Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why should I shoot American
Pioneer® or Jim Shockey's™ GOLD™ products?
A: If you are looking for the best clean,
dependable, and powerful black powder substitute, we believe we have
the best powder or Compressed Charges for you. The performance of the
powder and the STICKS™ Compressed Charges will give you the edge for hunting, target work
and cowboy shooting.
Q. I see that American
American
Pioneer® and Jim Shockey's™ GOLD™ powders comes in two granulations - what is the difference between FFG
and FFFG?
A. Traditionally, black powder has come in
different sizes, or granulations. This was done to control the burn
rates of the powder, with the smaller sizes burning faster than the
larger sizes. The larger sizes have been traditionally used in larger
calibers. FFG (2Fg) is primarily used in rifles. FFFG (3Fg) is a
slightly smaller and finer powder then FFG and it is usually used in
pistols and small caliber rifles.
Q: I want to use STICKS® or SUPER STICKS™ Compressed Charges in my muzzleloading rifle and I see that one end
is smaller than the other. Which end of the stick should be loaded in
the barrel first?
A: The tapered shape of the STICKS® or SUPER STICKS™ Compressed Charges makes for easier loading. Load by putting in the
the smaller end in first and pressing with your thumb. Load your
projectile on top of that and push to the bottom of the bore using
your ramrod.
Q: What are the benefits of using
Pre-Measured
Loads?
A: These loads are pre-measured and
pre-loaded into custom designed containers to protect the product
from moisture and will allow the user to quickly and easily load this
pre-measured product into their firearm. This will make follow-up
shots and reloads much easier and faster especially when it counts -
in the field. Pre-Measured
Loadsprovide
fast and complete ignition plus delivering superior performance,
consistency, accuracy, and dependability.
Q: I see that the use of lube is NOT
recommended and that it will actually reduce the results. Why shouldn't I
use lube?
A: Lubricants used in muzzleloading have
been added to ease loading and to help keep fouling down. Our
products generate moisture when it is ignited, so it actually
lubricates the barrel when you shoot. Loading will actually be easier
than when using lubes. Also, our product produces only a very minimal
amount of residue which does not build up. If lubes are allowed to
come in contact with the powder, it can actually create fouling and
lower performance when burned.
Q. Can I use American
Pioneer® or Jim Shockey's™ GOLD™ powders when loading black powder cartridges?
A. Absolutely! As a matter of fact these powders are used by a number of the top cowboy action and mounted
shooters in a variety of calibers, both in traditional black powder
cartridges such as .45-70 and modern calibers such as .44 magnum.
Basic loading instructions are to fill the case to the point where
the bullet will slightly compress the powder, about 1/16", when
seated, seat the bullet and crimp. DO NOT drill out the primer
hole. The use of 'grease cookies' or wads is not needed or
recommended. No special black powder lube is required for the bullet
and regular smokeless lubed bullets actually work the best. As this
is a 'bulk' type powder, it is important that the case be filled
completely, leaving NO air space or gap. The use of fillers or wads
is NOT recommended as some studies indicate that they can cause a
'ringed' barrel when used.
Q. Can I use American
Pioneer® or Jim Shockey's™ GOLD™ powders in a flask?
A. Yes you CAN use these powders in a flask. Just don't store it long term in a flask and do
NOT pour directly from the flask into the bore. Pour from the flask
into a powder measure and then into your firearm. When you are done
using it, put it back in the bottle. That will help keep the powder
fresh for your next shoot.
Q. I want to use American
Pioneer® or Jim Shockey's™ GOLD™ powders in cartridge loading. Should I do anything special with the
fired brass to keep it bright and shiney? How should I clean my
brass?
A. Fired brass should be rinsed right after
shooting to neutralize any reaction of the brass and powder residue.
A commonly used method is to dump your fired brass into a solution of
either 50/50 water/vinegar or a mild solution of Simple Green or
similar soap. Never use a mixture that contains any ammonia, as
ammonia will attack the brass and weaken it. You should then rinse
with tap water, let dry and tumble clean.
Q. Can I use a drop tube with American
Pioneer® or Jim Shockey's™ GOLD™ powders to load my cartridges?
A. Sure if you so choose, though it is not
necessary. As long as your loading technics are consistent, the
results will also be consistent.
Q. Should I crimp my brass when
loading?
A. The use of a good crimp helps to keep
consistent results. The bullet should be held firmly in the case
mouth.
Q. Should I change the primer I
use?
A. American Pioneer® or Jim Shockey's™ GOLD™ will give good results with all types and brands of primers.
If you have a favorite, keep using it.
Q. I am loading a caliber that has several
bullet weights available. Is there a weight range that works best
with American
Pioneer® or Jim Shockey's™ GOLD™ powders?
A. As with black powder, American Pioneer® or Jim Shockey's™ GOLD™ powders will work with any bullet weight that is good for the caliber.
Generally, a heavier bullet may be your best choice for top
performance, though the lighter bullet weights often used with sabots
will give great results as well.
Q. I want to use a sabot load in my rifle.
Will American Pioneer® and Jim Shockey's™ GOLD™ powders and compressed charges work with a sabot? What should I look for when
picking one?
A. Yes, they work extremely well with sabots, both loose powder and compressed
charges. Since the powders and compressed charges doesn't leave fouling like black powder does, you should look
for a sabot that fits fairly tighly in the bore, as they are often
undersized to work with the black powder fouling. The same loading
technics should be employed, in that the sabot/bullet should be
firmly placed against the charge in the bottom of the bore, leaving
no air space.
Q. I shoot patched round ball. Should I wet
my patch or load it dry?
A. As the powder creates its own moisture when burning, it is not necessary or
desirable to wet down the patch. If it is tight, you can 'spit patch'
the first one, but you should find that reloads don't even need
that.
Q. I'm at the end of my shoot and ready to
clean. Can I really use nothing more than tap water?
A. Absolutely! Just dampen your patches with
water and run them down the bore. You should find that 2 or 3 damp
patches are all it will take to leave your bore nice and
clean.
Q. Should I use bore seasoning, oil or other
preservatives in my bore for storage?
A. A light wipe of lube or other
preservative may be used to keep it from reacting with moisture while
being stored. Your locale will largely determine your need to do
that, as a more humid area will need more protection than a dry area.
If you do need to oil down your bore, make sure and clean it out
BEFORE loading it, as the oily residue will cause lower results and
fouling if it is not cleaned out prior to loading.
Q. You have answered most of my questions, but I still have a few more. Can I contact you for an
answer?
A. Absolutely! We want you to be successful
when using our products and will be more than happy to work with you. We have
several long time shooters and hunters with experience in just about
every area of black powder shooting that will be happy to answer your
questions. Just email your questions to appowdertech@aol.com
|
|