Gun Powder? A misnomer? (Definition meaning: Wrong Name?)

Guns do not need powder. Ammo does.

So why is it referred to as gun powder any way????????

Purpose and intent of this subject is not how to make powder. But rather discuss the ingredients used to make ammo powder and the variations of blends (Recipes?) for making it. Also a knowledge base on the subject of ammo powder(s) and there specific types and/or any variations, if any.

Powder is in every type of ammo. But is there any difference for gun types? Gun types meaning shotgun ammo, rifle ammo and handgun ammo. If so, what is the basic ingredients and the variations of blends for each specific ammo type?

Additionally, it is often said some powders are cleaner burning while others a more dirty burning. Meaning some leave behind more or less powder residues.

Example:
Often said 22 caliber ammo is "Dirtier" then any other type of powder. Is there any truth to that? Or is it just rumor or old school understanding or misunderstandings of powders used in rim fire ammo????? Is there a difference??? in 22 ammo powder versus any other ammo caliber size or type powder(s)???

Posting of links to sites also okay. Intent is to build a knowledge base built upon facts, not opinions...:NO NO NO:

Thanks
Tom

 

Links for your informational interests:

This Day In History: John Browning (Browning Fire Arms and Designer)

Gun designer John Browning is born — History.com This Day in History — 1/21/1855

Topics Of Interest:

Samuel Colt — History.com Articles, Video, Pictures and Facts

Gatling Gun — History.com Articles, Video, Pictures and Facts

Garand Rifle — History.com Articles, Video, Pictures and Facts

Minié Ball — History.com Articles, Video, Pictures and Facts

Interchangeable Parts — History.com Articles, Video, Pictures and Facts

Interchangeable Parts — History.com Articles, Video, Pictures and Facts

Video:
Interchangeable Parts Photos — History.com Picture Galleries

Ruger Family:

http://www.adamsguns.com/ruger.pdf

Ruger Family Crest and History

http://www.nytimes.com/2002/07/10/bu...<br /> y.html

Wolfe Publishing Company

Winchester Repeating Arms and Family:

The Winchester Family Tree - The world famous Winchester Mystery House

Welcome - The world famous Winchester Mystery House

The Movie - The world famous Winchester Mystery House

Marlin Fire Arms:

Marlin Family Crest and History

gunsinfo4u.com - marlin guns

Chuck Hawks Main Site Home Page:
Be advised. This is not a free site. Membership is required in order to interact.
Viewing is FREE. The information pages in the links below make for some great reading. Enjoy.

CHUCKHAWKS.COM: Guns and Shooting Online; Motorcycles and Riding; Military History; Astronomy and Photography Online; Travel and Fishing Information Guide

GUNS AND SHOOTING ONLINE

General Firearms and Shooting Information Here:
GENERAL FIREARMS AND SHOOTING PAGE

Handgun Types:
HANDGUN TYPES

Shotguns:
SHOTGUN PAGE

Rifles:
RIFLE INFORMATION PAGE

Rim Fire Rifles:
RIMFIRE GUNS AND AMMO PAGE

Handguns Info Here:
HANDGUN INFORMATION PAGE

Scopes and Optics Page:
SCOPES AND SPORT OPTICS, BINOCULARS, ACCESSORIES

Reloading Information Pages:
Reloading Page

Traveling and Fishing Information:
TRAVEL AND FISHING ONLINE - Las Vegas, Cruising and Cruises, Oregon, U.S., International

Links Pages:
GUNS AND SHOOTING LINKS PAGE

Remington's Defective Trigger Device:
"Defective Remington Model 600 & 700 Bolt-Action Rifles"

Remington Rifles With Defective Trigger Devices Reports:
Extremely interesting reading.

Remington Model 600 | 700 Lawsuit - Riff & Associates, PC

Documents Reveal Remington Wrestled with Potential Gun Safety Problems for Decades - CNBC

Remington Under Fire - CNBC

http://www.rifflawfirm.com/areas/pdf/remington4.pdf

http://www.rifflawfirm.com/areas/pdf/remington2.pdf

Brownell's Web Sites Resources Links:

Gun Smithing Schools:
World's Largest Supplier of Firearm Accessories, Gun Parts and Gunsmithing Tools - BROWNELLS

Join An Association Here:
World's Largest Supplier of Firearm Accessories, Gun Parts and Gunsmithing Tools - BROWNELLS

Gun Parts List Here:
World's Largest Supplier of Firearm Accessories, Gun Parts and Gunsmithing Tools - BROWNELLS

http://www.brownells.com/UserDocs/Le...Sourcelist.pdf

Schematics Parts Views. Click Brand then model.
Schematics/Factory Gun Parts Home | World's Largest Supplier of Firearm Accessories, Gun Parts and Gunsmithing Tools - BROWNELLS

Powder Burn Rates Here: Powder Burn Rates

Would Have Added Brownell's Web Site and Resources Links (Link found to the right of this page right on my site DIY) much much sooner then I did. However, but once I got there, I registered and made a HUGE ammo purchase... WHY? Because the shipping costs are cheap. WHY? Because of distance. Close enough to be my neighbors....

