I know true BP will hold up pretty much indefinately if kept dry. But what about the substitutes? None of them say anything about 'shelf life' on their websites.

The only ones I have on hand are 'Pryrodex' & 'Clear shot'. (which I understand is no longer made) Niether say anything on the containers.

I suspect 'Pyrodex' is real similar to true BP, but the other stuff I don't know about. I'd hate to load up a charge have it go pop and have to fight the ball out of the Bbl. with a worm. It just isn't as simple as all the 'Experts' say.

I know true BP will hold up pretty much indefinately if kept dry. But what about the substitutes? None of them say anything about 'shelf life' on their websites.

The only ones I have on hand are 'Pryrodex' & 'Clear shot'. (which I understand is no longer made) Niether say anything on the containers.

I suspect 'Pyrodex' is real similar to true BP, but the other stuff I don't know about. I'd hate to load up a charge have it go pop and have to fight the ball out of the Bbl. with a worm. It just isn't as simple as all the 'Experts' say.

Treat Pyrodex as you would a smokeless powder for storage.

Clear Shot I had to go bad on me and clump up- which is dangerous, I was told. That, I suspect is why its off the market.

Considering BP is $11.00 per pound delivered by the case, I'd rcommend that route.

__________________
Lost it all in a boat accident

Never had any experience with 'Clear Shot'.

Used 'Clean Shot' since it came on the scene several years ago. It has since changed name to 'American Pioneer'.
Same stuff and I continue to use it both in M/L and cartridge.

Not good in a F/Lock,,so the real BP is for that.

I've forever read and heard the reports of Clean SHot/American Pioneer spoiling in short term storage, clumping up, going bad in the factory sealed containers, etc.
I've never had that happen in all the years I've used it. I have never had any of it fail to work as it is supposed to. Yes it will lightly 'clump' in the container but it falls back apart when you pour it out and begin working with it. The older stuff will slightly change in color. I have a case of the older 'Clean SHot' brand from probably 10 years ago that I bought and put away after using 2 pounds out of the case and opening a third. That open canister was recently used with no problems in 44-40 reloads and the unopened bottles have their potency unaffected as well.
If any of that was dangerous, I'm sure it too would be gone from the market. If the clumping was in itself dangerous, I'd doubt the'd mfg it it in pellet form for preloaded charges.

Yes cleaning is as simple as the ads say. A patch or two with just plain water, then oil. No fouling at all in the action of repeaters.

But there is still nothing quite like the real thing in a M/Loader

Never used Pyrodex or 777 so I can't comment on those.

I've got some CleanShot now American Pioneer Powder that's 8 years old and it's as good now as it was new with no clumping. Mine has always been in an A/C house so the temp. stays about the same with low humidity year around. I don't know how it would fair in a non A/C building such as a garage.

Smitty

I had the old "Black Canyon" substitute go bad in less than a year. It worked well but only for a short time.

I am a believer in using REAL black powder - my favorite is Swiss.

I have used Pyrodex without problems in my Ruger Bisley vaquero.

Whether black or Pyrodex, I use a homemix "Friendship Speed Juice" for instant cleaning. Great stuff and costs pennies. It is simply:
One pint each of Murphy's Oil Soap, Hydrogen Pyroxide, and Rubbing alcohol. Two to three wet patches, a couple of dry patches, then Ed's Red for protection. When using these powders, I, as a precautionary measure, always run a couple of wet Ed's Red patches through them a couple or three days later. Whether BPCR or Revolver or muzzleloader - Quick, easy, and thorough.

Dale53