Author Topic: ???? (Read 740 times)

Illhunter · « **on:** February 19, 2006, 05:43:18 PM »

have any of you ever used goax powder or had any problems with the smokeless powder i was told by a guy at a gun show not to use any of the synthetic powders it damages the barrel and he also suggested using lead balls with the goax powder said it was much better for muzzleloaders if any of you have had any experience with goax i would like your opinion if it is better or not any help would be appreciated thanks Terry

mangulator · « **Reply #1 on:** February 20, 2006, 06:04:33 AM »

I have used black powder and Triple 7, and pyrodex and found I like the pyrodex. I have not harmed my barrel, with good cleaning after shooting or hunting your muzzleloader will last for years.

Busta · « **Reply #2 on:** February 20, 2006, 07:22:13 AM »

Quote from: Illhunter

have any of you ever used goax powder or had any problems with the smokeless powder i was told by a guy at a gun show not to use any of the synthetic powders it damages the barrel and he also suggested using lead balls with the goax powder said it was much better for muzzleloaders if any of you have had any experience with goax i would like your opinion if it is better or not any help would be appreciated thanks Terry

Terry,

I think I read on another post that you were just getting interested in muzzleloaders, so the following information is for the beginner. Please forgive me if I am wrong.

Goex Black Powder is a very good powder and has been around for a long time. However it is getting harder and harder to find retailers that handle the powder since it is considered an "explosive".

Pyrodex, Triple Se7en, Black Mag3, American Pioneer Powder, Goex Pinnacle are all SUBSTITUTE Black Powder replacements and are fine to use in inline muzzleloaders. These powders are classified as "smokeless propellants" only for transportation and storage, however they all do SMOKE like Black Powder. None of these powders will damage your barrel when used as the manufacturers suggest. DO NOT MISTAKE THESE "SUBSTITUTE BLACK POWDER" POWDERS WITH "TRUE SMOKELESS POWDERS" DESIGNED FOR USE IN RELOADING MODERN CARTRIDGE RIFLES, PISTOLS AND SHOTGUNS. These "TRUE SMOKELESS POWDERS" are NOT safe to use in muzzleloaders unless recommended by the manufacturer. The only muzzleloaders that are designed to use "TRUE SMOKELESS POWDERS" that I am aware of are Savage, NULA or SMI replacemant barrels.

Black Powder and Pyrodex are very corrosive and all of these substitutes fowling will draw moisture to your barrel. All of these powders must be cleaned from your rifle after firing, some sooner than others or you will have problems eventually with corrosion. Pyrodex and Black Powder (Goex) would require immediate attention, the non-corrosive substitutes will by you a little more time but all fowling draws moisture and moisture and steel make a perfect environment for rust. So while the powder itself may not be corrosive, it's fowling surely is not.

This fellow at the Gun Show I take it was a Traditionalist and shoots either flintlocks or sidelocks with barrel twists in the 1-66" arena. Patched lead balls and Goex black powder are the norm with these types of rifles and these are likely the only black powder rifles he has any experience with.

If you have a Huntsman/Sidekick or another inline rifle, these have a modern rifling twist in the 1-28" arena if a .50 caliber. These rifles are not your "Daddy's Black Powder Rifles", they will shoot saboted bullets and conicals better than patched lead round balls as designed due to the faster twist.

My best advice is to stick around here, read as much as you can, ask questions when you don't understand something. There are NO stupid questions when dealing with muzzleloaders. Muzzleloaders are fun and safe and very effective when used as directed.

Tell us what kind of rifle you have and we can better help you in your muzzleloading experience. Good luck.

Illhunter · « **Reply #3 on:** February 20, 2006, 07:51:27 AM »

i am getting the huntsman and have heard good things about the american pioneer powder as far as cleanup and shooting. i was told by a dealer he shoots american pioneer powder ans sabertooth bullets and they shoot great. also was told the app cleans up with soap and water so very easy cleaning. very good info Busta i think it will help alot on deciding which powder to use and any suggestions on bullets and load would help and i will be checking in on a regular basis for any info,help, and with any other questios i may have thaks you all very much for the help Terry

Illhunter · « **Reply #4 on:** February 20, 2006, 07:54:35 AM »

i am getting the huntsman and have heard good things about the american pioneer powder as far as cleanup and shooting. i was told by a dealer he shoots american pioneer powder ans sabertooth bullets and they shoot great. also was told the app cleans up with soap and water so very easy cleaning. very good info Busta i think it will help alot on deciding which powder to use and any suggestions on bullets and load would help and i will be checking in on a regular basis for any info,help, and with any other questios i may have thaks you all very much for the help Terry

Busta · « **Reply #5 on:** February 20, 2006, 08:36:57 AM »

Illhunter,

I tried to edit my last post, but it won't let me. There were a couple things that didn't sound right after I read through it again. This section should read as it does below the quote.

Quote

Pyrodex and Black Powder (Goex) would require immediate attention, the non-corrosive substitutes will by you a little more time but all fowling draws moisture and moisture and steel make a perfect environment for rust. So while the powder itself may not be corrosive, it's fowling surely is not.

Corrected version.
Pyrodex and Black Powder (Goex) would require immediate attention, the non-corrosive substitutes will buy you a little more time but all fowling draws moisture and moisture and steel (even stainless steel) make a perfect environment for rust. So while the powder itself may be non-corrosive, the moisture drawn to it's fowling is corrosive.

As far as loads, I am happy to say my Huntsman has not found a bullet it doesn't like. With a scope and good rest most loads can be tuned to shoot MOA, with a peep and good rest I can keep the conicals under 2" at 100 yards. The least accurate bullet I have ever shot out if it was the 245 grain PowerBelt, the 295 grain PowerBelt would be the next least accurate (around 2-1/2 to 3" at 100). I use 430 (White) & 460 (No Excuses) grain conicals for hunting Elk in Colorado with 80 grains FFFG Triple Se7en and a Fiber (gasket) wad. For whitetails I use everything from 200 grain Shockwaves with 100 grains BM3 to the Elk load above. Some other loads would be the 250 & 300 grain Hornady SST with 85 grains FFG 777. Most any saboted bullet in the 200-300 grain range shoot very well out of my Huntsman with the right powder.

You can do a search here on "loads for Huntsman" or similar and there is a wealth of knowledge in past posts. Depends mostly on what type of projectile you would like to use, but we will get you going in the right direction. Everyone has a different style and taste in projectiles and powders, just don't be afraid to ask questions, it cuts the learning curve way down, keeps you safe and will save you time, money and grief.