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oughtsix
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Pyrodex
Sep 19th, 2017 at 8:48pm
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Whilst contemplating going to the dark side and using sacred black,  I decided to see what my options were locally.  Cabelas sells pryrodex.  Is it heresy to use it?   Does it correspond to the same loading?   just wondering
  

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FITZ-G
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Re: Pyrodex
Reply #1 - Sep 19th, 2017 at 9:09pm
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I have no idea how well it shoots. But this observation. My Brother in Law experimented with Pyrodex back when it was relatively a new product. We shot together. Me Shooting real black Duplex loaded. He shooting Pyrodex. As the day went on his rifle started shooting better, no cleaning or wiping between shots. My rifle needed occasional cleaning. Both were 38-55 Hiwalls, we both used the same bullet and Lube, Mine was Pope
his was a standard Hiwall #4 barrel. After shooting we gave both rifles a cleaning with Hoppes #9 and left the Bore wet.
When we went home I took his Rifle as he wanted me to do some work on it. This all on a Sunday. On Wednesday I decided to check my Pope. It was OK so I just gave it  fresh wipe with a Damp Hoppes Patch. When I checked his rifle I was horrified. Looked like the inside of Sewer pipe, nasty fouling Rifling, was not visible. Quickly wiped it out and oiled the Bore. I went over to see him and told him. I asked him about the Brass, had he cleaned it? he said no I forgot to.
We dug it out and it was horribly corroded. The corrosion had come right through the side wall of the cases. So, I had 3 cans of that stuff and never fired it, a few years later a Muzzle loader
friend asked me about Pyrodex and I told him the story. Well he still wanted tot try it so I gave him the 3 Cans with repeated warnings about cleaning. He used it all up and liked it but he did say he cleaned thoroughly. SO that's what I think about Pyrodex. It  shall never see the inside of one of my Rifles. 
HTH Regards, FITZ-G Shocked
  
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marlinguy
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Re: Pyrodex
Reply #2 - Sep 19th, 2017 at 9:13pm
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My younger brother used Pyrodex in a stainless steel Ruger cap and ball revolver. Since it was Pyrodex, and the gun was stainless, he figured he had things double covered, so left it without cleaning. A couple weeks later he picked the gun up and it was froze up so bad it wouldn't cock or turn the cylinder! He had to beat it apart, and the Ruger was pretty well ruined.
I wont use Pyrodex, even if I cleaned it well!
  

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slumlord44
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Re: Pyrodex
Reply #3 - Sep 19th, 2017 at 10:43pm
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I have used it in my muzzleloaders for many years. No problems if you clean it and re check it in a day or so. Not any worse than Black Powder in my opinion. Been using Tripple Seven since it came out. I find it to be less corossive than the original Pyrodex but you still have to clean it. Have waited til the next day with Pyrodex and no problem. Used some in my .45 Colt Ruger revolver with no issues if cleaned properly. Use black Powder in  a revolver and don't clean it and you will have a disaster.
  
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craigster
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Re: Pyrodex
Reply #4 - Sep 19th, 2017 at 10:55pm
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Probably the nastiest BP substitute out there. I'd use anything but.
  
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RSW
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Re: Pyrodex
Reply #5 - Sep 19th, 2017 at 11:07pm
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Pyrodex gets a bad rap when it comes to cleaning. No one would leave their firearm or brass after shooting with black powder but somehow think Pyrodex should be harmless to steel or brass. Clean after shooting with it and you'll have no problems.
Pyrodex is certainly accurate. I spent considerable time shooting straight black, duplex and Pyrodex. In my 38-50 (Rem) Cody-Ballard with Krieger ML barrel my best groups with Pyrodex were approximately 1 MOA (plus/minus .1 inch) for 10 shots at 200 yards, shot off a double rest. Groups were shot dirty, muzzle loaded with 1/16 inch gap between bullet base and case mouth (gap filled with felt wad). Bullets pan lubed with SPG. Sight was 20X Lyman Super TargetSpot. 
Pyrodex equaled my best straight black and duplex loads for 10 shots at 200 yds.
  

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nuclearcricket
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Re: Pyrodex
Reply #6 - Sep 20th, 2017 at 8:02am
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I have a can of Pyrodex setting in the reloading room, I dont' think that I have ever used any of it for anything. I have read too many bad things about it so I just never tried any of it. 
It just seems to me that many many people are afraid of the cleaning procedure after using black powder. Well after shooting many many pounds of black, I prefer that clean up to smokeless, hands down. I will admit that I do use a black solvent that is no longer available but have also used some that is  and they both seem to work just fine. A few wet patches through the bore, followed by dry and some oil and your done. If you have some leading, well you will have to mine that out but that would be the same as any other propellant.
Yes cleaning  your brass is a bit of a pain in the behind.  I tumble mine with abrasive media and some soap, rinse thoroughly and then tumble it in walnut media. My brass comes out clean and ready to go. 
I dont  have any problems with my guns rusting or my brass turning green if I take care of everything in a timely manner.
Do not fear the black, embrace it. The right load will shoot quite well and very consistently. Once you find what your rifle likes, you will both be very happy.
Sam
  
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KAF
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Re: Pyrodex
Reply #7 - Sep 20th, 2017 at 10:26am
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Use black powder.  Order some or find a local supplier.


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I have BP i'll most likely ever use.

  
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frnkeore
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Re: Pyrodex
Reply #8 - Sep 20th, 2017 at 10:42am
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I don't know what the status is for this company but, it looks like they haven't had any powder since before May of this year.

Frank
  

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beltfed
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Re: Pyrodex
Reply #9 - Sep 20th, 2017 at 11:11am
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Frank,
At PowderInc, they do not have my favorite Swiss 1.5 
But they do have Old Eynsford 1.5 in stock. Its said to be very good, too.
beltfed/arnie
  
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rkba2nd
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Re: Pyrodex
Reply #10 - Sep 20th, 2017 at 2:24pm
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these are all good reasons why a vast majority of shooters made the transition to smokeless powder over one hundred years ago. pure nostalgia seems the only good reason to do otherwise. I don't see shooters clamoring for the return of mercuric primers. just one isolated opinion!
  

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Re: Pyrodex
Reply #11 - Sep 20th, 2017 at 2:33pm
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Grafs has a pretty good selection of black in stock.
  
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svartkruttgris#369
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Re: Pyrodex
Reply #12 - Sep 27th, 2017 at 1:40pm
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For many, many years I shot Cowboy Action matches with both 777ffg and Swiss FFg in my 44-40s with BP lube on the bullets. All guns were modern steel, two Rugers and one Brazelian M92 Win copy, and "modern steel" Husqvarna doubles. I never cleaned bore on any during 6-stage shooting days -- I did clean after each day's shooting, 777ffg or Swiss FFg. I almost never missed a rifle target and seldom pistol targets or flying shotgun targets. Guns held their group sizes and patterns through 6 stages (60 shots rifle and shotgun and 30 shots each revolver). No problems with either as regards cleaning or groups size. Cleaned after each day's shooting and checked/recleaned on day after. A decade later bores and innards of all guns were/are rust free and no pitting.

I did use Pyrodex Pistol powder for years before 777 appeared, in same guns as above, plus TC muzzle loader and shotguns. Also never a problem with either group size, patterns or cleaning issues.

Cleaning fluid was hot water, followed by Windex as a drying agent. After cleaning all guns were hot air dried using ordinary cheap hair dryer, the all metal surfaces coated with Rem Oil.

I ONLY use Swiss BP or 777ffg. ALL Goex BPs have been really bad performers in all my BP cartridge guns and muzzle loader.
  
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