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gunpowder
Gunpowder, also known as black powder, is the earliest known chemical explosive. It is a mixture of sulfur, charcoal, and potassium nitrate (saltpeter). The sulfur and charcoal act as fuels, and the saltpeter is an oxidizer. Because of its burning properties and the amount of heat and gas volume that it generates, gunpowder has been widely used as a propellant in firearms and as a pyrotechnic composition in fireworks. Formulations used in blasting rock (such as in quarrying) are called blasting powder. Gunpowder is mainly used in older guns now because the propellants used today are too powerful and could break the already fragile barrels.
Gunpowder is assigned the UN number UN0027 and has a hazard class of 1.1D. It has a flash point of approximately 427–464 °C (801–867 °F). The specific flash point may vary based on the specific composition of the gunpowder. Gunpowder's specific gravity is 1.70–1.82 (mercury method) or 1.92–2.08 (pycnometer), and it has a pH of 6.0–8.0. It is also considered to be an insoluble material.
Gunpowder was, according to prevailing academic consensus, invented in the 9th century in China, and the earliest record of a written formula for gunpowder appears in the 11th century Song dynasty text, Wujing Zongyao. This discovery led to the invention of fireworks and the earliest gunpowder weapons in China. In the centuries following the Chinese discovery, gunpowder weapons began appearing in the Muslim world, Europe, and India. The technology spread from China through the Middle East or Central Asia, and then into Europe. The earliest Western accounts of gunpowder appear in texts written by English philosopher Roger Bacon in the 13th century.
Gunpowder is classified as a low explosive because of its relatively slow decomposition rate and consequently low brisance. Low explosives deflagrate (i.e., burn) at subsonic speeds, whereas high explosives detonate, producing a supersonic wave. Gunpowder's burning rate increases with pressure, so it will burst containers but just burns in the open. Ignition of the powder packed behind a bullet must generate enough pressure to force it from the muzzle at high speed, but not enough to rupture the gun barrel. Gunpowder thus makes a good propellant, but is less suitable for shattering rock or fortifications. Gunpowder was widely used to fill artillery shells and in mining and civil engineering to blast rock roughly until the second half of the 19th century, when the first high explosives (nitro-explosives) were devised and formulated. Gunpowder is no longer used in modern explosive military warheads, nor is it used as main explosive in mining operations due to its cost relative to that of newer alternatives such as ammonium nitrate/fuel oil (ANFO). Black powder is still used as a delay element in various munitions where its slow-burning properties are valuable.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/ammunition-prices-increasing-with-concerns-over-gunpowder/ar-AA1mmx3o?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531&cvid=2fe6f312150c447ebdbdb9e8421a09a3&ei=183
"Vista Outdoor, a parent company to many firearms businesses, will increase its ammunition prices due to an anticipated...
Hi all. Almost two years ago now, I purchased everything needed for reloading 9mm (some of you may remember me buying casings and gunpowder from you!). Very unfortunately, I've found I just simply don't have the time I was hoping I would. I have used it twice since then, and the rest of the time...
Here's some old stuff that you all might get a kick out of. I have three tins of this that have been sitting on my shelf for 20 years.
It came from an estate and was old when I got it. It's been stored well, looks and smells good. I've never used it because I've never found a use for it...
Still looking for AA2520. If you see some for sale or have some would appreciate the help!
I have N130 N133 N135 to trade
Or anyone want to split hazmatshipping ?
I've got some extra Hodgdon 700x powder. This is a very versatile flake powder used in both shotgun and handgun applications. Great 45 acp powder, also good in 38 special, 40 and 9mm (and others)
8 lb fresh factory sealed cannister.
$250. FTF, Brush Prairie/Vancouver WA area. Thanks for looking!
You may have recently seen CBI pistol powder advertised at really cheap prices and wondered what it is.
CBI stands for Clean Burning Initiators (or Ignitor) and used as a prefire prime in 155 Howitzers. It is a bulky flake powder that is very clean burning and fairly low pressure.
It is...
2 @ 4lb jugs of that magical fairy dust Vihta Vuori N320. Sealed, February 2021 manufacture date. Purchased from Bobcat Armament in September. Bought too much, just selling for what I paid. $240 each or $440 for both. Cash only, no trades, no shipping, meet in Tigard near Oregon Rifleworks
I have a few pounds of Accurate No. 2 to sell to pay for some other expenses. Asking $40 per pound. I will remove the ad when all of it is gone.
In NE Salem. Please message or call for details or to schedule pickup. No trades, thank you.
97I.221.3O68
I've got a fresh, sealed 8 lb canister of H335 for sale at $325. FTF, cash. I'm in Battle Ground, WA. Would consider a trade for 4 bricks Small Pistol Primers.
Got a couple 8# sealed jugs of Varget. Always stored indoors, climate controlled.
Looking to trade for CCI small pistol primers, or match grade small rifle primers.
Ratio would depend on primers and primer type.
Thanks for looking!
I thought my fellow reloaders might be amused by this.
I had just poured some HP-38 gunpowder into my powder measure in preparation for loading up some 357 Mag cartridges when I noticed some odd pieces of gunpowder sticking up inside the dispenser. On closer inspection, I found this was not...
Hello,
I have 2 lots of gunpowder for sale...at the moment I am looking to sell as 2 lots.
Only trades are good, high quality optics or handguns....safe won't hold any more rifles:
Lot 1: 17 lb containers...some are open, but not used. some are sealed. Some are 1/2 full.
probably 15 lbs...
I've been doing some reading on spearguns lately. Most of them out there now appear to be powered by rubberband or pneumatic system. I did, however, find that there were some produced in decades past that were powered by what appears to be a blank cartridge.
Out of curiosity:
How common was...