Nor' West Company

Black Powder Handling, Storage and Safety Precautions

WARNING! Black Powder is extremely flammable and explosive! Fire or explosion can cause serious bodily injury or death. Keep out of reach of children. Keep away from heat, sparks and open flame. Avoid impact and friction.

Black powder sold by Nor’West Company is intended solely for use in antique firearms or replicas and reproductions of antique firearms that are in good working order, solely for recreational, sporting or cultural purposes. Any other use of black powder is a violation of Federal law. If you have any questions about your firearm’s operating condition consult a professional gunsmith before shooting it.

Black powder is available in several different granulations. Using the wrong granulation of powder can result in bodily injury or death. Please be sure your powder is the proper granulation for your application.

Goex Cannon – Cannon only

Fg – Small bore cannons or large bore muskets (.75 caliber or larger)

FFg- Large bore fusils, trade guns or rifles (.50 caliber or larger)

FFFg- Small bore rifles or pistols (smaller than .50 caliber)

FFFFg – Priming flintlocks ONLY

Always consult the owner’s manual for your firearm and never exceed the maximum recommended powder charge for the gun you are shooting. If the owner’s manual is not available, the National Muzzle Loader Rifle Association recommends a safe starting load for muzzleloading rifles or single-shot pistols is 1 grain of the appropriate granulation of black powder per caliber. For example, 50 grains of black powder for a .50 caliber rifle, 54 grains of black powder for a .54 caliber rifle, and so on.

Handling and Storage Precautions:

Avoid impact, friction, heat, sparks and open flame.

Never smoke while handling black powder.

Never handle or use black powder after drinking alcohol or using mind-altering drugs.

Keep containers tightly closed when not in use.

Do not mix black powder with any other type of gunpowder.

Do not purchase or accept black powder that is not in its original, factory sealed container.

Do not dispense black powder directly from the canister, flask or horn into the firearm.

Do not dispense substantial amounts of black powder in close proximity to the firearm.

Learn and obey all laws and regulations regarding quantities of explosive material and methods of storage.

Do not store black powder in the same area with other flammable materials.

Do not store black powder within the reach of children.

Store black powder only in manufacturer approved containers.

Important Notice and Disclaimer: Black powder is sold "as is". Nor’West Company disclaims all implied warranties including merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose.