Swiss Anyone?

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   A few months ago, I had a chanch to buy some Swiss Black Powder.  The Elephant I usually buy was $8.00/ pound and the Swiss was $15/pound.

I had heard good things about the Swiss so I bought it to use in one of my Silar Flintlock .50 cal rifles.

With Elephant, I could typically get between 4 and 6 shots before I would have to wipe the bore.  Failure to wipe the bore resulted in very hard loading.

The Elephant powder also was not very fast in igniting.  I am not talking hang fire, (although it would every once in a while) just a notable flash in the pan and then boom!

When I tried the Swiss, I was flat amazed!

The rifle fired before I even saw the flash in the pan!  

No delays, no hangfires, instant ignition.

Not only that, but I fired over 20 rounds without having to wipe the bore once.  It loaded easily every time.

The guy I bought it from said Swiss is Sporting Grade powder and is more powerful.  He said to reduce the load 10-15 percent.  

Although I didn't have a cronograph, the results on the target bore out what he said.  It shot about 1 inch high at 50 yards.

If you have a choice (or can find it) I would urge you to try some of the Swiss.  I think you will like it.

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'Zonie Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .223 Remington Joined: 21 December 2003 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 81	Topic: Swiss Anyone? Posted: 25 May 2004 at 18:13
	A few months ago, I had a chanch to buy some Swiss Black Powder. The Elephant I usually buy was $8.00/ pound and the Swiss was $15/pound. I had heard good things about the Swiss so I bought it to use in one of my Silar Flintlock .50 cal rifles. With Elephant, I could typically get between 4 and 6 shots before I would have to wipe the bore. Failure to wipe the bore resulted in very hard loading. The Elephant powder also was not very fast in igniting. I am not talking hang fire, (although it would every once in a while) just a notable flash in the pan and then boom! When I tried the Swiss, I was flat amazed! The rifle fired before I even saw the flash in the pan! No delays, no hangfires, instant ignition. Not only that, but I fired over 20 rounds without having to wipe the bore once. It loaded easily every time. The guy I bought it from said Swiss is Sporting Grade powder and is more powerful. He said to reduce the load 10-15 percent. Although I didn't have a cronograph, the results on the target bore out what he said. It shot about 1 inch high at 50 yards. If you have a choice (or can find it) I would urge you to try some of the Swiss. I think you will like it.
	Just Jim Keep your eyes peeled

TasunkaWitko Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Administrator aka The Gipper Joined: 10 June 2003 Location: Chinook Montana Status: Offline Points: 14753	Posted: 26 May 2004 at 03:19
	zonie! i don't know a dang thing about swiss black powder, but welcome back! it's been too long since we have benefitted from your wisdom here at BSB. hope to see more of you from time-to-time, and am looking forward to your sharing your knowledge. there are people who are reading it! so thanks! ron
	TasunkaWitko - Chinook, Montana Helfen, Wehren, Heilen Die Wahrheit wird euch frei machen

waksupi Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .416 Rigby aka Keeper of the Old Traditions Joined: 11 June 2003 Status: Offline Points: 2371	Posted: 26 May 2004 at 03:35
	I've noit tried the Swiss, as I am Cheap. However, I have shot up cases of Elephant, and been quite happy with it. I can keep a group below three inches for ten shots, whicjh is pretty good with my aging eyes. And it shoots all day with the same bore condition, using Moose Milk patch lube. What do you lube with? Sounds like Bore Butter, or Wonder Lube. That stuff is terrible, in my experience.
	Shooters Cast Bullet Alumnus http://www.castboolits.gunloads.com/index.php?

'Zonie Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .223 Remington Joined: 21 December 2003 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 81	Posted: 26 May 2004 at 13:59
	I usually use bore butter, or something like it. It seems to work well in my percussion guns where I shoot Pyrodex or Elephant, usually Pyrodex. Why would I use Pyro? Because almost all of the gun stores in Phoenix refuse to carry black powder but they do have Pyro. It has to do with the licenses needed for "an explosive" like black powder. It also has to do with their Insurance rates. Anyway, I save the Real Stuff for my Flintlocks (who, as you know, won't fire reliably with the psudo-powders). Anyway, if you get a chanch to buy some Swiss, go ahead and spend a little extra on yourself! You will notice a difference, or I ain't ole Zonie! Oh, by the way, from what I heard you are going to have to find something besides Elephant Powder when the stock in the USA runs out. They shut the plant and sold the property. That leaves Goex, Schutzen (which is supposed to be almost as good as Swiss if I can believe the powder dealer), and Swiss.
	Just Jim Keep your eyes peeled