Pyrodex in Frontier Cartridge?

[Taos]

Anyone have any experience or thoughts using Pyrodex in frontier cartridge?

[Slow Poke]

My experience with pyrodex is it is more corrosive than real black powder, and dirtier,  Other than that fill the case up they go boom.

 

[Prairie Dawg, SASS #50329]

+1 to everything that Slow Poke said.
I would not hesitate to use it, but much prefer real black powder.
If you use it, be sure to clean the guns the same day.

It is pretty corrosive!

--Dawg

[Sedalia Dave]

Very Corrosive.  After a COMPLETE disassembly and cleaning, I strongly recommend that you do a through inspection every day for 3 days afterwords. I guarantee you'll find places you missed the first time.

 

I've got a really good deal on a Ruger old Army in a pawn shop because someone had shot it with Pyrodex and didn't get every nook and cranny clean. There were telltale signs of rust in several hard to clean spots. I pointed them out to the guy behind the counter and it didn't take long to get the price reduced 20%. 

 

When I got t home I did a complete disassembly and then cleaned it by putting it the dishwasher followed by a good wipedown with cleaning cloths and Ballistol.

 

If you cannot find any APP or Shooters World Black, I would use Triple 7 long before I would use Pyrodex.  Ask the Frontier Cartridge shooters in your club. I'll bet one of them would hook you up with a little.

[Blackwater 53393]

I used it in shotgun shells for a little while when I first started shooting FC and Frontiersman, but it’s really corrosive and requires two or three thorough cleanings to prevent rust after using it!

 

It ain’t “The Choicest Product Of The Brewers’ Art”!!

[Sheriff Dill]

3 minutes ago, Sedalia Dave said:

Very Corrosive.  After a COMPLETE disassembly and cleaning, I strongly recommend that you do a through inspection every day for 3 days afterwords. I guarantee you'll find places you missed the first time.

 

I've got a really good deal on a Ruger old Army in a pawn shop because someone had shot it with Pyrodex and didn't get every nook and cranny clean. There were telltale signs of rust in several hard to clean spots. I pointed them out to the guy behind the counter and it didn't take long to get the price reduced 20%. 

 

When I got t home I did a complete disassembly and then cleaned it by putting it the dishwasher followed by a good wipedown with cleaning cloths and Ballistol.

 

If you cannot find any APP or Shooters World Black, I would use Triple 7 long before I would use Pyrodex.  Ask the Frontier Cartridge shooters in your club. I'll bet one of them would hook you up with a little.

Don’t want to hijack post but does that go for the pellets for muzzleloaders as well?

[Sedalia Dave]

3 minutes ago, Sheriff Dill said:

Don’t want to hijack post but does that go for the pellets for muzzleloaders as well?

 

YES, pyrodex pellets are just as corrosive as loose powder.

[Blackwater 53393]

3 minutes ago, Sheriff Dill said:

Don’t want to hijack post but does that go for the pellets for muzzleloaders as well?

YESSIR!!

[Garrison Joe, SASS #60708]

Yep.  Same stuff, just compressed into pellets.  GJ

[Sheriff Dill]

That would explain a lot in the difficulty to clean them. Thank everyone 

[Eyesa Horg]

1 hour ago, Sheriff Dill said:

Don’t want to hijack post but does that go for the pellets for muzzleloaders as well?

Yes!!

My neighbor uses it and claims no issue. However, his muzzleloaders aren't reliable at all anymore and he refuses to believe it's the Pyrodex. He's even now drilled out his nipples to get more fire in there to the point when it does go off, it cocks the hammer!

I've put over 3K round balls down range with my Hawken with only 1 FTF out of 3000 which I attribute to carrying it with my range rod down the empty barrel and shoving fouling into the thimble. With Pyrodex you can hear your gun rusting as you drive home!! 🤣

[Rye Miles #13621]

I used it in shotgun shells sometimes back in my BP days. Never used it for pistol or rifle but it’s fine. As others have said clean the guns right away.

[Griff]

So far, everyone has been really circumspect in their comments about Pyrodex.  As some would say, a "rusting agent that happens to burn..."   Let me put it this way, I wouldn't use it in your guns if you were dating my sister... and I don't particularly like my sister.

 

If I may, I suggest you read Professor Marvel's discussion on cleaning firearms after the use of Pyrodex & 777:  Regarding the Cleaning of Guns After the Use of Pyrodex and 777.  

[I. M. Crossdraw, SASS# 8321]

4 hours ago, Slow Poke said:

My experience with pyrodex is it is more corrosive than real black powder, and dirtier,  Other than that fill the case up they go boom.

 

Agree with this.  Highly corrosive.  

[Sgt. Hochbauer, SASS #64409]

I shoot Frontiersman and Frontier Cartridge on occasion. My first choice of powder would be real BP either 2 or 3 f or second choice would be APP. I have used 777 but a bit too hot for my liking. But have never used Pyrodex for all the reasons previously stated above. I will make sure to give my guns a good spraying of Balistol or PAM but not clean them till the next day.

