2F or 3F for .54 hunting loads

[Brim]

just finished a full stocked .54 (1:66) flinter Hawken....going to be my full time deer/elk killer. Question is....should I just try both 2F and 3F for developing roundball loads.....or do you think one has an advantage over the other??

Right now I shoot a cap gun w/ 80gns. 3F and get 2" groups off the bench @ 100yds. w/ a conical.....
Suggestions???

 

[rabjr]

Yes try both.

My 42" Ed Rayle .54 barrel liked 90gr 2F.
My 32" Colerain 1803 .54 barrel shot both 2F and 3F and prefers 90gr 3F.

 

[roundball]

If you have both, wouldn't hurt to try both of course.
I personally use Goex 3F in everything I can...90grns in my .54cal Flint smoothbore.

2F was an eyelash more accurate with PRBs in my .62cal smothbore and since I had some I settled on that, but it wasn't really different enough to write home about

 

[Brim]

Both of you are right....just trying to save a little time, and cause a little conversation.
I also use 3F Goex in just about every thing but I do have both......so I guess off to the bench I go for some "quality time"! :thumbsup:

 

[Rifleman1776]

It sounds like you already have some experience and know what works for you in other guns. Really, IMHO, with a proper load there won't be a notable difference between2 or 3Fg. Just from old habits, with the 1:66 twist in a .54 the 2Fg might perform better. But, I'm being a hypocrite. My .54 flint Jaeger with a 1:72 twist works just fine with 3Fg.
Whatever floats yer stick.....

 

[Otter]

As the others have said - try both 2f & 3f. I have 3 - 54s and they seem to prefer 3f Goex (but that is the only "brand" I have ever shot in any of my MLs). Actually, I have used both 2f & 3f in them and I prefer the 3f :grin: .

 

[hanshi]

My .54 is a US M1841 and it dearly loves 3F. In fact 3F gives 1" groups at 60 yards. Never tried it at 100.

 

[BrownBear]

We have five 54 cals in the house, three of which clearly prefer 3f. The other two don't care one way or the other, so they are fed 3f also.

As for which is "right?" Eh. :idunno:

That's a question for theorists and keyboard ballisticians. Guns get first vote in our house. Shoot em and let them decide. :applause:

 

[nchawkeye]

I find 80grs of FFF Goex in my .54 gives me about the same performance as 100grs of FF...The advantage is, you use less powder so less fouling, smaller grains burn a bit better and faster so less fouling and you can use FFF in the pan with little or no difference over using FFFF...

KISS...

 

[aeatwood]

Ideally, the answer is yes. Best to work up a good load with both, and write them down. Use whichever is most accurate, but your guns shows up in hunting camp and your powder doesn't, you are good with whatever the other guys brought. ( or is available locally)

You SHOULD be able to find a load with both that shoots just fine. It will probably be a heavier charge of 2F to do the same job as the 3F.

 

[Brim]

thank you for your imput fellas.....keep yer' powder dry!!

 

[tg]

I have pretty much use 3f in all bores up to .72 and only the PRB as I found no need for any other projectile particularly in a bore as large as a .54, lots of extra cost and recoil no real gain without non period sights to extend the range.It just depends whether one is after the traditional experience or not when it comes to this choice. The powder type should tell you which the gun prefers with any projectile choice.