2f or 3f

[jim m]

it's raining and I'm bored, so what do most people use in a 20ga with shot, 2f or 3f or do you think it really matters

 

[The Baron]

I started out using 2f then switched to 3f. Results were similar, but I now use 3f for both main charge and prime and that is handy for me. I load around 10% less with 3f than I did with 2f, so I guess there is some savings there, albiet negligible for the amount of shooting I really do. I also found 3f burns a bit cleaner overall (than 2f).

 

[roundball]

it's raining and I'm bored, so what do most people use in a 20ga with shot, 2f or 3f or do you think it really matters

I use Goex 3F...my belief is that it gets the payload out of the barrel faster, less fouling, etc...

 

[Gemoke]

I use 2f my gun just seems to like it better

 

[Wes/Tex]

Try reading through Bob's site...good guy, good advise!
[url] http://home.insightbb.com/~bspen[/url]/

 

[paulvallandigham]

Read the V.M. Starr on Bob's site. His information is much better advice.
[url] http://members.aye.net/~bspen/starr.html[/url]

It all depends on how you load the gun, what wads you use or don't use, and what kind of performance you are looking for out of that 20 ga. gun. The difference between using hard 1/8" thick card wads over the powder, as opposed to using soft felt wads, can mean as much as 200 fps difference in velocity, depending on which powder you use.

TIP: Use round ball when working up decisions about which wads or cards to use. They can be shot over a chronograph easier than a load of shot. Once you have those decisions made as to components, and powder, it is easy to change the Round Ball for a load of shot, and then work on patterns.

 

[Wes/Tex]

Just remember that Mr. Starr was discussing choked guns with his card loading advise. Can make a difference. Have never found that set-up to work exceptionally well in cylinder choked guns.

 

[paulvallandigham]

Using the thin, overshot cards or wafers, you can turn them sideways, and bend them to fit through your choke, where they will then turn and seal the barrel, particularly as used the way the Iron Jim Rackham has described. The same works in open cylinder guns.

Patterns that are blown are usually due because the shooter is using too much powder. The loads that V.M. Starr recommends are almost all below the speed of sound( 1100 fps.) so that the patterns are not blown as the shot comes down through the sound barrier in the first 20 yards.

 

[clayman49]

Hi, there are reasons for and against using FFF; it shoul not to be used in original shotguns as most are damascus barrels because FFF produses more presure. But the lower pressure FF needs a longer barrel so as to burn completely. FFF is more powerful so you need less powder. I use FFF as my shotguns (repro) have 30" & 32" barrels, but in my original flint & perc shotguns, only FF. I use 1 & 1/4oz shot and the same measure of powder. But remeber best results are found easier on the patern board, also the load should do the job you intend it to do, either break a clay or kill humanely (all at the distance you shoot at). Happy shooting.