I am not a black powder guy. I don't own a black powder gun and never have. I have shot one a couple of times. I recently heard a very knowledgeable gun nut say that it did not matter how much BP you set off at given time the pressure was always the same. Can anyone tell me if this is factual or was he just blowing hot air. Thanks

Not only is he blowing hot air, but there's a good chance he will end up blowing himself up! Black powder is an explosive, and comparing it to smokeless powders (a flammable solid) only shows that the rise time to peak pressures is much faster for BP rather than smokeless. I guess it would be like comparing an explosion to just a very rapid combustion.

Depending on loads and bullets and tightness of the projectile, BP may be a low of 10,000 PSI up to and over 30,000 PSI. I do not know enough about it to be an expert but plenty of people do, and the cautions are well-warranted on all the loading manuals.

Blank is right ! That guy is blowing some real hot air and nobody should pay him any attention. Black powder is an explosive and the more you put in a confined space, the more pressure you will build.

while been choooten black powder since 70's , it doesnt make me an expert. just my . Type powder as some have mentioned makes the differance in the front-loaders... Black powder vs in-line.
me first black powder was the Kentucky .45 rifle then the .44 revolver, & several after... was a beginner, so used what was recomeneded, came with flask/messure.. it recomeneded the caps .440 round ball & patches at 50-100 yrds ope sights was accurate, so sticked to what was recomeneded. tried the Peridox powder, & some mini-maxi balls but went back ta the Goex, .440 rd ball & patches... first shot marked line on ram-rod at end of muzzle whin powder ball& patch were properly seated. Have had some one pour extra powder down barrel, while chatting with another using spit patch method. Line on ram-rod showed bout tripple powder. Just more smoke, bigger kick.. like a ski-diver can reach only ciirtain mph... Modern loaders always trying hot-loads, tis harder on the casings. gap between powder & bullet gas buildup. took a hog several years later with a charge for my .44 revolver. forgot ta change messure on flask... less pressure slower fps.. with revolver, accidently did under charge have ta tip down flask hold finger over messure thumb the spring loaded slid that covers flask. anyways didnt get full charge, when fired ball just barlly made it out of barrel & hit the ice, (winter time) short of target & rolled to target... So have seen differance between the how much . Also me pard back then bought a book about black powder.. they had done differant tests. differant loads, charge & three balls loaded & differant cal. & stories. charging bull elephant, lions, tigers, & bears, oh my .
Big differance in black powder & inline.... personaly think over charge, hot-shots tis over rated...

edit me pointer was jumping allover place, so if it worse (reading) than norm, apoligize in advance, old age kicken in.... this is not FB ya dont have ta like repost nor agree... i still got cheap posts... edit ta edit lap top got a virus, it locked up... witch would U rather hold in hand... lady finger or stick of TNT?

Agree with Blank and Stony,

Reloaiding - Hot-loads good example, every one wants bigger, better, & faster... dont claim ta be an expert - only reloading i did was with me 357 mag, ol single reload kit. used what was recommended. more about shot placement... each ta thar own... just my