Shiloh Rifle Forums

Good article in today's WSJ about black powder production in the US and the factory explosion in louisiana. "The US Military Relies on One Louisiana Factory. It Blew Up."

Link is: https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-u-s-mi ... _lead_pos7

But a subscription is needed for access.

I find it extremely difficult to believe that the picture at the top of that article is a US manufacturing facility. That's some pretty sad house keeping there. No FR clothing either. I'm sure OSHA would have something to say about what's going on there. Again probably proves the media has no clue what they're reporting on.

One thing that article really missed the boat on, is there has only been one blackpowder manufacturer in the US since the Hazard company mill burnt to the ground over 100 years ago.

When did the explosion occur?

It was the one two years ago that led to Hodgdon selling the plant.

June 2021: fire and explosion.

Read all 'bout it: https://www.ktalnews.com/news/local-new ... residents/

Previous fire/explosions at Minden: https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files ... 530584.pdf

Thanks that was what I am hoping for. I've read that goex was bought out and new production is in the works.

Don McDowell wrote: ↑Sun Apr 30, 2023 8:22 am One thing that article really missed the boat on, is there has only been one blackpowder manufacturer in the US since the Hazard company mill burnt to the ground over 100 years ago.

Actually, Hazard blew up, with people as far as 20-25 miles away hearing the boom and seeing their windows and doors rattle.

https://todayincthistory.com/2022/01/14 ... wder-mill/

No paywall
https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2023/05/07/w ... t-blew-up/

The no paywall post much appreciated. Did you notice not 1 mention of the use of sporting grade black powder? For muzzleloading or bpcr uses. December before last Estes buys Goex and they promised powder in spring of 22 then when that didn't happen it would be in the fall of 22 when that didn't happen supposedly the spring of 23.haven't seen any yet but sure we have another 5 weeks till summer. Right now if Estes is actually making bp it all going to replaced deleted stocks of military ammunition and weapons use.. all of you procrastinators waiting for new Goex best be calling the Gullo man and hope like hell he still has some swiss to get you through this year. Yeah all the honk for Joey biden types just keep laughing. bobw

I didn't know that the bullets for the M16 rifle are made from black powder.

Keep on hav'n fun!
MikeT

A lot of holes in the original WSJ article and even more holes in the regurgitation of it on this other thing. Think that WSJ article was penned by the same guy that said the shooting sports were dying because there weren't any new shooters coming in and the older shooters didn't like the plastic stocked guns even tho they were lighter and easier for old guys to hold..
The plant was up and ready to run, they kicked it on a dummy test run and a water line blew out.
At any rate folks are running out of primers faster than they are powder IMHO. But there are some around that are good for a couple of years on both for now.

Been small pistol, small rifle, large pistol around here quite frequently all running about $80 a brick. Large rifle, lr mags and bench rest are all no shows around here. More than a few of us figure they are all ending up as #34's for 7.62x51, 7.62x 39 & 7.62x54r for use in the Ukraine. Anyone got a better idea where lr primers are going, I'm all ears..mb

My guess is the largest amount of large rifle primers going to the ammunition used in PRC,F class , palma etc ammunition. Along with the incidental purchasers of the various and sundry 6.5 stuff that seems to have everybody's attention. Lots more of that stuff showing up on shelves nowadays along with the mail order houses.