Pyrodex RS to P

Ed Smurf

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Is is possible and SAFE to grind RS into P using a mortar and pestle?Anybody try it? Don't want (or need) to get P for a small quantity.
 
possible, yes. safe???? I doubt it. you want to try it, go ahead. I always like watching entertaining stories on my 6 o'clock news.
 
Really doubt that Pyrodex would ignite. BP is much more sensitive but even then done gently and in small quantities there would be little chance of ignition and danger. Protective gear would be wise, if it did happen to ignite it's so fast and hot you couldn't move away in time. Better to buy ffffg for thr pan.
 
Really??? I have been shooting flint for 35 years and have never done that! Three F and even 2F works fine for priming.

So the fact that you've never done it means ..... ? I frequently ground down coarser grade powder for my flinters. I didn't prime from a horn, but used a plunger type dispenser that required fine powder.
 
Do you know that the different pyrodex designation means a different granular size or is it a different chemical formula? Something to consider anyway.

I only shoot the real stuff and am therefore not too familiar with pyrodex but I would guess it's a different formula and that grinding might not have the results you are looking for. Hopefully someone else can give you more specific information.
 
I was speaking for myself and I agree. We should EACH speak for ourselves rather than an entire shooting community. What say we call a truce and get back to the OPs question.
 
Formula wise I would believe it to be the same.. Grind would determine burn rate.. My concern is would you be able to grind it consistant to give you proper results..
Leroy
 
It is my understanding, based on shooting BP for almost fifty-five years, and ALL the various Pyrodex products since they came out, that Pyrodex of any kind makes a useless pan filler in a flintlock firearm. It's because the ignition temperature is just too high for any kind of reliable ignition.

Do yourself a favour, and don't try and copy the late and much-missed Mr Pawlack in his search for something better, when it already exists in the form of the real stuff.

tac
 
It is my understanding, based on shooting BP for almost fifty-five years, and ALL the various Pyrodex products since they came out, that Pyrodex of any kind makes a useless pan filler in a flintlock firearm. It's because the ignition temperature is just too high for any kind of reliable ignition.

Do yourself a favour, and don't try and copy the late and much-missed Mr Pawlack in his search for something better, when it already exists in the form of the real stuff.

tac

TAC is correct.
Pyrodex is a poor substitute for BP in a flinter pan or as a main charge because Pyrodex has a higher ignition temperature than BP and grinding it finer won't change that. The finer granules will probably burn faster than coarse once ignited but reliable ignition is the issue. As a main charge Pyrodex ignition is not consistent in a flinter unless there is about a 5 or 10 grain charge of BP against the breech plug to ignite from the heat of the pan flash then in turn ignite the main charge of Pyrodex.
 
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I don't know about the conversion so I'll avoid giving that advise BUT this is what I will say. How much will a can of whatever (FFFF) cost you? Is it really worth risking not only your firearm but quite likely your own safety, for the sake of $20 or so? (Sort of reminds me of the guy standing in the pool of sharks, telling the camera man why the sharks wouldn't bite, then ,seconds later, one of them takes his entire calf off. Not a nibble, right off. And the camera filmed the entire episode.) Not worth the risk for $20. Just my opinion.
 
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