Black Powder Poll, Which 3F for Trapper Pistol

[Super Spy]

Simple enough, I just got a black powder cap and ball pistol from my Mom for my birthday. It's a Traditions Trapper, 50 cal., and this is my first black powder shooter. I can get Pyrodex at Bass Pro or J&R, but I want some real black powder. I have ny C&R on file with Graf's so that seems to be my best bet. Which of the following black powder's would you recommend? I'll probably get the top 2 choices. If anyone is local and interested in splitting the hazmat send me a PM. Thanks for voting!

[Coded-Dude]

I have the same pistol...you will love it. I use Triple Seven FFg or FFFg(can't remember), but you are looking for real powder, so I can't help there. Good luck and have a blast. I want to get the Traditions Hawken .50 to compliment it, but have a few other weapons that are just as high on my wish list. Decisions, Decisions.....

[OldShooter32]

I use Goex in my cannon (1f) and order from Coonie's -- both the powder and Coonie's are great!

[tuolumnejim]

I've been using Goex in all mine since the 70's.

[Mutant]

In a pistol it does not matter unless you are a gold medal olympic shooter - and that might not matter. Go shoot it with any of them and forget paralysis by analysis.

[Flintlock Tom]

What ever is cheapest.

[CSACANNONEER]

It's not a high end target gun so, any real BP (except Elephant, if you happen on some) should be just fine.

I use Goex in my cannon (1f) and order from Coonie's -- both the powder and Coonie's are great!

+1 on Coonies. We get all our cannon powder from him. He's a real nice guy too. I've had the pleasure of meeting him at a few SHOT shows. But, I would not just order a lb or two from him. It's not worth the hazmat. He'll ship 25 lbs at a time. I'd suggest getting a group buy together.

[Super Spy]

I picked up some 777 at Bass Pro today, I smell a group buy happening. If anyone hears of one do holler. Thanks!

[animal661]

777 is good stuff

I prefer real BP nyself but buy subs when I have to

Make sure that you measure by volume and not weight

I use 20 Grains 3F for my Colonial Pistol

And its a blast to shoot

[scrat]

Goex, preferred howeved I have used others

[m1a1driver]

I used to use pyrodex but now I have a local source for GOEX and i've been using that since. Great stuff.

[corrosively_armed]

Goex being real bp is smokier, smellier and more fouling. You'll find it gets hard to ram that ball down after about 3 shots. I shot a trapper flintlock many many times and used goex since pyrodex isn't really designed for flintlocks although you can use it. Pyrodex pistol powder will save your hand a lot of pain. I found that the all natural citrus solvent from cabelas worked great for cleaning out fouling. I typically ran a patch down between each shot both to clean and to extinguish any possible embers.

[Super Spy]

Thanks for all the feedback, I will try some of the Cabela's Citrus Solvent

[gun toting monkeyboy]

I freakin' hate pyrodex. It is more corrosive than black powder is. Of the other synthetics, Clear shot was the best. (Clear, not clean) Alas, they kept blowing up the factory, so they don't make that anymore. 777 it probably the best of the current crop. As the others have said, with that pistol, which brand of real BP isn't going to make a lick of difference. Go with whatever you can find locally, or get cheapest online.

-Mb