 

 

[Crazy Gun Barney, SASS #2428]

Used Pyrodex a long time ago.  Like others have said, clean it today, clean it tomorrow and then check it a few more times (and probably clean again) before being comfortable locking it in the safe for a long time.

 

Real BP is so much easier.

[Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971]

Beside the preceding warnings, I believe Pyrodex smoke will stunt the growth of Buckaroos and Buckarettes who might breathe it.  🤐

[El Chapo]

I am using Shooter's World Multipurpose Black, AKA, APP.

I still use real black in the shotgun.

[Earl Brasse, SASS #3562]

Personally won't use it for all the aforementioned detractions AND... my biggest issue is to me it smells like burning teeth.

 

The smoke reminds me of getting a crown at the dentist when they are grinding a tooth down to a peg & the smoke & dust is blowing out your mouth.

 

Many years back someone gave me 8 or 9 pounds & I graciously accepted it & then gave it all to the 1st BP shooter that said they would use it.

[Rooster Ron Wayne]

Real Friends dont let friends shoot Pyrodex 😳

 

If your going to use a Sub powder.

Use APP powder .

You can use the same bullet and dont have to use any special lube.

Easy to clean .

Smokes a lot .

You can buy it right here off the Wire from 

(Scarlett )

Its the best sub in the game IMHO.

Rooster 

Edited March 6 by Rooster Ron Wayne

[Scarlett]

On 3/5/2026 at 10:20 AM, Sedalia Dave said:

f you cannot find any APP or Shooters World Black, I would use Triple 7 long before I would use Pyrodex.  Ask the Frontier Cartridge shooters in your club. I'll bet one of them would hook you up with a little.

I have PLENTY of APP and SW MultiBlack available!! I can ship either of them to your doorstep!!! I will be at Florida State, SC State, probably the SW Regional, Indiana State at Evansville, probably Georgia, Ladies Only Match, Ohio, Tennessee … and more… still working out calendar. 
 

Also, Pyrodex is more expensive by a few $$$ per pound.

 

Let me know how I can be of assistance!! Anything for the Frontier Cartridge Shooters!! The Dark Side is my best side! 😉

 

Hugs!

Scarlett

 

[Bingo Montana]

No experience with Pyrodex, however I do have plenty of experience with APP as a BP substitute.

 

I will echo previous guidance, if you going to use a BP substitute use APP.  It is easy to clean up after, easy to load, you can use the same bullet as smokeless, and makes very good smoke!

 

I buy all my AAP through @Scarlett, as she said above, delivered to your door.  Highly recommend Bullets By Scarlett for your AAP needs, not only is Scarlett a 2x Ladies Frontier Cartridge Gunfighter World Champion, she is a wonderful person who does so much for this game.

 

 

[Singin' Sue 71615]

Used 777...hot and dirty

Pyrodex because we got a good deal...corrosive and clean right away...not forgiving.

We use APP...

Forgiving, can run a 3 day match with just a spritz and patch...

 

So YES, you can use it fir FC.

More work, less forgiving...and I recall the smoke wasn't as pretty.

[Totes Magoats]

I once put a bottle of Pyrodex in a shopping cart and the cart rusted before I could get to the check out to pay. 😁

 

Totes

[German Jim]

I'm sitting in front of my computer, and I can hear it rusting someone's guns!

 

No, not really.  I just thought that it would be funny to say that.

[Cpt Dan Blodgett, SASS #75655]

It will work.  Make sure you clean guns immediately after finished shooting.  Super corrosive don't ask how I know.  If shooting multiday match clean daily.  

[Nostrum Damus SASS #110702]

I use both Triple Seven and APP and like them both.  I use them in .32S&W, .45 Colt and .45-70 Govt cartridges, and in 12 gauge shotshells.  All good.  Triple Seven is a bit dirtier than APP in my experience but is still very easy to clean up with a spray bottle of Simple Green during the match to keep the works from getting gummed up too badly.  I'll never use corrosive Pyrodex.

[Rooster Ron Wayne]

Taos really friends dont let friends shoot Pyrodex. 

Every post here is telling you too use something else. 

The best recommendation is APP.

Good luck with your choice. 

Rooster 

[Rafe Conager SASS #56958]

I do use Pyrodex in my monthly shoots, yes clean asap. I squirt PAM down the barrels and extractor right after the match, then use Wyndex when I get home. I bought a case of Pyrodex when I was shooting muzzle loaders, didn't know any better and it was cheep. My rifles and pistols get real black or APP, not rocket science just do your due diligence. All my guns get a complete teardown and cleaning 3-4 times a year, mostly before big matches. APP I can wait to clean a few weeks but real black and pyrodex get cleaned right away. 

Rafe