It seems that after "Gun Powder" we moved on to the Nitro 'Smokeless' Powders that were 'Single Base' or 'Double Base' powders .. then we got 'Triple Base' - but the propellant mixes have become more & more complex with additives for this and additives for that - that they really now are all multi-based.
Link: https://www.chemeurope.com/en/encyclopedia/Smokeless_powder.html
- This next link might be a real 'time waster' as I found vast amounts of new tech stuff to think about .. I started reading it to learn how these nitro compounds were controlled as rocket fuels but NASA dragged me in and held me there for an hour or so ..
https://history.nasa.gov/conghand/propelnt.htm
- But if you are really into the shooting sport and fancy being able to make your own ammo from the four ingredients
- that process is fairly simple if you are not a clumsy bugger who's all thumbs & not allowed in the kitchen near hot surfaces or the knife drawer .. and if that is you well you definitely shouldn't be handling firearms either.
I really find making my own rounds with a die-set on a simple 'single stage' press very satisfying and economic - but don't kid yourself that you'll save money by rolling your own as you'll be shooting MUCH MORE of it for fun and likely you'll try variations such as heavier & lighter loads plus perhaps even DUPLEX loads where legal - these are now of course banned in NZ.
I taught myself 'Hand Loading' by reading books all about it - but it might be better if you have a mate who is re-loading and happy to show you what is involved.
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Marty K.
The only ammo I have bought ready made in the last 40 years has been rimfire. The only exception has been cheap mil-surp for 3-gun which is now not possible due to an over reacting government. I always 'roll my own' as then I get exactly what I want....
ReplyDeleteI cast my own bullets a lot too, and sometimes have had to make my own Black Powder when it has been in short supply... I run a flintlock, so it chews through it a bit... :-)
Brilliant Kathryn ... Was cooking your own 'Black Powder' fun & economic? - Could you find the ingredients readily ?? - I've thought about it off'n'on as it should be OK using a damp mix always until solar dried?
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ReplyDeleteRemove sulphur from black powder's triple recipe and you have sulphur-free smoke-less gunpowder.
ReplyDeleteSulphur...
- Makes black powder ~10% more powerful than sulphur free gunpowder. So what? Add more of the latter!
- Reduces black powder ignition temp. Hazard to makers, hazard to storers, hazard to transporters, hazard to users! No absolute need for the sulphur this unless you run a flintlock. You could opt to use sulphur-containing black powder only in the flash pan.
- causes black powder's blinding smoke by producing H2S.
- renders black powder residue super corrosive (H2SO4).
Sulphur free gunpowder is historically accurate, it was used by Swiss Artillery in the 1800s before the adoption of nitrocellulose type smoke-less powders. No more blinding themselves after the first salvo. Contrary to popular belief, the smoke problem was solved without nitrocellulose powders -- but nitrocellulose was also more powerful, which wins the day.
Cheers Pete .. That is very interesting. I may have to investigate further & research eh,
DeleteEnjoy this feast, Marty! VERY interesting historical dig by an engineer followed by quality experimentation:
Deletehttps://web.archive.org/web/20110520014915/http://musketeer.ch/index.html