3F in a .54?

[ghunter]

I use 44 grs FFFg in my .58 Enfield with good results on breakable targets at 50 and 100 yards. This pushes a 500 gr minie.
60 grs FFg was the standard powder load during the Civil war, with devastating results.

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.

 

[Fishslap]

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]

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.

 

[dave951]

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.

Well.........
Here's a group I shot out of a Kibler Colonial in 54 with 3f Swiss.

 

[Mike in FL]

Well.........
Here's a group I shot out of a Kibler Colonial in 54 with 3f Swiss.

View attachment 349938

Terrific. I haven't justfinely tuned to that point. I hope I can.

 

[dave951]

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

 

[Codger Craig Wilcox]

Since 1960, I have only used FFF in revolvers; and only FF in rifles and smoothbores. Never disappointed.

 

[Boomerang]

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]

No tuning at all. Rifle was on its maiden voyage to the range

Well then, you can take credit for a perfect assembly and a good foundational knowledge of feeding flintlock longrifles.

 

[hanshi]

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.

 

[westrayer]

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.

 

[wiscoaster]

I use 44 grs FFFg in my .58 Enfield with good results .....

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.

 

[dave951]

Well then, you can take credit for a perfect assembly and a good foundational knowledge of feeding flintlock longrifles.

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.

 

[Old Bear]

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

 

[ETipp]

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]

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.

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.

 

[ChuckJonesWagon]

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!

 

[William O.]

Just gave my .54 GPR a “test” firing. It works.
I have 2F subs, 3F Triple 7 and 3F Swiss. The test was with Swiss and a few patches, no ball in case it didn’t fire.
I will -NOT- be using the set trigger. I’m fine with the already light front trigger as is. It is like shooting an old S&W N frame .44, couple pound trigger, mere ounces if used single action or set trigger.
I have way more 2F than I do 3F. In order to stretch out my supply, considering a 2F main with a 3F “kicker”. My friend that left it to me would use anywhere from 15-35gr of loose powder, under 2 .50/50 Pyrodrek or T7 pellets. Worked okay, very accurate, tolerable recoil, easy enough cleaning, but the stench would gag a maggot. Not real fond of pellets in a side lock but…
The 3F T7 can lists .45 and .50 loads, with a 100gr max load. So 110-120gr max in a .54 “should” be okay? Is the 3F Swiss about the same in a rifle? I’ve shot both in my ROA, Swiss smells better, they shoot to the same poi in a 7.5” barrel. Loaded volume for volume, add ball, seat, wipe with bore gup.
The GPR is AZ (1990) proofed, 299XXX serial range. Fits me like it was made for my 6’2” 240# frame. My TC .50 does not, so the GPR is going to be my hunting rifle, I have a hog shoot coming up when it cools off. GPR and a restocked open iron sighted unmentionable of the Simonov persuasion. Just looking for a good starting load for straight 3F, or duplexed with a 2F main charge. Thanks y’all.

As !omg as you work up an accurate k