I have a .69 blanket flintlock and a .75 brown bess. I was taught that to use 3f from .69 and smaller and 2f from .69 and larger and either or in the.69. I have always had good results from this rule.
3F in a .54?
- Thread starter SeaBee133
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I shoot 90gr of 2f T7 out of my 54 GPR percussion gun, kills elk and moose. I could shoot 3f if I wanted to also. I shoot 90gr 3f goex out of my 54 GPR flintlock, seems to leave less fouling with no accuracy change. I use a .535 ball and .015 patch lightly lubed with mink oil.
Mike in FL
50 Cal.
Trying to zero my Colonial .54 using 3F was futile. I tried every combination of powder charge, patch thickness, and ball size and could get no decent group even at 25 yards. Then I read something here about 2F in .54 so I bought a can. Instant improvement. Settled on 80 grains. All I need now is sight adjustment and a 50 yards check. I was amazed powder granulation could make such a difference.
Mike in FL
50 Cal.
Terrific. I haven't justfinely tuned to that point. I hope I can.
No tuning at all. Rifle was on its maiden voyage to the range
Since 1960, I have only used FFF in revolvers; and only FF in rifles and smoothbores. Never disappointed.
I tried 2f in my .54 GPR and I didn't get as good of groups as I do with 3f. Also, 3f flows better in a powder horn with a smaller opening.
Mike in FL
50 Cal.
Well then, you can take credit for a perfect assembly and a good foundational knowledge of feeding flintlock longrifles.
hanshi
Cannon
Long, long ago I used 2F and 3F interchangeably. Powder was only available locally and one had to take what was available at the time. Eventually that changed and I started using 3F almost exclusively in everything. Only a few particular loads in my rifles preferred 2F.
Everything from .32 up to .62 did just as well, or better, when fed 3F as opposed to 2f. It was easy to find great accuracy not only for deer but also for small game and targets and only use one powder.
Would I be just as satisfied with 2F as I am with 3F? Sure, probably, and all it would take would be starting over and working up the proper loads.
Everything from .32 up to .62 did just as well, or better, when fed 3F as opposed to 2f. It was easy to find great accuracy not only for deer but also for small game and targets and only use one powder.
Would I be just as satisfied with 2F as I am with 3F? Sure, probably, and all it would take would be starting over and working up the proper loads.
westrayer
40 Cal
I have owned T/C Renegades and Lyman Deerstalker in .54 caliber. Each seemed to like 90 grains of FFFg and a patched round-ball. Well, all I ever shot was patched round-ball. I tried Great Plains and Maxi ball and Maxi hunter bullets. Recoil was just too heavy for me. FFFg burns cleaner and hotter so you get higher velocity than with FFg.
I've also used 3F in my .58 smooth Colonial. Works just dandy and IMO doesn't foul as much. I use a lubed wad (tow) over the ball and I think that helps.
Not really. @PathfinderNC built it and did his usual stellar job. We were at the range and he brought it out for it's first range session. He was having some issues with it and with the exact same load, I shot that group using a different bench technique that I've described on this forum several times before. Benching longrifles sometimes requires using the old ways for success. @PathfinderNC tried my technique and he started shooting groups like that as well. There's lots of keyboard experts on the net but I listen to the old guys, read up on the old ways, and experiment to find what actually works. Couple that with good friends on the range of like mind like @PathfinderNC and Charlie, and the rest of my N-SSA friends, and it's a rare gun that we can't get to shoot fairly well.
3 f Goex all rifles and pistols
3F in everything for this ole boy. My .54 GPR loves it, 90 grains to be exact. Its all I have been using in my other .54 and .50's since the early 80's. My .50's conical shooters are very accurate with 80 grains of 3F was well.
SeaBee133
40 Cal
These are the replies I was hoping for. Revolvers I’m fairly proficient. Modern rifles/shotguns, always qualify as an expert. BP long guns I freely admit I’m rusty.
Thank you.
NEVER say the word "Rust" when discussing BP firearms!
As !omg as you work up an accurate k
SeaBee133
40 Cal
The .54 is poa at 60yds from 90gr Swiss 3F. Next test, same load in Triple 7.
60 yards is all I’m comfortable with using open irons. My eyes used to handle up to 200yds open iron with a .30wcf src, long before I needed bifocals.
What technique were you using on the bench to shoot? Not trying to be funny, would like to know, might help me and others out.
