How To Make Black Powder (For Firearms Part 2)

Summary

This video script outlines a method for creating black powder that surpasses commercial brands in power and burn rate. The 'CIA method' involves dissolving potassium nitrate, mixing with charcoal and sulfur, then solidifying with cold alcohol. After drying, the mixture is ball-milled for 24 hours and compressed into pucks using a 'corning' technique. The resulting powder is denser and more powerful than traditional methods, with Eastern Red Cedar charcoal proving effective. Tests show the homemade powder is faster and more powerful than Swiss and Goex brands, though Swiss powder is noted for less fouling.

Takeaways

• 🔬 The script describes a method for making black powder, known as the 'CIA method', which is claimed to be more powerful and faster-burning than commercial brands.
• 🧪 The process begins by dissolving potassium nitrate in a small amount of water and mixing it with charcoal and sulfur until it's nearly boiling.
• 🥣 Cold alcohol is added to the mixture to solidify it, which is then strained through a cotton t-shirt to remove excess liquid.
• ☀️ The resulting mixture is dried, and then further refined by ball milling for about 24 hours to improve its quality.
• 🏗️ After drying, the powder is compressed using a 'pucking die' and a 20-ton press to form uniform pucks.
• 🔨 The compressed pucks are broken into pieces and sorted by size using strainers, with the dust being recycled back into the milling process.
• 📊 The script emphasizes the importance of density in black powder, explaining that the homemade powder is denser and thus more powerful than traditional, uncompressed powder.
• 🌲 The use of Eastern Red Cedar charcoal is highlighted as a personal preference for the creator, but it's noted that willow charcoal is also known to produce excellent results.
• 📊 Speed tests are conducted to compare the homemade powder with commercial brands like Goex and Swiss, showing that the homemade powder is faster and more powerful.
• 🔑 The Swiss black powder is noted for its lower fouling, which is a significant advantage for some users, despite the homemade powder being more powerful.
• ❌ A warning is given against using Pyrox powder for flintlock guns, as it is considered inferior and problematic.
• 👍 The script concludes by encouraging viewers to like the video if they found it informative and to create their own content if they did not.

Q & A

What is the CIA method mentioned in the transcript for making black powder?

The CIA method involves dissolving potassium nitrate in a small amount of water, adding charcoal and sulfur, and mixing until it's nearly boiling. Then, equal parts of cold alcohol are added to solidify and bond the mixture.

How much water is used when dissolving 100 grams of potassium nitrate according to the transcript?

Four ounces of water are used when dissolving 100 grams of potassium nitrate.

What is the purpose of adding cold alcohol to the mixture during the CIA method?

Adding cold alcohol solidifies the mixture and helps it bond together.

What is the next step after the CIA method that separates the homemade powder from commercial ones?

The next step is to put the dried powder in a ball mill and run it for about 24 hours to further refine the powder.

What is the term for the technique used to compress the black powder after milling?

The technique used to compress the black powder after milling is called 'corning'.

What are 'pucking dies' used for in the black powder making process?

Pucking dies are used to press the wet black powder into uniform pucks that are about a quarter of an inch thick.

Why is the Swiss black powder considered to have less fouling according to the transcript?

The Swiss black powder is heavily graphited, which is believed to contribute to its reduced fouling compared to other black powders.

What is the difference in the speed of the homemade black powder compared to Swiss and Goex powders?

The homemade black powder is on average 100 feet per second faster than Swiss and about 160 feet per second faster than Goex with a 50 grain load.

What type of charcoal does the creator of the video prefer to use for making black powder?

The creator prefers to use Eastern Red Cedar charcoal because it is the easiest to obtain in their region.

Why does the homemade black powder have a higher density and power compared to traditional methods?

The homemade black powder has a higher density and power because it is compressed in a die, which makes it denser and more powerful compared to traditional methods that do not compress the powder.

What is the significance of the 2F and 3F sizes mentioned in the transcript?

The 2F and 3F sizes refer to the different granulations of the black powder, which are sorted using strainers. These sizes are important for the performance and consistency of the powder.