ...

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https://www.ebay.com/itm/135023497542

[Second-rate Marksman]

Kind of a bummer to have spent hundreds of dollars on equipment at Jake's urging only to find that it's now unnecessary and obsolete, but he's experimenting and learning as he goes, just as we all are.

I've screened powder in the past with decent results, though I had to double my powder charges to achieve comparable velocities as commercial powder. Like I was explaining to Kevin... who really cares if it requires extra powder, though, when you can make the stuff at such a very small fraction of what you'd pay for the commercial equivalent. It's inconsequential, if you ask me. This is how it was done up until the late 1700's, so it ought to be good enough for you and I, right?

I've got quite a bit of Pyrodex from when I was first introduced to muzzleloading. I'm seriously considering using the stuff in my fowler cartridges, with a 10/15 grain "booster" charge of holy black sitting on top of the cartridge, and priming the pan with my priming horn. Thought perhaps I might be able to make my existing black powder go farther this way, although I'm fully aware of the drawbacks.

[Rob DiStefano]

Yup the chemicals and tooling components to make really good holy black are cheap 'n' easy.

Terry's giant "C" clamp produces really GOOD powder - there's really no need to jump through hoops and empty big dollars for what can be made for a fraction of the commercial cost.

I can fully understand any newbie concerns - I was there too, big time - it's not as complicated or dangerous as one erroneously thinks. 

Making the holy black is far less dangerous than not clearing out a bbl that's just been shot and immediately dumping down a full measure of powder - now THAT is scary stuff!