AR15.Com Archives
 Black powder
Spalding5  [Member]
5/15/2010 2:53:28 PM
Would like to know if Black powder is corrosive.
scuba_ed  [Team Member]
5/15/2010 4:03:45 PM
Yes.

Most black powder used today with muzzle loaders use a variation of this called Pyrodex. It burns a bit cleaner, but is still corrosive.

HellifIknow  [Team Member]
5/15/2010 5:24:35 PM
Basically yes.
Blackpowder residue will cause rust. It should be cleaned with water or one of the specialty BP solvents.
The modern BP substitutes are actually worse. Clean them asap.
sbrider  [Member]
5/15/2010 5:43:24 PM
Unburned, no. Fouling left in the barrel is hygroscopic. It will absorb water, causing the barrel and surrounding metal parts to rust. Clean the barrel well and dry completely. Then apply some type of rust preventative.
TVLL62CAL  [Team Member]
5/18/2010 6:39:47 PM
Originally Posted By sbrider:
Unburned, no. Fouling left in the barrel is hygroscopic. It will absorb water, causing the barrel and surrounding metal parts to rust. Clean the barrel well and dry completely. Then apply some type of rust preventative.


correct...in and of itself it is not corrosive like modern corrosive primers, and Pyrodex?...much more caustic than REAL BP.....if I ever suspected any of the Firelocks i have built for people were subjected to the likes of Pyrodex I would reclaim them from the owner.......