New Goex powder vs. the Old Goex powder

Lefty38-55

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Test 1 - Chronograph testing done! Loading by VOLUME measure

FYI - Pretty interesting chronograph results of testing the NEW Goex black powder versus the ‘old’ Goex Company formulation.

It does load 'volume for volume' like the old powder, or as any BP powdah should, However it weighs 9% less in physical weight, in case one loads by physical grain weight, like some BP cartridge & NSSA competition shooters do.

The new 2F was close in velocity to the old powder, but there were wild velocity swings and higher extreme spread (999 to 1160), whereas the extreme spread for the old Goex was only 37.

New Goex 2Fg had 1098 FPS vs 1104 FPS of the old in a 33.3” barreled 62-cal Baker (80grn load by volume)

New Goex 3Fg had 1491 FPS vs 1603 FPS of old in a 42” barreled 45-cal SMR (50grn load by volume). But get this, even the report at the shot was MUCH LESS of a 'bang'! It too had a ~3X higher extreme spread. It was also light gray in color, looks more like Pyrodex, and wasn’t black at all … not that that means anything, LOL!

All powdahs tested in flintlocks, w/ the 1st few fouling shots thrown out.

I remain VERY impressed with the chronograph velocity of a 50grn 3Fg load in a 45! I for one, found the barrel VERY dirty, and I on;y fired 16-shots, as sometimes the chrono wouldn't read due to the strong winds or sun, whatever.


Test 2 - More new vs. old Goex testing: Measured by physical WEIGHT (grains)

These results as measured by weight appear to be better than the results that two others got above when they measured/loaded by volume. It also seems to indicate that perhaps the more powder, the better the performance. That might also be why the rifle tested below cleaned up fine, hypothesizing that the higher charge burns or combusts more efficiently.

Yes, the data sets are small (please don't flame me ... just read on), however, I am running them through my specialized statistics program which includes a module for 'short run’ SPC. That concept actually has some ways to validate data, i.e., to ‘normalize’ it (a statistical term), for such small data sets when combined in the aggregate.

More testing to be done!

Goex by Weight.jpeg
 
Switched to Swiss when Goex got yanked. Don't shoot black that much so have enough to hold me for the unforseeable future.

Use in handguns and rifles (std front loaded and in cartridges) and don't see enough difference to mention other than the higher prices.

Is the new Goex true black or a substitute?
 
Switched to Swiss ... and don't see enough difference to mention other than the higher prices.
Swiss is a premium powder and typically tests the fastest for velocity with excellent statistical numbers, if an efficient load by the User.

Is the new Goex true black or a substitute?
It is real black powder, aka the 'explosive' type. Estes Rocket Company bought out the old Goex plant after Hornady sold it.
 
How much was the new powder
Depends ... but in bulk it can be as low as $22/pound. We paid $24/pound as it was not a bulk order.

Last week a friend bought a 5-pound bulk box of Swiss powder from the Maine Powder House and picked it up in person - to avoid shipping - and he paid $24 a pound - which is a great price for Swiss! It came in a 5-pound cardboard box and and he was begging all his friends for old empty BP powdah containers ...
 
What’s the definition of new Goex? vs old Goex?

Everyone seems to think Swiss powder is better than Goex. I don’t see any difference other than Goex costs me less.

Both put lead through my target.

Both result in black powder residue that has to be cleaned.
 
The current distinction is that Old Goex was made in the plant Hodgdon bought from the Goex company until it blew up... again. (The Goex group bought it from DuPont after it had blown up the time before.)

New Goex is what is being made in the plant sold to and rebuilt by Estes, who have been model rocket makers for a long time.
 
What’s the definition of new Goex? vs old Goex?

Everyone seems to think Swiss powder is better than Goex. I don’t see any difference other than Goex costs me less.

Both put lead through my target.

Both result in black powder residue that has to be cleaned.

While that is certainly true there is a noticeable difference between old Goex and Swiss. Not only is Swiss stronger it's cleaner burning.
 
What’s the definition of new Goex? vs old Goex?

Everyone seems to think Swiss powder is better than Goex. I don’t see any difference other than Goex costs me less.

Both put lead through my target.

Both result in black powder residue that has to be cleaned.
In bullet shooting rifles (heavy bullets, paper patched or grease grooved) it makes a difference. Typically the bores are smaller, charges are heavier and patent breeches are necessary. These rifles are used for longer ranges, and the shooters require a higher degree of accuracy. All this means that less fouling, higher velocity, and better standard deviations are very desirable. It all really depends on what you want and expect from your shooting.
 
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