possible and simple to make so called "Staubpulver" dust powder by mixing sulphur,charcoal and saltpeter. this is not so easy to ignite like professionel made gunpowder but loaded one part homemade powder over one part gunpowder works satisfying. will burning also with much more dirt and is not so powerful like the real thing. only useful for muzzle loader canons when shoting salute but works also in shotgun cartridges. the book "the golden age of shotgunning" mention the use of homemade powder from professional waterfowler's in the united states because of the prise of gunpowder beside of homemade smokless powder's between 1870 and 1918. they had also problems with ignition and use a amount of gunpowder as a starter.