Gunpowder Bars - types and characteristics

The main elements of a cartridge include not only the cartridge case and the striking element (shot, buckshot or bullet), but also the substance, due to the detonation of which the shot occurs. We are talking about gunpowder. This explosive is ideal for use in firearms because it burns in layers without destroying the barrel.

There is a distinction between black and smokeless powder. In today's cartridges, as a rule, the second type of substance is used. This is explained as follows.

Unlike ordinary gunpowder, its smokeless variety restores its properties after drying.
As the name suggests, the gases produced as a result of the shot are transparent. This allows the hunter to quickly record a hit or miss and, if necessary, try to hit the target again before it disappears from view.
The combustion features of such gunpowder make it possible to achieve greater muzzle pressure and increase the initial flight speed of a shot or bullet. This contributes to more accurate shooting and less influence of wind on the trajectory of the projectile.

Bars smokeless gunpowder allows you to realize all these advantages during hunting, provided that all recommendations for its use are followed.

History of creation and possibility of use in hunting

This gunpowder was developed in the Soviet Union in the 70-80s and was actively used by hunters for many years. However, there is still ongoing debate about the purposes for which it was created.

Some users claim that it was the next step in comparison with Sokol gunpowder, since it had greater density. Proponents of this point of view insist that this composition was developed specifically for use in hunting ammunition.
Another position is that Bars was the result of a slight change in the gunpowder used in the production of machine gun cartridges. The company took this step to save money on developing a new composition. Supporters of this point of view point out the unsuitability of this gunpowder for hunting, since the main purpose of its creation was its use for assessing the strength of guns during testing.

Many years of practice have proven its effectiveness for shooting game. However, like any other gunpowder, Bars has both positive aspects and disadvantages.

What are the advantages of this composition

In addition to the general positive aspects characteristic of any smokeless powder, Bars also has its own advantages.

Dense composition (1.7 - 1.8 times higher than that of the Sokol composition). Its particles have a spherical shape. This allows the use of a smaller volume of gunpowder in the manufacture of cartridges.
"Bars" refers to the nitroglycerin type of smokeless powder. When burned, it emits less gases than pyroxylin analogues.
Comparative ease of manufacture. This makes the Barça price more affordable than its peers.
Compared to the "Falcon", it, as a rule, provides a higher initial speed of flight of a bullet or shot.

It was the combination of these advantages that prompted many hunters to create large reserves of this gunpowder. Despite the fact that it is not sold today and has been replaced by more modern mixtures, many users still talk about using Bars, produced in the 80s and 90s.

Gunpowder storage

Despite the fact that Bars smokeless powder retains its characteristics even after drying, this does not mean that it can be stored anywhere. Indeed, in addition to high air humidity, the product can also be negatively affected by other weather conditions, for example, a sharp change in temperature or direct rays of sunlight. In this regard, the manufacturer notes several important points related to the choice of storage space:

It should be out of direct sunlight. Otherwise, the nitroglycerin mixture will begin to gradually lose its properties, which will lead to loss of ballistic characteristics . It is best to store gunpowder in some closet or safe where the sun will never penetrate. But leaving the product in an opaque jar on the dresser is not a very good idea, since the sun will still help heat the container and increase the temperature in it (smoothly move on to the second point).
Constant temperature. Any professional hunter will say that gunpowder will inevitably lose its quality if it is stored for several months at a temperature of +25 degrees Celsius, and then transferred to a room with +10 degrees. Therefore, it is important to choose a room where the temperature will be constant both in winter and summer, for example, an apartment, house or heated summer kitchen. But where you definitely shouldn’t store gunpowder is in the garage, since the temperature in it greatly depends on the environment.
Normal air humidity. Although Bars gunpowder retains its properties after drying, it is still not recommended to store it in conditions with high humidity, otherwise sooner or later the granules will stick together and change their structure. Of course, you shouldn’t go to extremes by installing a hygrometer in your apartment or forgetting about regular ventilation. However, gunpowder should not be stored in the kitchen or in a room with a large number of indoor plants, especially in the open.

A few words about the container that may be suitable for storing Bars gunpowder. It must be made of a suitable material that does not allow moisture to pass through, such as plastic or metal. However, under no circumstances should it be transparent, so it is better to immediately stop using plastic bags. The tightness of the container is welcome, although if the gunpowder is stored in suitable conditions, then this nuance is not important. Well, it’s also worth remembering that gunpowder should be placed in a clean and dry container.

