AFTE Store - Black Powder Substitutes: Their Physical and Chemical Properties and Performance

Federal and local restrictions on the transport and storage of traditional black gunpowder have resulted in the development of a number of black powder substitutes for use in antique and replica firearms. These black powder substitutes are Pyrodex, Golden Powder, Black Canyon Powder, Arco-Black Mag Powder, Clean Shot Powder, Clear Shot Powder and possibly others. On rare occasion firearms loaded with either black powder or one of these black powder substitutes are invol ved in crimes and/or accidental shootings. Any of these propellants may also be employed in homemade explosive devices. Each of these materials has a unique physical form and can be placed into one of three basic chemical compositions. Components specific to each of these three groups can be detected by several means in the discharge residues. Knowledge of the physical and chemical nature of these products, their performance and the nature of the discharge residues will provide the examiner a useful starting point when confronted with this type of evidence.