Even though it's stronger, why does smokeless powder sound so much wimpier than black powder?

Question

It's short sharp sound sounds less dramatic even though its a lot more powerful.

Answer 1

Hadn't thought about it.  But if you think about it, dynamite comes in small packages.  LOL!

H

Answer 2

I disagree. I shoot blackpowder and smokeless, and I think the smokeless is way way louder than the blackpowder.

Answer 3

Because one has a faster burn rate than the other probabaly. I mean I know they do just not sure which is faster I can't remember.

Answer 4

Have you ever heard a black powder cannon fire?  There are a good example of getting the full use out of Black Powder. I have never considered them to sound wimpy.

I don't have any problems with the way my black powder rifles sound. Since I only shoot real black powder I get to enjoy the smell too.

Answer 5

black powder is an explosive, it burns very quickly, thus the short sharp bang. if you pour a string of black powder out on the ground and light one end it will burn almost all at once.

do the same thing with smokless powder and it will slowly burn from the ignition point to the end.

modern smokless powder has a set burn rate and produces much more pressure in the barrel than black powder. thats why smokless powder cannot be used in most blackpowder guns. the pressure could cause a failure in the barrel or chamber.

Answer 6

I think you're making an unfair comparison. Chances are, what you're thinking of in your comparison is front-stuffers with a big hole in the end vs. cartridge guns with a little hole. Compare the black powder loadings and the smokeless ones in, say, a 45 Colt, and I think you'll be hard pressed to tell the difference.

Answer 7

I agree with the poster than suggests that smokeless powder makes a louder bang than black powder.  I can tell you, even with the smaller calibers with large cases - rifles like the 220 Swift make a lot more noise than my Thompson-Center 45 caliber Hawken.