In the beginning (when I first started Cowboy Action Shooting), I used the Holy Powder (Goex). And then a voice (a Cowboy buddy) said "You should try some of the new substitute, Cleanshot" (now called American Pioneer Powder & Goex Pinnacle).

And thus it was, that I followed the apostate powder and became a believer in the power of ascorbic acid-based propellants. I labored and tailored pistol, rifle and shotgun recipes, and persevered, winning titles and producing prodigious clouds of smoke along the Way. But, there was an emptiness, something was missing.

Then, the answer was reavealed to me - the searing flames and eye-squinching odor of true charcoal-sulphur-potassium nitrate derivatives - by an ancient practioner (another Cowboy buddy) who had continually forsaken the pretender powders. Once again, the forgotten knowledge was put into practice.

But, the very nature of the True Powder made it a rarity amongst merchants and purveyors of the shooting arts (guvmint regs on transport & storage). Once again I cast about to fill the gap.

Lo, I found yet another pretender powder. Discovered in a tiny bazaar in the market (Clearance aisle at Wally World). Powder, thy name is Pyrodex RS, which does provideth flames and odor.

Nay, it will never truly replace the True Powder, or the vitamin C cousin, but............




It only cost $7 a lb! :D

Hmmm. for about 3-4 bucks more a pound you could be using Schuetzen or another brand! Sorry, I can't conjure up any revelations that might sway you other than anything less than BP is not BP and never will be.

I'll state up front that I have only been an observer at a few CASS events so my thoughts should be taken with that in mind. The question is: "why would folks spend a BUNCH of money to enjoy "period correct" firearms, "period correct" leather, even "period correct" clothing...then use modern gunpowder...????:confused:
Not a criticism...just an observation.
Cheers,
Don

For the same reason you see "period correct" folks wearing wrist watches and designer glasses.

Nay, it will never truly replace the True Powder, ........ but............
It only cost $7 a lb! :D

and

Originally Posted by Jodum
For the same reason you see "period correct" folks wearing wrist watches and designer glasses.

Yep! Besides, this IS a "fantasy" game, otherwise it would be just NCOWS (National Congress of Old West Shooters), who don't allow Marlins, Win 92s & 94s, Rugers, or wristwatches.

I still use the real stuff, but let's face it, the way costs are rising, every little bit of $$ I can save on powder, lets me buy more cast lead bullets and primers (and we know how much THOSE prices have risen). And I just HATE to let a bargain slip through my hands!

[semi-rant mode - ON]

Then there's the problem that some shooters have, in that not every dealer wants to jump through the paperwork & licensing hoops associated with keeping quantities of real BP for customers. And there are some municipalities that have passed local ordinances against having real BP in their jurisdiction, forcing shooters to use what IS legal to purchase and keep there.

There has been and probably will continue to be folks that pooh-pooh the BP subs and those that use them, but think about this - if it gets new shooters into the different shooting sports, WHO CARES!?

Kinda reminds me of the fellas that carry $3000 single-shot trap guns saying that "black rifles" serve no useful "sporting" purpose and it's okay to ban them.

[semi-rant mode - OFF]

If I shot long-range, precision stuff, I might spring for the higher quality Swiss powder. But, since I shoot fast at steel targets with no scoring rings at 7-25 yards, and on average shoot 120-150 rounds of pistol/rifle & 25-30 shotgun at each Club match, not to mention what I bang out in practice, that's a bunch of powder and shot smoking downrange each month!

Belle..
You make an excellent point regarding the individuals who don't have a problem with the government banning someone else's choice of firearm. I've been a very active competitor in ATA Trapshooting and yes, I own one of those single-shot Trap guns..( mine is the $5,000.00 version). NOTHING gets me going quicker than to be at a Trap shoot and hear some of my fellow shooters make those "don't bother me" statements..."Who needs an AR", etc,etc. SOME of them got a wake up call a few years ago when they found their beloved and Remington 1100 Trap gun declared a "terror weapon" and thusly banned in some California jurisdictions. It's JUST STARTING folks...
People a lot more wise than I advised many years ago...we must all hang together, or surely we will hang separately.
Cheers,
Don

In the beginning (when I first started Cowboy Action Shooting), I used the Holy Powder (Goex). And then a voice (a Cowboy buddy) said "You should try some of the new substitute, Cleanshot" (now called American Pioneer Powder & Goex Pinnacle).

And thus it was, that I followed the apostate powder and became a believer in the power of ascorbic acid-based propellants. I labored and tailored pistol, rifle and shotgun recipes, and persevered, winning titles and producing prodigious clouds of smoke along the Way. But, there was an emptiness, something was missing.

Then, the answer was reavealed to me - the searing flames and eye-squinching odor of true charcoal-sulphur-potassium nitrate derivatives - by an ancient practioner (another Cowboy buddy) who had continually forsaken the pretender powders. Once again, the forgotten knowledge was put into practice.

But, the very nature of the True Powder made it a rarity amongst merchants and purveyors of the shooting arts (guvmint regs on transport & storage). Once again I cast about to fill the gap.

Lo, I found yet another pretender powder. Discovered in a tiny bazaar in the market (Clearance aisle at Wally World).

You are lucky to have found even that at wally world, as the majority of their stores around the country are getting rid of their sporting goods departments (save fishing and a few low quality tents) all together.

Powder, thy name is Pyrodex RS, which does provideth flames and odor.

Nay, it will never truly replace the True Powder, or the vitamin C cousin, but............

It only cost $7 a lb! :D


When I want to smoke I use Triple 7. Since it's a hotter, more powerful BP sub I can use less of it and still get all the smoke and boom needed. I also shoot the Cowboy 45 Special out of my 75 Remingtons since the case is about the length of the little known "45 short". I can stuff them full of 777 and still get very moderate recoil and velocities.

Maybe you've given Triple 7 a try already, but I thought I'd mention it.

SFT, SASS #35973

CAS is a fun, short range, quick action kind of sport. Minute of angle accuracy is certainly not at the top of the list.

However, when you get into Black Powder Cartridge Silhoutte, and long range Creedmoor competition, all the shooters, top and small, use the real stuff. The "subs" just don't cut it here.

guys the reason fake black sells so well is you can get easily,black is much harder to find
and when you order it there is haz-mat charge so small orders get pricey and there is a min of 5# at powder suppliers if you want a fair price.Fake is flammable and black is explosive so different storage problems with feds AND INSURANCE I BELIEVE ! MIGHT BE WRONG !