Post-Exchange Gunpowder Production

[Raellus]

While checking out the Chula Vista Nature Center in San Diego today, I learned that there used to be a gunpower manufacturing plant on the grounds back between 1916-1919. Apparently, the plant removed potash from harvested kelp and then used that potash to manufacture "cordite" which was then sold to the British during WWI. I don't know much about cordite production but this historical tidbit got me thinking about how gunpowder would be manufactured post-exchange. From what I've gleaned from previous, related threads, brass reloading is relatively easy IF compatible propellant is available. Manufacturing that is the hard part. If kelp can be used as part of the process, it stands to reason that access to said kelp could be a strategic consideration, post exchange. I don't know if the Baltic coast features kelp beds...

I guess that modern firearms don't really use cordite anymore but it was used through WWII and, all things considered, it could probably be used used for "new" production ammunition post-exchange.

[simonmark6]

I have found a good description of the industrial process here:

http://www.dalbeattie.com/ministryofsupplyfactorydalbeattie/processes.html

It is an official museum website so I don't think that the information could be considered sensitive but I thought it best to provide a link rather than copy and paste the information which might look suspiciously like a nut job tellling people how to make bombs.

The process looks extremely complicated and it seems like it might be a huge job in a Twilight scenario.

[HorseSoldier]

Good enough will definitely be the enemy of best for stuff like this. It's likely that a lot of post TDM ammo will be reduced power both due to less complicated powders and lighter loads.

Trading for reloaded ammo should always be a cause for concern, as well.

[cavtroop]

I dont know much about reloading. My Dad reloads his stuff, but I've never sat with him to do it. I've always thought the most difficult piece to get would be the primer - the shells will be plentiful, bullets can be cast, and humans have been making gunpowder for centuries - but the primers....

EDIT:

OK, found this: http://www.youtube.com/watchv=x0jxpLH8FtY about one minute later (love Google!). So, primers wouldn't be too hard to remanufacture. Haven't watched the whole movie yet, but I will.

[Brother in Arms]

Modern gun powder is fairly hard to make including cordite. This wiki link is a really good basic explanation of smokeless powder.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smokeless_powder

black powder on the other hand is fairly easy to make and probably would be used in improvised grenades and mines.