As a kid, when i didnt know any better, I used to remove the cordite strands from 375 H&H and use them as a 'fuse' to light firecrackers. The fuse on the firecrackers in india were unpredictable and at times burnt really fast and hence would burst before one had a chance to move away.
Cordite on the other hand when not confined by space, would burn evenly without exploding. whats more, one could line up a number of strands to make the 'fuse' longer esp in dangerous practices like burning blackpowder.