It is strongly recommended not to store Bars smokeless powder in the vicinity of other black powders. The latter product may spontaneously ignite upon contact with another type of mixture. Even if a small amount of black powder gets into the Bars, it is best to immediately destroy the entire container, otherwise the consequences may be dire. The same applies to the proximity of cartridges that were previously used for shooting with black powder, since they may still contain a small amount of flammable mixture.

The maximum shelf life of Bars smokeless powder is 20 years. According to the manufacturer, after this period the mixture becomes unsuitable for measuring dosage , since various foreign substances are formed in it. However, the problem is that it is impossible to purchase a new Barca today, since the production of this product was discontinued more than 20 years ago.

What are the disadvantages of this composition

Shooters planning to use such gunpowder need to know its disadvantages.

Users noted a relatively low range of deviations when weighing: it should not exceed 0.03 g from the recommended norm.
When making a cartridge, it is impossible to use measuring containers. This is due to the fact that the density of the mixture is non-standard. Deviations of this parameter were also recorded in different batches of gunpowder.
The use of Bars is limited to 12-, 16- and 20-gauge shotguns. Using it in smaller models risks destroying them.
Experienced hunters note the negative impact of this gunpowder on the accelerated wear of cartridges: they last for fewer shots than when using other compounds.
Since “Bars” is a nitroglycerin type of mixture, its combustion temperature is several hundred degrees higher than that of pyroxylin analogues. This can cause the gun to wear out faster.

In addition to the described disadvantages, such gunpowder requires special storage conditions and the use of special primers.

Description of gunpowder

The development of Bars gunpowder began in the 70s of the last century and continued for almost 10 years. Disputes about the exact purpose for which this product was produced do not subside on weapons forums to this day, because everyone knows that in the USSR at that time there was an excellent alternative in the form of smokeless powder “Falcon”. Some believe that they simply wanted to divert the attention of Russian hunters to a product that had greater density. Other people claim that the company released a gunpowder suitable for strength testing of guns (the product produced too much muzzle energy).

Over several years of operation, Bars gunpowder has shown impressive technical characteristics not only in shooting range conditions, but also during hunting. Many fishermen have completely abandoned the use of “Falcon” in their cartridges, preferring the more powerful “Bars”. Such a decision was usually associated with product features:

Gunpowder completely restores its properties after drying. In this regard, even Sokol cannot compete with Bars, because the latter loses its characteristics after soaking and does not return them even after complete drying. Although this does not mean that you should completely give up on ensuring optimal storage conditions.
Smokeless shot. The gases formed at the moment of a shot are colorless, which means that the hunter will be able to record a hit or miss much faster and make the appropriate decision. Of course, Sokol can boast of similar quality, but Bars in this regard is not inferior to its main competitor.
High muzzle pressure. Due to its structure, Bars gunpowder has a higher density than Sokol. This means that more product will fit into the sleeve, but it will burn evenly. Accordingly, this feature affects the initial speed of the bullet, as well as its penetrating ability.

These are just the main features of the Bars, which are usually talked about by hunters who prefer to use it as an alternative to the Falcon. However, it is these factors that lead to both positive and negative aspects. We will talk about this in more detail in the following sections.

Advantages

Let's start with the positive qualities of Barca, which, although there are not as many as the shortcomings, but they sound more convincing. Here are just the points that the vast majority of hunters urge you to pay attention to:

Price. The technology for producing particles with a spherical shape is much simpler than creating the “flakes” of the Falcon. This means that the cost of the Bars is somewhat lower, so many Russian fishermen and amateur hunters will inevitably give it preference.
"Clean" shot. Sokol gunpowder is not recommended for use in self-loading carbines operating on the principle of a gas engine - too many particles do not burn when fired, but simply settle on the metal. There will be no such problems with Bars.
Economical. Considering that the density of the Bars is approximately 1.8 times greater than that of the Falcon, not much gunpowder will be required to equip the cartridges. Although the remaining space can be used to strengthen the load and give the shot more power.
Relatively quiet shot. Compared to the pyroxylin "Falcon", the nitroglycerin "Bars" does not produce as many gases. Well, the less air is released from the muzzle, the quieter the shot will be - an extremely important aspect for any hunter.
Ballistic characteristics. Even when using the same hitch as the Sokol, the Bars will show much better initial speed and power. And if the amount of shot and gunpowder increases, then the shot will become completely deadly even for a bear.
Duration of storage. According to the manufacturer, the maximum shelf life of smokeless Bars is 20 years (almost 3 times higher than Sokol). However, in practice, even those gunpowders whose age exceeds this indicator are often used.

