Ejection charge powder in California???

I want to prepare some ejection charges using 4Fg Goex black powder but for the life of me I can't figure out where to buy it in California. Synthetics are available but pretty much none of the real stuff. What does everyone else in this state do? It's not strictly illegal but stores don't seem to want to deal with the recent storage regulations.

Try the onsite vendor.

The problem with that is I usually fly at FAR which is independent and doesn't usually have vendors. Also that means I can't do any testing ahead of time either...

Where CA? I talked to a gun friend and he turned me on to a supplier.

thequick said:

Where CA? I talked to a gun friend and he turned me on to a supplier.

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I was just trying in the Fresno/Visalia area and found literally nothing.

Sportsman's Warehouse has FFFg, which is what Aerotech uses AFAIK. 4F you have to order, and given the shipping charge, it usually makes sense to do it in bulk.

swatkat said:

Sportsman's Warehouse has FFFg, which is what Aerotech uses AFAIK. 4F you have to order, and given the shipping charge, it usually makes sense to do it in bulk.

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I called them today and they said they only carry the synthetic substitutes like pyrodex but no BP. Can you link me to the product page or something because I'm not finding it ☹

I guess if it is really this hard I can go for Pyrodex P but I thought I've read on this forum that it was not as reliable. Thoughts on that as a substitute?

You might contact Bay Area Rocketry.

https://bayarearocketry.com/#sthash.obz0gWsb.dpbs

Some other options:

https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/category/categoryId/3501

https://powderinc.com/

As a former Californian that burned a whole lot of black powder in cartridge guns before returning to rocketry, I feel your pain.

Unless things have changed since I left, there's nothing illegal about BP, per se, there, but it is definitely painful to find locally. You'll want to look for the little, out-of-the-way, "mom and pop" gun shops, they're the most likely.

Ultimately, I ended up giving up trying to find it locally. There are several places you can order it online, but you'll need to order enough to mitigate the hazmat charge.

NB: I am not a lawyer; I'm pretty sure that your new "no ammunition" law still allows you to order components. Do make sure you follow all applicable laws.

swatkat said:

Sportsman's Warehouse has FFFg, which is what Aerotech uses AFAIK. 4F you have to order, and given the shipping charge, it usually makes sense to do it in bulk.

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Hmm, I just went to the brick and mortar one locally. They don't have any powder out on display anymore like they used to, but they have sheet to look at and then they go in the back and get it.

ArchitectOfSeven said:

The problem with that is I usually fly at FAR which is independent and doesn't usually have vendors. Also that means I can't do any testing ahead of time either...

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Ah, you do the big boy stuff. I can offer a few more suggestions:
- "Borrow" or buy some from a fellow rocketeer at FAR.
- Attend a launch with a vendor. That may be cost and time prohibitive since you're in Fresno.
- By the time you do that --^ you may have spent the same or more as the HAZ fee on shipping from online sites noted above. GOEX also has a website you can buy FFFFG from directly (with HAZ). If possible, you could go in with other FAR attendees and buy a few pounds to spread out the shipment fees.

I've never tried the substitutes myself but the scuttlebutt around here is that it requires extra containment to make it burn correctly and even then it's difficult to be consistent.

Sorry I can't be of more help.

Exactimator said:

- Attend a launch with a vendor. That may be cost and time prohibitive since you're in Fresno.

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TCC (tccrockets.com) flies ~30 minutes from Fresno/Visalia (Helm, CA), next launch would be October Skies, 10/19-21. Bay Area Rocketry is the on-site vendor, but I'm 95% certain he doesn't carry BP. Fliers at the launches are generally willing to share smaller amounts (i.e. enough for a few flights), if you're looking for more there might be someone willing to go in on an order and split it, or give you pointers on where to get it, etc.

I would say 99% sure Mike wouldn't have BP, but someone who might be close by often does have some. I would say attend a TCC launch, and ask around. Bet you can find a pound.

Has CA outlawed Bass Pro Shop? It's worth a look

Nytrunner said:

Has CA outlawed Bass Pro Shop? It's worth a look

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Nope, there is one in Manteca and Rocklin.

https://www.buyrocketmotors.com/ejection-charge-kit-12-pack/

I was able to buy this locally from buyrocketmotors.com

It may not be the cheapest solution, but it should last a while and be a simple solution. Robert would also be happy to sell you all the motors that you want.

