As the Decemeber 31st deadline for the sale of GOEX Blackpowder has passed, many blackpowder enthusiasts are wonder, "what is the best replacement for GOEX blackpowder?"

GOEX had a rather large distritbution network around the country, and with the brand recognition of "Hodgdon" as found in modern smokeless powder, it was the only brand of blackpowder many even know about.

While I believe GOEX is an important brand, as it was the last domestically made blackpowder in the United States, we are blessed as a community to have a couple other options, depending on what you are looking for.

The best GOEX replacement for Flintlocks

We'll start with a GOEX replacement for flintlock shooters, who can't use any of the commercially available blackpowder substitutes.

Flintlock shooters will want to invest in a few pounds of Schuetzen Blackpowder. Many consider this a comparable powder to GOEX, and the community at large sees it as a superior and cleaner burning powder. Schuetzen Blackpowder is imported into Texas, and distributed to a nation wide dealer network. If you purchased your GOEX blackpowder from a local gun or muzzleloading shop, check to see if they stock Schuetzen, they just might already!

If you are looking for a "Premium" blackpowder to replace your GOEX, you should look into "Swiss Blackpowder". Swiss is imported into the country through the same company that imports Schuetzen and is available through the same dealer network around the United States. You'll find many champion blackpowder shooters use Swiss, it's a winning powder. Swiss burns hotter than Schuetzen or GOEX, meaning you may be able to burn less each time you fire. Some shooters report a reduction of 15 grains (by volume) when loading Swiss. This means someone normally loading 55 grains of GOEX, may be able to shoot just 40 grains of Swiss with similar performance and less cleaning needed.

The best GOEX replacement for Percussion/Caplock Muzzleloaders

Traditional percussion shooters have a few more options when it comes to replacements for GOEX blackpowder.

Years ago Hodgdon developed Pyrodex as one of the first blackpowder substitutes. It is available in Rifle/Shotgun, Pistol, Select, and as pellets in 50 grain and 30 grain variations.

Pyrodex is a very popular substitute for percussion shooters as well as cap and ball revolver shooters. When it comes to those hunting with muzzleloaders though, Pyrodex is often not enough for many. Hodgdon later introduced "Triple 7" as a hotter and faster blackpowder substitute for use in percussion and inline muzzleloaders. Triple 7 can be used in cap and ball revolvers and sidelock percussion pistols, rifles, and shotguns.

As with any muzzleloader and powder combination, you'll want to do some testing on your own to ensure you have an accurate and safe load for your muzzleloader. It's easy to read a recommended load from a forum or facebook group, but until you try it for yourself at the range, you won't know if the load is right for you and your muzzle loader.

Another substitute is the IMR White Hot. These are promoted by CVA quite a bit for their modern inline muzzleloaders. I don't have much experience with them myself, but I hear they function similarly to Pyrodex and Triple 7.

The Convenience of Pellets

For many introductory muzzleloading enthusiasts, using powder or powdered substitutes can be a hassle. To make these substitutes more palatable for new shooters, each of these companies offer their blackpower substitutes as preformed pellets, usually in 50 grain sizes, but also 30 grains when it comes to Pyrodex.

These pellets can be alluring, but they are famously dirty, even compared to real blackpowder and powdered substitues. You see, manufacturers have to keep these pellets together somehow, and to do so, the best thing they've come up with is a kind of glue to keep the powder in this pellet form. When you ignite the pellets this glue is burnt up, but some will stick to the bore of your rifle. All muzzleloaders need cleaning after time in the woods or on the range, but take some extra care if you are switching to a pelletized substitute for your muzzleloader.

Why can't flintlocks use "Blackpowder Substitutes"?

Unfortunately the modern blackpowder substitutes (Pyrodex R, RS, and P, and Triple 7 all made by Hodgdon) are chemically different than real blackpowder. On one hand, this is an advantage for consumers. These substitutes are easily shipped and stored by retailers, without expensive storage requirements making it more available for enthusiasts around the country. BUT, these substitutes have an ignition point that is too high to be reliably ignited by most flintlocks.

Flintlock shooters have attempted what is called a "Duplex Load" to use substitutes in their flintlocks. Shooters will prime their pan with 4F powder as normal. Shooters then pour 5-10 grains of real blackpowder down the barrel, and finish off their load with pyrodex or triple 7. In theory, the real blackpowder in the pan, and the 5 grains at the breech are ignited by the flintlock, this ignition is then hot enough to spark off the substitute and shoot as normal. It should be noted that duplex loads like those described above are not allowed at NMLRA sanctioned events or matches. No tested data has been found to support this rule.

If you are interested in some testing on duplex loads like this, please let us know.

Modern Inline Muzzleloaders

All of the previously mentioned GOEX Blackpowder replacements can be used in a variety of modern inline muzzleloaders, but you need to check with your manufacturer first before trying any new powder or propellant.

It's worth mentioning that Blackhorn 209 has become the most popular muzzleloading propellant for modern muzzleloaders. I mention this only because you should never put Blackhorn 209 in a traditional sidelock muzzleloader. It will seriously damage your muzzle loader and could severaly injure or even kill you.

In Conclusion

There are several options for North American muzzleloading enthusiasts to continue to enjoy America's first shooting sport. While there are still concerns over supply and cost of imported blackpowder, I'm confident the sport and it's enthusiasts can weather this change and continue this great tradition. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask in the comments below, or email us anytime.