It was the combination of all these factors that prompted many hunters to abandon the purchase of the Falcon and give preference to the Bars. And despite the fact that this gunpowder has not been produced for a long time (production ceased in the 90s), some fishermen will be happy to buy even a 20-year-old product, since its characteristics remain practically unchanged after the maximum storage period.

Flaws

Considering all of the above, Bars gunpowder may seem almost ideal to many readers, but in reality it is not so. In fact, this product was discontinued precisely because it has a huge number of shortcomings. Therefore, if you decide to purchase it to load your cartridges, be sure to read the following points:

Low range of recommended deviation from the hitch . There is no harm in loading a 12 gauge with a little more shot and powder than is the case with the Falcon. However, this must be done strictly according to the weights indicated by the manufacturer himself. Otherwise, even an extra 0.04 grams of gunpowder will negatively affect the life of the weapon or lead to its failure.
Inability to use standard measuring containers. The other side of the coin of the already mentioned feature is the spherical composition of the granules. Considering that the density of the product is higher, it will be almost impossible to choose a container that would have suitable measurements. Of course, you can make this tool yourself, for example, from a spent cartridge case. However, in this case problems may arise (see the next paragraph).
Different density of gunpowder in different batches. Many hunters recorded this drawback not in the best way - they suffered from the use of self-loaded cartridges, which, it would seem, were created according to the same standards as previous samples. That is why we repeatedly recommend that readers measure the mass of the final cartridge case and compare it with the samples. It is not always possible to rely on the product having the same density.
Limited use by caliber. Considering that during the detonation of a cartridge with Bars gunpowder a huge amount of energy is released (especially in reinforced weights of gunpowder and shot), it is recommended to use this product only on 12-, 16- and 20-gauge shotguns. The use of cartridges with Bars gunpowder on smaller barrels is fraught with their destruction and causing severe injuries to the hunter.
The influence of gunpowder on the wear resistance of cartridge cases. Each liner has its own wear resistance parameter. For example, on plastic models it is about 10 shots. So, even if you use brass cartridges, you can safely divide the specified parameter by 3, since Bars gunpowder very quickly destroys the walls of the cartridges, which is not very economical.
Negative effect on the chamber. You can forget about using Bars if your weapon does not have a chrome finish. Otherwise, its service life will be reduced by several thousand shots. However, even owners of heavy-duty shotguns should be extremely careful with attachments, since the detonation power can be so great that the flame will affect even a thin layer of chrome.
It is desirable to have special containers in cartridges. Otherwise, the accuracy of the battle may be unpredictable. At the same time, installing additional wads with increased density will also not help in any way, since any material will burn out extremely quickly. But if the shot or buckshot is placed in a special wad container, the shot will be much more accurate.

As you can see, Bars has a lot of shortcomings. Whether it is worth purchasing such a product, and even one that has expired, is up to you to decide. Much depends on the strength of the weapon, as well as the goals the hunter pursues. For example, if you desperately wanted to hunt a wild boar with a reliable double-barreled shotgun of 12 or 16 caliber , then in principle it is possible to equip cartridges with buckshot and “Leopard”. However, be aware of the disadvantages of gunpowder and exercise caution when preparing ammunition.

What guns is Bars suitable for shooting?

Like any other smokeless powder, it is only suitable for use in guns that are marked to accept this type of mixture. If there is none, then cartridges filled with Bars should be discarded. This is due to the risk of barrel rupture.

You should also refrain from firing these types of cartridges from older guns made during the black powder era. Its barrel was probably designed without taking into account the ability to withstand increased loads, which would be dangerous for the hunter himself.

Many users note the aggressive influence of the combustion products of this non-metal gunpowder. If there is damage in the chamber area, you should refrain from using Bars and switch to another composition.

Under no circumstances should you fill small-caliber cartridges with it. The risk of injury as a result of the destruction of the trunk will be enormous.

What to do if gunpowder has been stored for more than 20 years

Since Soviet times, hunters have tried to keep large reserves of gunpowder. Many forum users describe their experience of using formulations manufactured before 1990, based on the fact that they have an ethereal odor. To assess the suitability of such stocks, a number of steps must be taken.

Take a sheet of paper with sides 3 and 10 cm.
A line is drawn 2-3 cm above its narrow edge and another 5 cm above the previous one.
The sheet is folded parallel to the long side, with the drawn lines outward, and a quarter of a gram of gunpowder is evenly poured into the fold between the marks.
The paper is placed on a non-flammable surface and set on fire from the top edge.
When the flame reaches the gunpowder, you will need to start the stopwatch. The resulting time is recorded at the moment the fire approaches the bottom line.

