I have to get some powder. I have only ever shot 2f. I am going to devote the time I have coming up to working up a prb load for my White Mountain Carbine .50. (1:21 twist) Should I try some 3f in it or just stick with 2f and vary patch thickness and ball size? I guess the question is, which variable to I change first? powder? patch? or ball? Thanks.
2f or 3f
- Thread starter Brik847
- Start date
Help Support Muzzleloading Forum:
Mainly it's a personal choice...I've switched most everything to Goex 3F as its faster & cleaner than 2F...extremely accurate in all my Flintlocks regardless of caliber...40/.45/.50/.54/.62cals.Brik847 said:
An existing rule of thumb when switching from a 2F charge to 3F is to simply reduce the amount of 3F powder by 10-15%...ie: if you normally used 100grns 2f, just using 85grns of 3F will keep the pressures in the same ball park and POI is usually pretty close as well.
jtmattison
70 Cal.
- Joined
- Mar 17, 2004
- Messages
- 4,686
- Reaction score
- 9
I'd stick with the 2f.
You'll most likely have to shoot very light loads with the fast twist to obtain any accuracy. I have seen very good groups with PRB from a 1:28 twist but the powder charge was 50 grains.
I assume your rifle has shallow grooves. I'd use a close to bore size ball with thinner patch and a wad if necessary.
Are you trying to work up a hunting load? If so, you may be in for a big challenge.
HD
You'll most likely have to shoot very light loads with the fast twist to obtain any accuracy. I have seen very good groups with PRB from a 1:28 twist but the powder charge was 50 grains.
I assume your rifle has shallow grooves. I'd use a close to bore size ball with thinner patch and a wad if necessary.
Are you trying to work up a hunting load? If so, you may be in for a big challenge.
HD
paulvallandigham
Passed On
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2006
- Messages
- 17,537
- Reaction score
- 94
With that short barrel, use FFFg powder. Use a .490 ball, a .015, .018, or, 020" thick pillow ticking, pocket drill, linen, or muslin patch with a tight weave. The depth of the rifling will give you an idea which thickness will work the best for you.
Use cotton flannel cleaning patches to clean the gun. Your top Efficient load is going to be less than 64 grains, shooting a PRB. Your most accurate load will be around 50 grains of FFFg. These short barrels are best used, with PRB loads, at 50 yards and under. With the heavier conical, you can load 80 grains, and shoot good groups out to 100 yards. If you google " White Mountain Carbine ", you will find several good sites, with good information and loading data for conicals on them.I did not find any information on shooting a PRB in the gun. The guns are not being marketed for shooting a PRB, although there is no reason not to use them. The sellers are pushing the substitute powders, and the plastic sabots, and jacketed pistol bullets in these short barrels, to get longer range. With open sights, the average hunter has no business taking a shot at a deer over 100 yards.
Use cotton flannel cleaning patches to clean the gun. Your top Efficient load is going to be less than 64 grains, shooting a PRB. Your most accurate load will be around 50 grains of FFFg. These short barrels are best used, with PRB loads, at 50 yards and under. With the heavier conical, you can load 80 grains, and shoot good groups out to 100 yards. If you google " White Mountain Carbine ", you will find several good sites, with good information and loading data for conicals on them.I did not find any information on shooting a PRB in the gun. The guns are not being marketed for shooting a PRB, although there is no reason not to use them. The sellers are pushing the substitute powders, and the plastic sabots, and jacketed pistol bullets in these short barrels, to get longer range. With open sights, the average hunter has no business taking a shot at a deer over 100 yards.
Yep, a friend of mine had a White Mountain and it shot pretty darn good with rd balls over 70 grs of 3f powder.
We got some snow, so maybe I can find my shot patches easier than usual to check them out. I would like to make a hunting load -- thinking 70 gr. powder might do it. For conicals I do shoot 80 grs behind a maxi-hunter and it is great. Somehow can't bring myself to load and shoot a sabot.
Hey Brik847, with regards to your last post, what powder load, weight of maxi hunter and rifle are you using? I have a WMC and was thinking of trying a 350 gr maxi hunter in front of a lubed op wad and 80 gr of goex fff. I was wondering what kind of accuracy I might expect.
Walks with fire
54 Cal.
I have a 24" 1/28 twist GM barrel that shoots .495 ball/.017 patch outstanding with 80 grains of Goex 2f; I have not got around to trying 3f yet.
I am shooting at 275 maxi-hunter with mink oil lube instead of the bore butter - I switched because it's cold here and I think the mink oil might be better in the cold weather. I use a felt wad over the powder. I have been shooting 80 grs. 2f. I haven't tried a heavier conical or 3f yet. My load is right on at 50 yds. I need to adjust my peep sight (and amount of powder) so that POI is 2" high at 50 so I can be better at 100 yds. With being right on at 50 I am about 8" low at 100.
Not yet - I did talk to a guy I was shooting with the other day who shot and killed a doe this past season at 90 yds with a sabot out of an inline -- I didn't pay attention to what kind. Anyway, he was going to change to conicals as he didn't like the results with the sabot load.
