is pyrodex just like gunpowder?

Question

also is it just as combustable?

Answer 1

Pyrodex is a blackpowder substitute. Its burning characteristics are quite simlar to blackpowder. I don't know what its chemical composition is. Modern smokeless powders cannot be used for muzzleloading guns because it generates much more pressure than does blackpowder. Most modern gun powders are based on either nitrocellulose or nitroglycerine or a combination of both. Blackpowder is made of charcoal, sulphur and potassium nitrate. They are completely different substances and are not interchangable.

Smokeless powder is classified as a combustable material while blackpowder is classified as an explosive. These designations are based upon the way in which they burn. Blackpowder has a linear burning rate that is independant of the pressures generated. It reaches its peak pressure more quickly than does smokeless powder but that peak pressure is less than that generated by smokeless powders. Smokeless powders initially burn relatively slower than blackpowder but as the pressure within the cartridge builds, the burn rate increases proportionally. The net result is ultimately a higher peak pressure but generated at a slower rate than blackpowder.

Answer 2

Pyrodex is gunpowder. It's actually considered a smokeless powder. Pyrodex is designed to generate the same pressure when loaded to the same volume as black powder. It is more stable than true blackpowder. Legally it is flammable not explosive that's why it can be sold and stored with a lot less legal hassel than blackpowder.

Answer 3

Pyrodex is a modern substitute for black powder. People use it because it fouls less, and is easier to clean than black powder. Also, in some locations, it is easier to find than black powder for the reasons the person stated above.

Please note, that for a long time before the invention of modern smokeless powder, lots and lots of brass rifle, pistol, and shotgun shells were loaded with black powder. A great number of buffalo were harvested with black powder cartridge rifles. The US service rifle in the late 1800's was the trapdoor Springfield, also a black powder cartridge rifle.

So, to answer your question, Pyrodex performs the same as black powder in a firearm. I do not know if it burns out in the open as fiercely as black powder does.

Answer 4

Yes, Pyrodex is a substitute for black powder. Remember though, that while it shoots a little cleaner, it is still corrosive and you must clean the black powder weapon just as well to prevent corrosion.

Answer 5

Pyrodex Gunpowder

Answer 6

Using this link:
http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=GWYA,GWYA:2005-32,GWYA:en&q=pyrodex
You can learn all about pyrodex. Several websites are listed.
Hope

Answer 7

Pyrodex is like blackpowder, not like modern smokeless powder. They do not interchange! Blackpowder guns and muzzleloaders use pyrodex, while brass cartridge guns and shotguns use gunpowder. These are propellants, not explosives. They are both combustible but pyrodex burns slower than gunpowder.