If its burning period was 2 seconds, then the composition fully retained its properties. When the distance took half a second longer to travel, the gunpowder partially lost power and the cartridge will require an additional 0.1 g. If the burning time was 1.6 - 1.7 seconds, then the reserves will have to be disposed of, since it is unsafe to store them.

How to prepare ammunition for hunting

If the gunpowder turns out to be suitable for use, then it will be useful for preparing ammunition. It should be remembered that you will need to use only high-quality components that ensure increased tightness of the cartridge.

Since the ignition temperature of such a charge is in the range of 180-200 degrees, high-power capsules will be needed. It is recommended to install the Zhevelo model. It creates the necessary conditions for detonation.

When measuring the required amount of gunpowder, you must be extremely precise. Experienced hunters recommend purchasing medical scales, since dispensers do not allow you to measure the required charge. An error can lead to the destruction of the gun during shooting, as well as injury to both the user and surrounding people.

The following optimal weights of this powder have been established.

For 12-gauge cartridges, 35 g of shot is charged with 2.6 g of the composition.
If the gun is 16 gauge, then 30 g of the destructive substance will require 2.2 g of gunpowder.
For a 20-gauge, the weight will be 2 g per 25 g of charge.

Experiments with a large amount of gunpowder are highly dangerous, so it is recommended to start shooting with the minimum specified amount.

To ensure charge density, you will need to use additional wads.

Gunpowder weight Bars

When equipping hunting shotgun cartridges with Bars gunpowder, one should take into account the fact that this gunpowder occupies a volume 1.8-1.9 times less than Sokol gunpowder, with the same mass of the powder charge. This is especially important to take into account when measuring volumetric Bars gunpowder, since a measure adjusted to 2 g of Sokol includes 3.6-3.8 g of Bars. Based on the fact that Bars gunpowder is almost twice as dense, and that with the slightest error during volumetric measurement the mass of gunpowder changes greatly, this gunpowder should only be weighed.

In accordance with TU 84-720-77, the maximum permissible charge weight for a 12-gauge is 2.6 g with 35 g of shot, for a 16-gauge - 2.2 g with 30 g of shot and for a 20-gauge 2 .0 g with 25 g of fraction. However, if there is no special instruction on the label, you should practically adhere to the following rule: start zeroing your gun not with the maximum permissible charge of Bars gunpowder, but with a powder reduced by at least 0.4-0.5 g for each caliber, that is :

for 12 gauge with 2.1-2.2 g,
for the 16th - from 1.7-1.8 g,
for the 20th - from 1.5-1.6 g.

Since one batch of gunpowder can be quite different from another, the main starting point for starting zeroing should be the minimum data available in the included instructions for using the gunpowder or on the label. For example, on the label of one of the batches of Bars gunpowder the following instructions are given:

charges for a 12-gauge gun: gunpowder - 2.1-2.4 g, shot - 35 g;
charges for a 16-gauge gun: gunpowder - 1.7-2.1 g, shot - 30 g;
charges for a 20-caliber gun: gunpowder - 1.4-1.8 g, shot - 25 g.

Based on the above, based on the label instructions, you should start zeroing with the minimum charges of gunpowder, i.e. for the 12 gauge take 2.1 g of gunpowder, for the 16 gauge - 1.7 g, and for the 20 gauge - 1.4 g of gunpowder. This rule should always be followed. When adding gunpowder, all empty cartridges should be on one side. The cartridge case with gunpowder is placed in the opposite direction, they take an empty cartridge case, pour gunpowder into it and again put it in the other direction - and so on for the entire batch. Then the can of gunpowder is removed, the wads are taken out and the next operation begins.

Cardboard wads with a total thickness of 2.5-3 mm must be sent directly to the gunpowder. You should not press them too hard against the gunpowder, as the pressure in the barrel may increase during the shot. You need to act like this: with your left hand you hold the cartridge case (it stands on a stand with a hole in the middle so that the capsule does not press against the table), and with your right hand you send the wads with a warrior, without lifting your elbow from the table. With this equipment, the pressure of the right hand will be approximately 5-6 kg, which is what is required. Before inserting a cardboard wad into the case, you need to lightly tap the case with your fingernail to shake off the gunpowder, and only then insert and send the wad.

Caring for your gun after a hunt

Hunters who have been using Bars for a long period note its negative impact on the condition of the steel near the chamber. This is due to the following reasons.

