Olde Eynsford

[Don McDowell]

Have been shooting the Olde Eynsford powder, and it's some interesting stuff.
First off it's fast, very fast, and it's very clean burning and so far the fouling is as soft and easy to manage as anything I've ever shot that wasn't a smokeless powder.
Velocity with 70 gr charges of 2 and 1.5 f shooting the rcbs 82084 bullet,in a 28 in barreled 45-70 ran a bit over 1220 fps. I also ran a short test with a 4 1/2 barreled 38/40 colt bisley clone,with 32 grs of 2f the velocity average over 25 rounds was 960 fps.
I know one guy that is getting over 1500 fps using 3f in a 44-90 and a 500 gr patched bullet Most folks that have done the side by side volume comparisons with Swiss are finding the Eynsford to be faster from cartridge guns.
I haven't chronographed it from the 44-77 yet, but I did find a load that allows me to shoot a 400 gr patched bullet with no more fouling control than a blowtube that shows accuracy enough at 800 yds to be able to shoot competitive in gong matches, not have to wipe between shots. This would also make for a great hunting load.
Have not yet found a load that will replace my match loads with KIK, but I'm sure the potential is there, just need to keep tweaking the loads.
It's good to have a powder that's capable of match winning back from Goex since they dropped Express and Cartridge.

 

[Don McDowell]

Here's a pic of some groups a friend is getting and velocity comparion with Swiss.


Well nuts can't get the link to work...
ok got it that time?

 

[BlackNet]

This would also make for a great hunting load.

From what I am hearing from others this stuff has practically no creosote. So question is how does this perform in nasty areas? say high humidity, rain etc.

 

[Don McDowell]

Well you can look at the results on the target and read on other threads in other places about how it performs. As it's only been out about a month now and most of us that got some bought and have been shooting it have done so scrambling around and thru high humidity, rain, snow etc.
Besides that's not the test of a blackpowder, any powder even the junkiest stuff will be easier to shoot in damp cool conditions because the fouling stays softer.
The acid test on a blackpowders performance is hot and dry conditions when the foul dries almost instantly. That's the type of conditions that lead many shooters, and especially those that shoot Swiss to perfect their wiping routines to control fouling.

 

[BlackNet]

so what type of charcoal does it use?

 

[Don McDowell]

Who cares?
What really matters is what type of fouling does it leave, what sort of velocities does it give, and can the stuff be made to shoot accurately.
Heck even the old Elephant powder altho the stuff looked like a rotted spider web in your barrel after the shot could deliver some tremendous groups.
Down range is where things matter.

 

[BlackNet]

It makes a great deal of difference so the 'who cares' attitude is a very poor quality defeatist approach to things.

 

[Don McDowell]

You know I've been shooting blackpowder most all of my life, shooting it competively off and on for the last 40 years. I can guarantee you that amongst people that actually shoot the stuff, the conversation very seldom turns to what sort of charcoal does a powder use.
I for one could care less if they use charcoal from last years chowchip throwing contest. If the stuff delivers a good accuracy, and the fouling can be dealt with in a reasonable fashion I'm happy.

 

[Don McDowell]

Friend of mine , long time blackpowder shooter and something of a historian, brought up a good point today on this Eynsford. He keeps pointing to the fact that maybe part of the reason it shoots so clean is the lack of graphite, as the cans are only labeled 2f, not 2fg saying the g used to be designation of graphite coating...
Something to think about.
Sure wish more folks would shoot this powder and post up their results. I'm running low on the first 5 lbs I ordered and am trying to figure out if I should get some more or just wait and go ahead shooting my KIK this season..

 

[BlackNet]

I am going to get some and test it out.

He keeps pointing to the fact that maybe part of the reason it shoots so clean is the lack of graphite, as the cans are only labeled 2f, not 2fg saying the g used to be designation of graphite coating...
Something to think about.

The 'g' does *NOT* stand for 'graphite' it stands for 'glaze'. It is a process that sporting powders undergoes after corning.

 

[Don McDowell]

You're almost right, but you need to read a little closer...

 

[Pancho]

I haven't really looked into it but my question is will it work in a flintlock?

 

[Don McDowell]

Yes it works quite well in a flintlock. Friend of mine shot some 2f in his flinter, and was getting something over 100 fps more than the same charge thrown from his measure with Goex 2f.
When I first got this batch of powder and was curious about what it was, I could charge the pan on an old parade gun and the 1.5 and 2 were both easily ignited in the pan.
From the reports I've heard back from folks that have shot the 3f, I don't think I'ld use it unless you really cut down on the charge or replace your front sight, the stuff is really fast.