Disclaimer Note:
I have no vested interests in the web sites provided above nor any of the pages in the sites above. Simply offered to you for your reading pleasure, interests and knowledge base.



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Tom:
Being somewhat older than you, we called it gun powder because we poured the mixture from our powder horns directly into the gun barrel - back in the day of the blue and gray.

 

Actually...in the strict definition of the word...gunpowder refers to "black powder"...not smokeless powder.

I've been out of reloading for a while, but some powders do indeed burn "dirtier" in specific applications. I used Bluedot in my .45 loads and though it worked fine it seemed to require more cleaning than commercial loads or my Bullseye. I believe because it was considered a slower powder..it didn't burn quite as efficiently in the shorter barrel. May also have been that I was using loads on the lower end of the scale. Closer to mid or upper mid range will normally burn cleaner.

You will also get variations in cleanliness depending on the bullet used. One with an exposed lead base will normally dirty up the gun more than one with the jacket covering the base. That may be why .22s seem to shoot dirty...that and the fact they have a wax coating. I wonder if the new "green" copper .22s are any cleaner?

 

Hi: Vic

Good points you bring up.

Then there has to be different burn rates between powders. ??? Guessing here.

Depending upon the blends of ingredients. Which may vary between powder brands. And powder blending maybe???? Qualities of basic ingredients then also. (???)

Which is my point exactly. One then has to know which brand and blend to use in which application. If there where no differences between brands and or blends, then any brand would do fine. (???) Guessing again.

Equating all the above like blends of gasolines. Differences between gasoline brands and blends too. Basic knowledge is all gasolines are the same. However, each brand adds in it's own additives during tanker truck fill ups at the oil refinery from which they all obtain the same gasolines.

Then is it safe to say all brands of powder are equal? Equal in amounts of the basic ingredients? Regardless of which caliber is being reloaded or at the factory loaded??????

If so, then why would a 22 rim fire be so much more dirtier then other calibers. All things being equal.

Like almost everything else, the number of brands is or can be mind boggling. Confusing to say the least.... Like choices of grains of bullets...weapon used, barrel length, semi auto, bolt, lever actions....and on and on and on. wondering just how to make the correct choice for any given reload.........

 

Powder Burn Rates

Some good basic info here....

The best way to make a choice is to compare multiple reloading manuals to get what you are looking for.

 

I've been reading about but have not tried the new powders designed to minimize copper fouling. Couple them with Barnes bullets and I'm in heaven.

 

I am a shooter but have not gotten into reloading, yet. (My LEE progressive is still in the box.) I can tell you from experience that there is a difference in burn rates as seen from behind the gun. I can tell from the muzzle flash.

There is also a lot of science that goes into powders for getting certain burn rates, pressures and fowling. All of it is over my head but I will see if I can find any info.

BTW - I can't vote on the poll

 

Thanks to all that have contributed thus far to this subject in this knowledge base thread... More knowledge based info requested from those whom have knowledge and skills on this subject matter.

BTW:
Poll Voting should now be activated for and in this thread. If you care to vote kindly do so. Your input would be welcomed and very much appreciated. Intent is to inform, education and discuss topics relevant to the forums topic. Sharing is caring. Share your knowledge and we all learn...

No vested interests in the lucky gunner web site nor company business. However, on that site offered for and as free are the badges. Below the badges are posted into this reply.

Thanks
Tom

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More info, links and sites....

History Channel Top Shot Videos Online.

Top Shot — History.com Videos

Link above tested and works dispite strange appearance...
Scroll down page click first episode icon and video will play every video automatically.

Remington Model 700 Rifle Under Fire:
Remington Under Fire: A CNBC Investigation - CNBC

Remington Underfire News Story:

[B]>Web Page On Line Remington Under Fire:

 

Top Ammo Calibers:
Credit: Shooting Times Magazine.

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TOO LARGE!!!!!!!!!!.....BUMMER!!!!!!!!!!!.....

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Time to chow down. Dinner bell ringing....

 

I'm in France as news about a British SAS sniper's trial plays endlessly on the news. Others packed his kit and shipped home a gift handgun received from his Afghan friends. It' sat for a couple years. Then his room mate apparently was suspected of something so their apartment was searched and the gun and ammunition were found. In the USA there would be no crime and it would be nothing but this guy is up on serious charges. Makes me very glad I live in the USA and I can't wait to get home. Oh, and you can't find turkey and stuffing in Paris. Duck and fancy sauce 20 different ways but not good old turkey and stuffing.