Substitute Pyrodex with Reloader15?

[Daniel Howe]

Normal charge for my little cannon is 90 grains of FFG. Can I substitute that with Reloader 15?

 

[robertrwalsh]

Depends on how badly you want to blow up your little cannon.

 

[Daniel Howe]

Well that would ruin my fun. I made it from 3" diameter cold rolled steel and bored a .76" hole 4" deep with my lathe. Guess its more of a mortar than a cannon. Either case I don't think it would blow up.

 

[Fishinfool]

I really have no idea of the pressure increase / curve you would be talking about, but the golden rule has always been never to substitute smokeless for black powder (Certain Savage / Remington muzzle loading rifles that were designed for smokeless are the exception).

I would think BP / Pyrodex would offer a more healthy flash / boom / smoke than smokeless anyway.

Larry

 

[Pondoro]

If you built it you specify the charge. Walls are thick. But I've heard never use smokeless in a muzzle loader. It has much higher pressure.

 

[mtgianni]

BP/pyrodex has a safety built in in that it will blow out the front what it can't burn. If you believe that your cannon, receiver and tracks are stronger than a 300 Winchester magnum I still wouldn't be near it when it goes off.

 

[bigboredad]

I'm just curious at to why? As already stated I would think the pyrodex or black powder would have a much more satisfying boom. Then again I'm jealous I don't have my own cannon

Sent from my SM-T377V using Tapatalk

 

[km101]

Have the ambulance service on speed dial!

Good Luck!

 

[2152hq]

90gr of Reloader#15 is a standard load in the 470 Nitro Express cartridge using a 500gr bullet, either the FMJ or SP.

I load it in my DR in that caliber. It shoots well.
It's a cartridge reloading smokeless powder, to be used for that
I don't know if you had plans for a projectile or not.

As a muzzle loading 'load' (fuze or cap ignition),,, no I would not use it in a bbl made from CRS even at 3" dia.

Smokeless powder does not generally make very good 'blank' powder. Some specially formulated stuff for that that is extremely fast burning.

Stick with BP or a SubBP.
You don't need much at all just to make noise. A good over-powder wadding will see to that.

 

[gwpercle]

Make sure and get the results on video....I would love to see what 90 grains of Reloader #15 does to the Mini Mortar .... this will definitely be interesting to watch .
Good luck and stay safe,
Gary

 

[k22fan]

Speaking from observing a naughty man who knew he should not be doing it, more often than not smokless powder blows the percussion cap back off the nipple venting pressure out the back before it builds up enough pressure to burn fast burning smokeless pistol powder normally. Some times the lead left the bore. When it did not there was a lot of unburnt powder left in the chamber and bore. Since to release pressure out the rear the cap has to blow the hammer back the amount of pressure that builds up depends on how heavy the mainspring is. One man survived his experiment and did not even damage his muzzle loader. A different experiment might kill you for all I know.

 

[joe44va]

I made this from a 3" bar of CRS. Bore is 40mm and I shoot ping pong balls with 25 grains of fff black. Gives a nice bang and a bit of smoke. Never thought of blowing it up.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Black powder is so much more fun, with all the white smoke and the smell of burnt powder............

Just my 2 cents.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

BP and the substitutes are not the same as smokeless powders. BP does explode but smokeless powders just burn very quickly.

Why do you want to use smokeless? What's wrong with a BP substitute? If you are looking for a cleaner powder than Pyrodex or 777 give Blackhorn 209 or Black MZ a try instead.

 

[fredj338]

Normal charge for my little cannon is 90 grains of FFG. Can I substitute that with Reloader 15?

There is no chart for interchanging smokeless for black. If i were to try it, I would look at slower powders with less steep pressure curves.

 

[cgt4570]

Since most of the noise associated with smokeless powder comes from breaking the sound barrier, I would expect a blank load in a small cannon to be underwhelming.

 

[Daniel Howe]

Black powder is so much more fun, with all the white smoke and the smell of burnt powder.

I think you are right. Smokless powder just would not be the same. So I got out the old school phone book and started calling every shop that sells gun stuff. Finally found one, "On Target" in Kalamazoo, MI, they stock Goex FFFG black powder. Will make the one hour drive tomorrow and pick up a can or two.

 

[BigMoneyGrip]

The problem that you will have with smokeless is ignition hole erosion. I made a cannon and started out using black powder. I eventually switched to smokeless and after using several pounds of smokeless, thats when I noticed. My barrel was made of forged inconel, so I would imagine that CRS would be even worse.

 

[reddog81]

I think you are right. Smokless powder just would not be the same. So I got out the old school phone book and started calling every shop that sells gun stuff. Finally found one, "On Target" in Kalamazoo, MI, they stock Goex FFFG black powder. Will make the one hour drive tomorrow and pick up a can or two.

PowderValley.com now sells Goex black powders. Probably not worth buying online and paying hazmat for 2 pounds but if you need other reloading supplies it might be a better options than driving that far.

 

[greenmachine]

You might show your next of kin how to update this thread.