Simple Black Powder process

In my previous post I described how to make black powder suitable for firearms.  If you want to use a simpler process you can eliminate the pressing BP into pucks.  After you have fully mixed the three chemicals (preferably using a ball mill) take the very fine powder and mix it with a 50/50 solution of water and alcohol until it is fully wet and can be formed into a ball.  Using rubber gloves kneed the ball until it has a slight sheen to it.  The amount of liquid needed to achieve that sheen is not very much so take it slow as you add the liquid.

For the next step you can use an $8.00 strainer from Wal-Mart (try to find one that has about 20 squares per linear inch).  Once the proper amount of liquid has been added force the ball through a stainless steel screen onto a cookie sheet or similar item.  Move the strainer around to allow the grains that drop through the screen to be scattered all over the cookie sheet.  Allow the grains to dry in a safe place away from any open flame.  Do not put them in an oven to dry them...please.  Once dry you have a usable black powder, place in a waterproof container to store until needed.

This BP can be used for various things and even for firearms.  However, it is not very dense and the amount to be used in a firearm must be carefully tested.  Basically it is quite fluffy and remember the finer the powder the faster it will burn.  Some discussions about using this form of low density BP claim that you should "weigh the loads of BP for your firearm.  I personally would begin with the minimum weight recommended.  For example my 36 caliber revolver suggests using 15 to 23 grains of BP.  Make sure you understand that the term "grains" refers to weight.  There are 7000 grains per pound so perform your calculations carefully.

I thought it interesting that the use of "grains" as weight referred to the count of "7000 plump grains of wheat" to make a pound.  Do not mix up grams and grains as measures of weight.

One use I have for this type of BP is splitting stumps and logs.  There are some interesting youtube videos demonstrating the use of BP for that purpose.  I have a large cottonwood tree that I would like to cut into planks for various uses but the log is over 4' in diameter and my sawmill will only allow a 22" log.  we are going to cut the log to length then split it with BP.  I'll post pics of that process later this spring.

Remember that BP is an explosive and your making and use of it is at your own risk.