Many years ago, I experimented with an English detonating compound - I believe the same one used in the tube locks, pill locks and percussion caps up until 1900, when I was later told the formula was outlawed due to it's sensitive nature.

Along with charging my home made percussion caps, I also made some rather explosive bullets with it.

I bored 3/*" holes into the nose of almost solid (modified base plunger).58 Minnies and shot those from my .58 Hawken. I filled the noses with the compound powder (mixed in a slurry then dried and carefully turned to a dust-YIKES) I sealed the noses over with beeswax.

After being warned of it's sensitivity and prone to explosiveness for no apparent reason, I stopped abandoned the practice. It (the compounds residue) was very corrosive to steel due to the potassium chlorate used.

They were, however, effective in cutting off Aspen trees. IIRC- 3 shots would cut off a 6" Aspen (Poplar).