Quote Originally Posted by Turnup View Post
Black Powder does not detonate under any normally achievable conditions. By definition, "detonation" is a reaction which proceeds through the explosive at a speed greater than the speed of sound in the explosive. This speed in solids is far higher than the speed of sound in air. A deflagration (= combustion) velocity of 950 fps is considerably less than the speed of sound in BP and nowhere even approaching instantaneous.

The deflagration rate of BP is less sensitive to pressure than is nitro powder, so pressure curves are flatter and this is why it is so much more forgiving.

That said, I would not feel much comfort in putting holes in a container in an attempt to lessen the explosion and it seems that in opting for a prohibition the MLAIC feel the same.
We have been down this road before.

I believe the general term "detonation velocity" is a measure of how fast an explosive releases its gases. Gunpowder was preferred in the mines as it was considered a "soft explosive" because its slow release of pressure, compared to other explosives, rendered the rock rather than shattering it.
Semtex has a detonation velocity of 5 mile per second.