Chas

Nytrunner said:

Has CA outlawed Bass Pro Shop? It's worth a look

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I was in So Cal, and the BPS in Rancho Cucamonga did not carry real BP; they only had subs. But it's worth a shot.

https://www.powderinc.com is a fantastic source- and free freight! mix and match brands and fineness. fast shipping- no problem to california. You must however order 5# - so $145.00 total delivered price. They even have cannon grade! Lifetime supply!

I'm in SoCal and was in the market to buy FFFFG a while back so feel your pain. Ended up getting the ejection kit mentioned above from buyrocketmotors to do my ground tests, then got a slightly larger quantity from a vendor at LDRS. I was in contact with this place: https://thereloadingstore.com/ and they were expecting to have some in stock, but not before I needed it. Still have enough from that small purchase (about 2 film canisters worth) and should last me a while longer. Never was crazy about the idea of keeping a lb of BP in my basement anyway...

Oh, and a super generous member of my club sent me a "signal cannon" so my purchase would be legit. Some day I might actually try it out...

What I did was call a gun shop that had reloading supplies and asked if they carried muzzle loading black powder. They said they didn’t have muzzle loading black powder. I asked them for a suggestion as to who might have it. They told me the name of the closest shop that had it.

There is a vendor who sells preloaded charge canister and ships them. I forget the name but I’m sure someone will be along soon with this info.

Probably this place you were referring to?
https://www.rocketmotorparts.com/Ejection_Charge_12-Pack/p1577809_16501630.aspx

Have you considered making it yourself? Everything you need is available on eBay and you could mix small amounts as needed.

The best thing to do is to ask a dual deploy flyer at your local Club. There is a very very good chance he will tell you where you can get some if not even have some for you.

I think black powder is difficult to find in most places; its not just California. From what I have been told stores don't want to carry it because of federal regulations (paperwork) involving the sale of it as well as insurance issues. Besides, most people use a black powder substitute for reloads so the market for black powder just isn't as big as you would think.

I have used Pyrodex a number of times, but switched to black powder after a failed ejection event (my fault). Black powder is just more forgiving.

Zeus-cat said:

I think black powder is difficult to find in most places; its not just California. From what I have been told stores don't want to carry it because of federal regulations (paperwork) involving the sale of it as well as insurance issues. Besides, most people use a black powder substitute for reloads so the market for black powder just isn't as big as you would think.

I have used Pyrodex a number of times, but switched to black powder after a failed ejection event (my fault). Black powder is just more forgiving.

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Imn my area its due to the AHJ and city ordinances require expensive storage magazines.

Did you ever find a source? I used to know a few places around the state but it's gotten hard enough I've just started mail ordering it. I could definitely spare some if you can make it to a TCC launch which isn't far outside of Fresno at all, but next one's January.

swatkat said:

Sportsman's Warehouse has FFFg, which is what Aerotech uses AFAIK. 4F you have to order, and given the shipping charge, it usually makes sense to do it in bulk.

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AT is now using ffffg but either work just fine, use a little less 4f cause it burns faster....

Faroutspacenut said:

I'm in SoCal and was in the market to buy FFFFG a while back so feel your pain. Ended up getting the ejection kit mentioned above from buyrocketmotors to do my ground tests, then got a slightly larger quantity from a vendor at LDRS. I was in contact with this place: https://thereloadingstore.com/ and they were expecting to have some in stock, but not before I needed it. Still have enough from that small purchase (about 2 film canisters worth) and should last me a while longer. Never was crazy about the idea of keeping a lb of BP in my basement anyway...

Oh, and a super generous member of my club sent me a "signal cannon" so my purchase would be legit. Some day I might actually try it out...

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I bought FFFFg at The Reloading Store.

No secret handshake.

No code words.

Present CA Driver's License. Limit is 2 lbs per purchase. Pay the man. Walk out with BP.

Easy.

YodaMcFly said:

I was in So Cal, and the BPS in Rancho Cucamonga did not carry real BP; they only had subs. But it's worth a shot.

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Bass Pro Shop does not have FFFFg at their Rancho Cucamonga store. It's shown on BPS website as not available as an online purchase.