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Bashful
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Newbie

Post by Bashful »

New here, thought I'd say hello and ask an odd question.

Know little about suppressors and maybe a little more about shooting, not so sure of that. Question: Anyone here have experience or knowledge about using black powder in a suppressed rifle? Curious how it works, if it works etc.

:?:
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silencer_kid
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Re: Newbie

Post by silencer_kid »

i have not done so, but i suspect the designs will be similar but will vary because of the various types of BP, just as there is inside a std cased round.

a good suppressor is designed for a specific firearm using specific ammo. once you get outside of that the performance decreases, how much so depends on everything else that has just changed, etc.

what metrics (bore, length, round, BP) would you use a suppressor on, or plan to?
Bashful
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Re: Newbie

Post by Bashful »

Well, I went crazy awhile back and kluged up a barrel for my Contender. It's 19" long, .30 caliber using a cast 180 grain bullet with a wildcat based on the .357 Mag case. Pictures below tell the tale well enough I guess.

Image

It shoots OK, velocity around 1025 fps. This target was shot at 50 yards.

Image

Image

I'm asking because I've found BP a lot easier to clean than smokeless in the bore, and cleaning the suppressor after 20-30 shots is a royal PITA. Using a Silencerco HD9. Guess the real question is whether or not there might be any unexpected consequences.
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Re: Newbie

Post by RJT »

Other than its corrosive nature, I don't think there would be a difference between it, and smokeless powder.
You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.
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doubloon
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Re: Newbie

Post by doubloon »

RJT wrote:Other than its corrosive nature, I don't think there would be a difference between it, and smokeless powder.
That sounds like a specific difference.
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Tony M.
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Re: Newbie

Post by Tony M. »

I have fired black powder through a suppressor. I only fired about 10 rounds to see for myself if it would work.

It was a .22 using hand loaded BP rounds. The BP in question was home-made and fairly dirty. When I opened the can up after cleaning with soap and running hot water, there was still a fair bit of fouling in the crevices, so I don't think I'd do it without a serviceable can.

As I'm sure you know, real BP fouling isn't as corrosive as the substitutes, but the fouling is still salty and hydroscopic, so be sure to clean it thoroughly.

I fired it through a 9mm can, and it was as quiet as any other subsonic .22 ammo through the same can. I suspect the extra volume of the can helped contain the extra smoke of the BP loads.
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Re: Newbie

Post by RJT »

doubloon wrote:
RJT wrote:Other than its corrosive nature, I don't think there would be a difference between it, and smokeless powder.
That sounds like a specific difference.

:lol: :lol: :lol:

Should have said soundwise. Doh!
You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.
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T-Rex
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Re: Newbie

Post by T-Rex »

The corrosive powder would turn me away.
Sounds like fun though!
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CanOfWhooppass
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Re: Newbie

Post by CanOfWhooppass »

The 45-70 was originally a black powder cartridge, I believe the 70 is for 70 grains. You can still get it loaded that way and it suppresses well from what I hear:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/559254 ... -box-of-20

Most people that shoot muzzle loaders use a modern substitute rather than black powder for many reasons:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_powder_substitute

Suppressors tend to like small volumes of fast burning powder and black powder is that, but why choose a smoky dirty older technology?
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Bashful
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Re: Newbie

Post by Bashful »

Reckon I don't hang around those using BP subs. Mostly shoot large bore BP target guns, both muzzle loaders and cartridge guns. Conventional BP is, in my opinion, superior to all subs without exception. It is also easier to clean a barrel used with BP than smokeless.

I now know for a fact that cleaning smokeless residue from a suppressor is a job without joy. Can duplicate velocity in my rifle with BP, get smaller velocity variations and probably have an easier go of cleaning in the bargain. The main concern goes to any hazards that may stem from secondary ignition of powder residue with BP or chemistry that may adversely affect the internal components of the suppressor which cannot be removed for cleaning.
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CanOfWhooppass
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Re: Newbie

Post by CanOfWhooppass »

I stopped shooting muzzle loaders over 20 years ago, but my impression about dirty was the opposite. Can't speak to accuracy, minute of mule deer is very forgiving.

Maybe one of the industry professionals will chime in about cleaning.
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Bashful
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Re: Newbie

Post by Bashful »

Didn't say they weren't dirty, said they are easier to clean. Not getting into a debate about accuracy or precision re: BP slug guns. It is quite a bit better than minute of mule deer.
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kassenz
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Re: Newbie

Post by kassenz »

I'd recommend a user-serviceable can like Liberty Cosmic or Lane LLC 458 can you can take apart to clean.

I was taught to swab the bore after every shot, black powder is dirty, and may corrode stainless even.

and make sure to post LOTS of pics and updates how that is working for ya'

Got me interested. Sub'd
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Re: Newbie

Post by Tony M. »

What kind of lube are you using that's causing the smokeless to be difficult to clean?

I've got guns that have had 10K+ rounds of smokeless loads put through them and I've never cleaned their bores.

In no way am I trying to discourage you, I've just never had the same problem and I'm curious.

I agree completely about the substitutes, they where invented to make shipping easier, not shooting better.
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