? Black Powder vs. Black Powder Substitute for signal canon

[MrBrian]

A few Christmases ago, I got one of these brass signal canons http://www.brooks-usa.com/id4.html, but I have yet to shoot it because I haven't gotten any black powder for it yet.   With reloading powders being scarce, and me not knowing anything about different powders, I was wondering if I would be ok using black powder substitute in it.   I'm guessing the substitute is less volatile, and seeing that I wouldn't be using much of it, I didn't want a big can of black powder sitting around in my house if it's more likely to explode....    I'll be using around 30 grains per shot, and no projectile of course.  Just for celebrations mainly.      So school me on powders.

[DaveS]

If you want noise and smoke, use black powder. Noise and a little smoke, the substitutes are fine as long as it's approved for use by the manufacturer. Black powder is a safe stable powder if stored in it's original container away from excessive heat and sparks. Under no circumstances should you ever use modern smokeless powder. Your cannon should have came with a good set of instructions. Follow them to the letter! Storage requirements are the same for both types of powder. Those little signal cannons can be a lot of fun...but can be dangerous!

 

Dave

Edited August 26, 2014 by DaveS

[seez52]

I used pyrodex in mine for a long time because I couldn't get real black powder. Not quite as loud but does work. I picked up some black powder and now I'm back to using it.

[Lowpower]

Interesting question...

 

Goex is real BP and is readily available here in the U.S. There are other brands but places like Bass Pro normally carry Goex.

Real BP is explosive and sold as such. When you go into Bass Pro you have to ask for it at the gun counter. 

 

The differences in the powder is broken down in to how fine the actual granules are, the less number of F's the courser.

 

Goex Cannon (very big granules)

Goex Musket Fg

Goex Rifle FFG

Goex Pistol FFFG

Goex  Flintlock Pan Powder FFFG (very fine, almost like powder).

 

Most shooters use FFG in their Cap-n-Ball style rifles.

Some shooters use FFFG n the Flint Locks as it may speed up ignition. (Got that from Dave S and will be shooting it this weekend).

Most revolver (read 6-gun) shooters use FFFG  with their cap-n-balls.

The pan power, FFFG, is for Flintlocks and is fine enough to pour 1-3 gr into the pan to provide ignition to the main charge.

 

Triple 7 and Pyrodex substitutes run a lil bit hotter than Goex. 

 

I use Triple 7 in my rifles because I find them easier to clean.  It doesn't smoke as much and the recoil seems to be a bit less than

traditional black power.  I'd make sure you can use it in brass cannon.  I'd check with the cannon manufacturer.

 

Edited to add: it does't smoke as much because approx 50% of BP is not burned in the barrel but as it exits behind the bullet.  

That's the white smoke you see.

 

In fact, most of the cannons I see around our range are made of steel, either blued, but mostly stainless. Not brass. 

 

Lp

Edited August 26, 2014 by Lowpower

[DaveS]

Well said Lowpower. It's the brass barrel that would scare me away from using BP substitutes in the cannon. I don't know enough about them to compare pressures between them and traditional BP. I stear clear of them!

 

Dave

[Westwindmike]

I don't think you will have any pressure problems with Pyrodex and a TP wad in front of it.

[MrBrian]

Even though it's made of brass, it's a solid chunk of brass, and the walls are thick, I'll measure the actual thickness in a little while.   For now, I think i'm gonna take some of my GOEX BP 45-70 cartridges apart with a bullet puller whenever I feel like firing the canon... as I should be able to get enough powder out of each cartridge to fire it twice....  and that way I don't have to have a full can of BP just sitting around.  

[Ramjo]

You can buy small cans of goex from Sweeney. They don't take up much room. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Photoguy67]

dang, am I the only one with 2 cans of genuine bp and one can of substitute? :)

[MrBrian]

Here's pictures of my little cannon....   I took some pictures to show how thick the barrel walls are.  And don't worry, the little cannonballs cannot fit down the bore and nothing will be used as a projectile....  they are only for decoration.  The only thing else it needs is a little American flag.   It was a fun project     P.S.  Sorry for my crappy sign making, but my hands aren't as steady as they once were

[Guest tangojuliet]

i use pyrodex in my golfball mortar packed properly it will makes a boom

[Lowpower]

dang, am I the only one with 2 cans of genuine bp and one can of substitute? :)

Sounds like it. I have 2 cans of substitute and 1 can of BP.  :D

 

I plan on having 2 cans of each after today. The BP for my Flint Lock and the substitute for my Cap Lock.

 

Lp