3F powder vs. 2F in .54cal flintlock rifle

[Grenadier1758]

Take 2 or 3 gallon milk jugs full of water. Set them in line at your max hunting range, about 75 to 100 yards. Load up your accurate hunting load and shoot at the bottles. If the bullet makes it into the third jug, that load will put down an elk.

 

[bldtrailer]

3f works for me top load work up at 50yrds then a sight in/ 2f not as good in my 54 gain twist Hoyt barrel swiss powder and 10 oz denim tallow lube

 

[Frontiersman]

Here are my results so far. I attended the Eastern Primitive Rendezvous in Zions Grove, PA (10/20 -10/27) I had no time to work up a load for my .54cal Woodsrunner (40" barrel). A friend had an old TC book with recommended powder charges. For the TC Renagade (26" barrel) it was a Wonder Lube patched .530 ball with 80gr FF Goex powder. So I gave it a go. I was shocked at how accurate this load was and placed 2nd in the Men's 25/50yd aggregate. I really don't care about winning competitions, as I built this rifle to hunt a doe or a bear in PA's Muzzleloading Season in 2 weeks (10/19 -10/26).
On the other hand I spoke with some experienced shooters, who have been competing in flintlock shoots for over 40yrs. A few guys told me was using too much powder. And I should start with 50gr for 80gr was excessive. While I do plan to work up a load by experimenting with different powders/amounts in the future, I have confidence in this load for this season. I'll keep you posted on how the hunt goes. Thanks again for everyone's input. Heck, that's why I joined this forum!

 

[Second-rate Marksman]

Anyone have any experience with Swiss 1.5? I’ve heard it’s essentially the same granulation as the 2F offered by other manufacturers.

 

[reddogge]

I continue to shoot FFg in my .60 NW trad gun and .50 rifles because I have so much on hand. I shoot FFFg in my .45, .36 and .32 though.