The reason for at least some of the different regs in handling BP vs smokeless is because of their different ignition & burn charateristics. Also I believe BP is classified as an explosive & smokeless as a propellant. BP is easier to ignite & burns at essentially the same speed in the open as confined. Take just a dab of each & pour out on a smooth hard surface & ignite each with a match, the difference will be immediately apparent. I "Found this out for myself" years before I had even heard of Bell. As long as kept dry BP will burn effectively at any level one might desire to load in a gun, from the max load on down. Smokeless on the other hand requires a minimum pressure level for insured ignition. Many I fear are taking powders out of their design parameters in the desire for extremely low pressures & are courting with failure, perhaps a load left in the bore which could be disastrous if undetected.
