Abstract: A transport container with a removable cover which is repeatedly removable and refastenable to the transport container. The transport container is sized to accommodate a plurality of individual premeasured charges of gunpowder. Each of the plurality of individual premeasured charges of gunpowder comprises a tube which is open at least one end thereof and the at least one open end of the tube is sealed with a removable cap once a suitable quantity of the loose granular charge of gunpowder is loaded therein. Each individual premeasured charge of gunpowder is loaded with gunpowder which has a relatively low moisture content to facilitate reliable and substantially complete ignition of all of the gunpowder ignition, upon detonation of a firearm.

Abstract: A clean burning premeasured compressed charge for use in black powder firearms as well as cartridges. The premeasured compressed charge is manufactured to have a substantially desired shape which facilitates improved flame propagation by the leading end wall and along the exposed sidewall surfaces of the compressed charge to result in a more complete and rapid burning of the compressed charge both from the leading end wall toward the trailing end wall and also radially inwardly from each one of the four sidewalls toward a center of the premeasured compressed charge. The premeasured compressed charge has a leading end portion and a trailing end portion and the leading end portion is either the same size or a smaller dimension than the trailing end portion.

Abstract: An improved fuel composition suitable for use in explosive compositions is obtained by forming a reaction product of a transition metal or transition metal compound, preferably iron or iron oxide, with ascorbic or erythorbic acid. The improved fuel composition is combined in admixture with an inorganic oxidizing agent to produce an improved explosive composition. When the improved fuel composition is combined in admixture with potassium nitrate, an improved explosive composition suitable for use as a gunpowder having enhanced performance characteristics is obtained. Methods for making the fuel composition and the explosive composition are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of making gas generation compositions is provided comprising the steps of dry mixing an oxidizing agent, an organic acid, an iron compound and carbon to form a dry mixed product composition, without cooking, and then introducing a binder, such as water, to the composition, compacting the bound composition, comminuting the compacted bound composition to form granules and drying the compacted granules without cooking.