Abstract: A system for making black powder comprising a jet mill into which potassium nitrate, carbon and sulfur, plus any other desired additive, are inserted, the particles being mixed, pulverized and ground in a vortex of gaseous fluid while the vortex is moved through a curvilinear path in the mill, the smaller, lighter particles being centrifugally separated from the larger heavier particles and then exhausted from the mill, the mill being constructed to decelerate the particles during initial mixture and to thereafter accelerate them through the curvilinear path, the system also including a second jet mill into which are introduced the particles exhausted from the first mill plus an additional coating material, the entire mixture being caused to tumble and roll slowly in the second mill to effect improved smoothing and coating.