Black powder (reloading powder), available at gun stores, is sold by the pound correct? Is black powder less powerful than 70:30 flash? About how much does it cost per pound? I'm sure they won't sell it to kids, but is there any requirement other than being an adult? Thanks for the help.

I meant to put this in BB... if someone wants to move it that would be cool. There are probably hunters here who know some answers, though.

If you're 18 or older (or 17 and persuasive) you can buy BP for BP rifles-- it ISN'T used for reloading, smokeless powder, which is nitrocellulose powder is used for reloading. A pound of 4F Goex (a decent brand) runs about 12 USD, so you're better off making it if you're going to ever use more than a pound. I strongly suggest getting a ball mill, the ingredients, and making meal powder (homemade BP that hasn't been pressed and broken into grains)

BP is nowhere near as fast burning as flash. The gas outputs might be kinda close, but for a salute, no LE beats flash.

Then what would BP be used for, in fireworks ??

quote:Then what would BP be used for, in fireworks ??

Lift powder in bottle rockets and stuff, or you can use it in pipe bombs.

[This message has been edited by Funus (edited 07-17-2003).]

quote:Originally posted by And1Drew:

Then what would BP be used for, in fireworks ??

Well, legal uses are for blackpowder rifles/cannons/pistols for re-enactment, hunting, cowboy shoots etc. Illegal uses.... mmmm... lots.

Oh.... I didn't see that "in" before "fireworks"...

[This message has been edited by Third_Rail (edited 07-17-2003).]

Ohhhh... so the black powder is what gets the bottle rockets off the ground, and im assuming flash powder is used for the explosin (in the air).

Is there like a layer of BP on the bottom of the bottle rocket (touching the initial part of the wick), and then a layer of flash powder (after the BP) ??

There is clay seperating the bp from the flash. In the middle of the clay, there's a fast burning paper fuse(like the ones on firecrackers)that is ignited by the bp and a few seconds later the paper fuse ignites the flash.