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Make Your Own Black Powder?

HandLoad
I did when I wasa kid...Parents made me stop when a buddy blew up a too large batch while making it. Singed his eyebrows, blew out his eardrums, and started a fire.

I am wanting to try this again as an adult.

Anybody making their own Black Powder?

[EDIT}: Reason I am contemplating such a thing is that I want to see if I can sustain Gun Ownership for my Heirs in the face of a Lead Ban (I can make my own), a Primer/Cap Shortage or regulation (My CVA Electra doesn't use any), and a Powder Shortage. All I need to do is to make my own.
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Comments

43 comments

Date Votes
  • CookE
    I don't know you, but I would like to take out a "LIFE INSURANCE POLICY" on you, if you don't mind. JUST KIDDING..... THIS IS AN ABSOLUTE SUICIDE IDEA.
    PLEASE DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME, AS THE OLD MOTTO GOES.............
    CookE
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  • mbsams
    It never fails to amaze me how, in the face of overwhelming evidence, a suposed intelligent human being will ignore all the facts and do really stupid things that end his life and the life of innocent others. Let's be clear about this once and for all - If you're making your own black powder you are an IDIOT!
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  • ofitg
    If a person is not capable of following simple safety procedures, he should definitely not manufacture his own blackpowder....

    Or reload.... or handle loaded firearms.... or drive an automobile... or cook... or operate power tools.... or work in manufacturing.
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  • Riomouse911
    To each his own... just please make sure you'll only hurt yourself when you're doing it and sumptin' goes wrong.
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  • ofitg
    quote:Originally posted by Riomouse911
    To each his own... just please make sure you'll only hurt yourself when you're doing it and sumptin' goes wrong.


    That sounds rational... "to each his own".

    People who have no interest in making blackpowder can buy the commercial product.

    People who are interested can learn to make effective BP, and do it safely. The info is readily available. It requires some basic abilities to read & follow instructions.

    People who are too stupid/lazy to learn the procedure and observe basic precautions should steer clear of this activity.
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  • Wolf.
    quote:Originally posted by mbsams
    It never fails to amaze me how, in the face of overwhelming evidence, a suposed intelligent human being will ignore all the facts and do really stupid things that end his life and the life of innocent others. Let's be clear about this once and for all - If you're making your own black powder you are an IDIOT!

    I doubt very much that any of the GB members hereon are idiots, or even mildly mentally deficient.

    People actually do know the risks they take when they embark on potentially dangerous tasks and pretty much do not need your derogatory comments to guide them along the way. To help, if the member decides to go ahead with their project, other members have provided information and pointed them to various helpful Internet sites to get information and safety warnings.

    I find your comments to be offensive and if that is all you have to offer or say in this discussion, then I suggest you stick to topic threads where you can at least be more polite than you have been here.
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  • SXSMAN
    Guess I made it wrong when I was a kid.
    2 to 1 to 1 , think that's what it said in "Steal this book".
    We mixed it dry,charcoal ground down on a belt sander.

    Could I still make it today?

    Sure

    But with modern powders that are available today I won't.
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  • andrewsw16
    quote:Originally posted by Wolf.
    quote:Originally posted by mbsams
    It never fails to amaze me how, in the face of overwhelming evidence, a suposed intelligent human being will ignore all the facts and do really stupid things that end his life and the life of innocent others. Let's be clear about this once and for all - If you're making your own black powder you are an IDIOT!

    I doubt very much that any of the GB members hereon are idiots, or even mildly mentally deficient.

    People actually do know the risks they take when they embark on potentially dangerous tasks and pretty much do not need your derogatory comments to guide them along the way. To help, if the member decides to go ahead with their project, other members have provided information and pointed them to various helpful Internet sites to get information and safety warnings.

    I find your comments to be offensive and if that is all you have to offer or say in this discussion, then I suggest you stick to topic threads where you can at least be more polite than you have been here.

    AMEN and +1
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  • cmac231
    Until this article I thought I was worlds craziest do it your selfer. I have a formula for c-4 that I got thru paladine press pre 9-11. Still haven't had the balls(most will say mine are huge in this meaning anyways) to try it out. maybe if there is ever a invasion of the US. heck maybe brotherlaw can just get me some of the real stuff and I think Ill stick to real stuff black powder wise also. Hey maybe Im just getting older and wiser nope doubt that one.
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  • airmung
    In spite of all precautions, black powder mills used to blow up with frightening regularity. But if you insist on playing with fire....
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  • ofitg
    quote:Originally posted by airmung
    In spite of all precautions, black powder mills used to blow up with frightening regularity. But if you insist on playing with fire....


    Once again, it comes back to the issue of learning the procedure and observing precautions.

    The process of manufacturing one or two ounces at home is quite different than the process of manufacturing 100 pounds in a factory.

    The foremost precaution is - do not ball mill sulfur, charcoal and potassium nitrate together. In fact, there's no reason to ball mill potassium nitrate at all. Learn the procedure.

    Ball-milling one or two ounces of charcoal/sulfur mix is low risk; there is no oxidizer. Whatever small risk might exist can be mitigated by running the ball mill outdoors, clear of any structures.

    "Just the facts, Ma'am"
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  • andrewsw16
    Don't drive a car or handle firearms. They can be dangerous and can kill you and others. . . unless you follow proper safe procedures. Now substitute in "make your own black powder". If you are too ignorant to do it (drive, shoot, make powder, etc) SAFELY, don't do it. Otherwise, enjoy the experience. [:D]
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  • v35
    Components need to be individually ground very fine and mixed very carefully and thoroughly to work at all. Many materials become active
    and very sensitive to oxidation as they are ground finer.Depending upon how chemically active they are, it may take very little energy in any form to set them off in air or in the presence of an oxidizer.
    Commercial black powder is mixed WET to thoroughly incorporate the
    components.
    The Dupont explosion in western NJ a few years back should give you some idea how dangerous it is to make black powder.
    It put them out of the black powder business even though they made the stuff for 100 years and knew what they were doing.
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