Black Powder ....which ?

Question

I'll be doing my first dual deploy launch this weekend. While I could just borrow some black powder from someone at the launch I figured I should be more self sufficient and buy my own. I had remembered reading that 4F was what is considered best. Today I went to largest gun shop in my area and was told they didnt sell 4F powder but they did have 3F...so I bought it. The guy there said something about only being able to store 50 lbs so he said he doesnt carry it.

At any rate.... is 3F powder acceptable ? I think I remember reading that it was but not really sure. The guy at the gun store said I could take a couple pieces of 2x4 or mortar and pestle and make it finer....should I ? Also I was planning on using about a gram in each charge well. Should I use more if I use 3F ? Thanks for helping this newbie.

-John

David Weinshenker · Accepted Answer

3F should work pretty similarly to 4F for ejection.-dave w

Jerry Irvine · Answer

3F is fine. USR OEM specifies 3F for ejections.AT uses 4F.1 pound is a near lifetime supply for rocketeers.Jerry

J.Hardy · Answer

Does it weigh the same per volume? Should I use a bit more vs 4F?Thanks

Jerry Irvine · Answer

3F and 4F is fairly volumetrically equivelant. 3F burns a bit slower and is better for "ejections".

I believe AT (GCR) became fixated on 4F because his first motors were

18mm C sized composites where the sheer small size of the unit gives incentive to shift to 4F. But I have a 24mm/29mm/38mm perspective where 3F is superior.

Historical Jerry

cat · Answer

"J.Hardy"  wroteI use FFg as I usually make tight fitting connections (or use shear pins)and a slower forming ejection gas suits my needs. FFFg is said to be in therange of -20+50 mesh and FFFFg, -40+100. The smaller the mesh the faster theburn, by making a powder out of your BP you run the risk of overpressureingthe vessel.Below is a list mesh to grade found on the web:Sporting Powders:-0.5+4 mesh Whaling-6+12 mesh Cannon/Life Saving-10+20 mesh Saluting-12+15 mesh Fg-16+30 mesh FFg-20+50 mesh FFFg-40+100 mesh FFFFgBlasting Powders:-0.3+5 mesh FA-4+12 mesh 2FA-10+16 mesh 3FA-12+20 mesh 4FA-20+50 mesh 5FA-30+50 mesh 6FA-40+100 mesh 7FAMeal Powders:-40 mesh Meal D-100 mesh Meal F-140 mesh Meal XF

Black Powder ....which ?

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