What formula can you use to create Black Powder

[Brakeman]

I remember we had that in school long time ago, just not how to make it. And i don't quite trust "wikihow.com"
From my memory, you could fire a match and lit the powder, and watch the reaction.

The most common BP formula is "75/15/10," which means 75% potassium nitrate, 15% charcoal and 10% sulfur. This formula has been known for centuries as one which will produce powerful black powder.

Note: This formula is also referred to as "15/3/2," or 15 parts potassium nitrate, 3 parts charcoal, and 2 parts sulfur, which amounts to the same thing.

In order to give our granulated powder the desired durability, we will be adding 1% dextrin to that formula. This will serve to bind the BP into hard, durable grains once it has been activated by hot water. With good ball-milling, 1% dextrin should produce BP granules that are very hard when they are completely dry. If even harder granules are desired, the dextrin can be increased to 2% without significantly affecting the final power of the BP.

The batch we'll be working with, then, for use in the ball mill from Skylighter (above), is as follows. The weights have been rounded off for ease of use.


Black Powder Formula

Component ............ Percent......Factor........ 4.35 oz..... 127 g
Potassium nitrate.......75%..........0.75........3.2 oz........ 94 g
Charcoal, airfloat .......15%........ 0.15........0.65 oz.......19 g
Sulfur.........................10%........ 0.10....... 0.45 oz.......12.5 g
Dextrin (baked starch)..+1%.......+0.01.......0.05 oz.......1.5 g

http://www.skylighter.com/fireworks/how-...-Cheap.asp

I cut the sulfur a little myself.

OH, and make your own willow charcoal, it's easy.