The high combustion temperature of this gunpowder.
Aggressive chemical environment formed after the shot.
Relatively high pressure of powder gases in the chamber.

If nothing can be done about the consequences of mechanical and thermal effects on steel, then it will be quite possible to reduce the wear of the gun due to the influence of the chemical components of the cartridge. During the shot, the substances of the primer and gunpowder interact, leading to the formation of acidic compounds. For this reason, careful cleaning of the weapon with products containing alkaline components is required. Some users recommend repeating the procedure to remove any remaining residue that has formed on the gun.

Finding stocks of Bars gunpowder in hunting stores today is almost impossible. It has not been produced for a long time and its shelf life has already expired. However, there is a high chance of finding it in the supplies of experienced hunters. Having discovered the Bars, you should not rush to fill the cartridges with them. First, you will need to verify its suitability using the described method for checking properties.

The combination of disadvantages of this gunpowder will require high skills in the manufacture of cartridges. Unlike other mixtures, mistakes can lead to the most negative consequences. If the hunter is inexperienced, it is recommended to use modern formulations, widely available in stores.

Despite the availability of this gunpowder, savings can come at a cost. The cost of a new gun, not to mention treatment, will significantly exceed the price at which you can buy modern and relatively safe gunpowder in a hunting store.

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Comments

Herzen nNIKOLAY 07/23/2018 at 11:21 Bars is gunpowder that is made by processing military gunpowder that has expired.
They have their own technology, which ensures such graininess and density of this product. Answer
Sergey 04/06/2019 at 01:14
You can add magnesium filings to Sokol gunpowder. You can save gunpowder and increase the sharpness of the flight of a bullet or shot. The weight must be selected experimentally according to the caliber of cartridges.
Answer
Sergey 08.10.2021 at 16:24
2 g for 20 gauge? Even Sokol cannot be poured into 20 caliber. P leopard – 1.2-1.3 g per eye. And there’s a lot of language in the article; there’s no desire to even comment on everything.
Answer
YuryY 25.11.2021 at 00:15
Having shot 1 can of gunpowder, Bars was very pleased with it, the manufacturer’s weight was nb35 × 2.47. I shot, making myself a proportion of 28 × 2.47 ÷ 35, it turned out 1.9 g per 28 g. From 15 meters to 30, number 7, all the game, snipe, fell, quail, woodcock, phase. According to the hare, the leaf was fully charged for 40 meters, there were no gifts for the hare. It was produced and would have been on sale, I bought it without hesitation, but not for fools, only a sample and not any measurements.
Answer

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Gunpowder "Falcon"

“Falcon” gunpowder is weighed on the scales with an accuracy not exceeding 0.05 g, preferably downward from the set charge, i.e. if the gunpowder charge is set to 2.2 g, then the weight should be in the range of 2.15–2, 2 g, and not 2.2–2.25 g. This is especially important with the maximum permissible weights.

For shooting shot and buckshot at an air temperature of plus 20 ° C and using felt wads, the following powder weights are used: in 12 gauge 2.1–2.2 g (shot mass 32–35 g); in 16 gauge 1.8–2 g (shot weight 27–30 g); in 20 gauge 1.5–1.7 g (shot weight 24–26 g); in 28 caliber 1.3 g (shot mass 19–23 g) and in 32 caliber 0.95 g (shot mass 14–22 g).

In heavy guns, more powerful charges are used for each caliber, while in light guns, minimal charges are used. If wood-fiber wads are used when loading cartridges, then the powder weight should be increased by 0.1 g, and if polyethylene with or without a concentrator, then reduced by 0.2 g compared to the recommendations for felt wads.

When shooting at a temperature of minus 20°C, you should shoot cartridges equipped with felt wads, and the weight of Sokol gunpowder should be increased by 0.1 g compared to the charge weight used at a temperature of plus 20°C for the same felt wads.

If it is necessary to reduce the mass of gunpowder and shot in 12-gauge cartridges for shooting small fur-bearing animals, then zeroing the weapon should begin with a weighing of “Falcon” gunpowder of 1.1-1.2 g and a shot weight of 15-16 g. It should be taken into account that The rolling of the sleeve must be made very strong, which can be achieved by increasing its depth with the simultaneous use of glue (type BF). In this case, use only the “Zhevelo-powerful” capsule, since it promotes faster combustion of gunpowder. It is possible to use rubber or cork to make wads used in cartridges with half-charges.

When firing bullets, the amount of Sokol gunpowder should be increased by 0.1 g.