Another I.D. Needed

Jim McDougall · 17th January 2010, 06:08 PM

LOL! Well said Stu on the frustrations with the powder.
In some of the adventures reading on the Wild West gunfighters and the situations where black powder in up close events i.e. in saloons would actually set clothing on fire. In reading on use of the old muskets, it was said these things were often more dangerous to the guy firing it than the target if the charge was excessive or other variables.

Rick, I remember Dixie Gun Works, and what you describe on those low velocity rounds. It seems so strange to actually be able to see a bullet travelling through the air..like the special effects of todays movies.

All the best,
Jim

clockwork · 18th January 2010, 08:59 AM

I was in Northern Thailand few months ago and in the villages there they still used black powder guns. I even watched as they made there own black powder which was very intresting.

bluelake · 19th January 2010, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clockwork

I was in Northern Thailand few months ago and in the villages there they still used black powder guns. I even watched as they made there own black powder which was very intresting.

I've made my own bp before and it is an interesting process. It would really be interesting to hear about how the Thais did it and whether or not they continue using pre-20th century methods or if they have an electric ball mill in some shack. Are the ingredients (niter, charcoal, sulfur) found locally or are they ordered from someplace? Is a binder (such as rice rinse water) added to the mix or does the powder have to be remixed before using?

clockwork · 19th January 2010, 09:34 AM

hey Bluelake they used a pinkinsh in color nitrate that they bought in the local store (way back in the mountians) LOL. They also picked up the Sulfer at the store. he used the charcol from are fire then threw all of it in a Mortar & Pestle and ground to a fine powder then he would test his mixture by taking a small amount and light it and wound add more nitrate intell it burned to his satisfaction. his lead for the shot gun was also primitive they used the water drop system were they pour the lead into water to form the pellets.

bluelake · 19th January 2010, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clockwork

hey Bluelake they used a pinkinsh in color nitrate that they bought in the local store (way back in the mountians) LOL. They also use picked up the Sulfer at the store. he used the charcol from are fire then threw all of it in a Mortar & Pestle and ground to a fine powder then he would test his mixture by taking a small amount and light it and wound add more nitrate intell it burned to his satisfaction. his lead for the shot gun was also primitive they used the water drop system were they pour the lead into water to form the pellets.

Very interesting. It kind of sounds like how I make coffee--I keep testing until I get it the way I like it. Hey, if it works, why not?

kahnjar1 · 20th January 2010, 05:22 AM

An interesting aside from the original post! IF anyone is going to try this recipe be well aware that black powder can explode by PERCUSSION ONLY, and does not necessarily need a spark to ignite it. So be REAL CAREFUL if you are grinding it in any way!

Regards Stuart

bluelake · 20th January 2010, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kahnjar1

An interesting aside from the original post! IF anyone is going to try this recipe be well aware that black powder can explode by PERCUSSION ONLY, and does not necessarily need a spark to ignite it. So be REAL CAREFUL if you are grinding it in any way!

Regards Stuart

To keep on topic, I'll just send you a PM.

kahnjar1 · 21st January 2010, 04:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kahnjar1

An interesting aside from the original post! IF anyone is going to try this recipe be well aware that black powder can explode by PERCUSSION ONLY, and does not necessarily need a spark to ignite it. So be REAL CAREFUL if you are grinding it in any way!

Regards Stuart

I should have actually said "FRICTION" rather than percussion but either CAN cause black powder to ignite.
Stu

19th January 2010, 09:34 AM	#4
clockwork Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 93	hey Bluelake they used a pinkinsh in color nitrate that they bought in the local store (way back in the mountians) LOL. They also picked up the Sulfer at the store. he used the charcol from are fire then threw all of it in a Mortar & Pestle and ground to a fine powder then he would test his mixture by taking a small amount and light it and wound add more nitrate intell it burned to his satisfaction. his lead for the shot gun was also primitive they used the water drop system were they pour the lead into water to form the pellets. Last edited by clockwork; 20th January 2010 at 08:40 AM.

20th January 2010, 05:22 AM	#6
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,739	BE CAREFUL!! An interesting aside from the original post! IF anyone is going to try this recipe be well aware that black powder can explode by PERCUSSION ONLY, and does not necessarily need a spark to ignite it. So be REAL CAREFUL if you are grinding it in any way! Regards Stuart

17th January 2010, 06:08 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,945	LOL! Well said Stu on the frustrations with the powder. In some of the adventures reading on the Wild West gunfighters and the situations where black powder in up close events i.e. in saloons would actually set clothing on fire. In reading on use of the old muskets, it was said these things were often more dangerous to the guy firing it than the target if the charge was excessive or other variables. Rick, I remember Dixie Gun Works, and what you describe on those low velocity rounds. It seems so strange to actually be able to see a bullet travelling through the air..like the special effects of todays movies. All the best, Jim

18th January 2010, 08:59 AM	#2
clockwork Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 93	I was in Northern Thailand few months ago and in the villages there they still used black powder guns. I even watched as they made there own black powder which was very intresting.