Which powder is unsafe to use in a muzzleloader due to injury risk?

• A. Modern smokeless powder
• B. Black powder
• C. Goex powder
• D. Flash powder

Answer: (A)

In a muzzleloader, the firearm is built to handle the pressure produced by black powder or approved muzzleloading substitutes, not the much higher pressures of modern smokeless powder. Smokeless powder burns hotter and faster and can generate far greater chamber pressures in the confined space of a muzzleloader. That sudden overpressure can push the barrel or other components beyond what the gun can safely withstand, leading to catastrophic failure and potential injury.

Goex powder is a black powder product designed for muzzleloaders, so its burn rate and pressure are appropriate for these firearms. Flash powder, on the other hand, is intended for stage effects and creates an extremely rapid, powerful explosion; using it in a muzzleloader is extraordinarily dangerous and poses severe risk of injury.