4Fg in Ruger Old Army?

[bigbore442001]

Ok. I know it isn't advised but I was wondering if anyone here has experimented with using 4Fg powder in the Ruger Old Army? I was thinking about trying it out. Thanks for any replies.

 

[FishDFly]

Nope and why would a person?

RDE

 

[TFoley]

Ok. I know it isn't advised but I was wondering if anyone here has experimented with using 4Fg powder in the Ruger Old Army? I was thinking about trying it out. Thanks for any replies.

Uh, could it be because the people who actually built it didn't advise it? :youcrazy:

If somebody advised you not to stick any part of your anatomy in a blender, would you think about trying it out?

Guess you won't be thanking me for THIS reply, but heck, I'll get over it.... :wink:

tac, STILL safely shooting his 23-year old ROA with the grade of powder as recommended by the makers.

 

[Leatherbark]

The original Lyman Black Powder manual had 4f loads for revolvers in it back early eighties.
Personally If I wanted good performance from a Old Army I'd use Swiss brand 3f black........Very clean burning accurate and powerful................Bob

 

[Hawkeye]

If you are trying to get .44 Mag performance I suggest a Smith & Wesson Model 29, and leave the BP revolvers to those who love them for what they are.

 

[Zonie]

Well, the current Ruger Old Army Manual says in part,
"Black Powder is usually classified by powder
grain size, with “Fg” being the largest granulation and “FFFFg” being the
smallest granulation normally available. Any granulation within these gradations
could be used in the “Old Army”; normally, however, “FFFg” is the preferred
grain size. Replica black powder such as Pyrodex may be used, so long as
suggested loading data is strictly adhered to..."

It also says,
"It is safe to use as much Black Powder as the chamber will hold, leaving room for
the bullet. This maximum loading is not usually the most accurate loading,
however.
A good starting accuracy load, using a pure lead .457” diameter ball, is 20 grains
of FFFg and sufficient filler (corn meal is frequently used as a filler material) to
seat the ball approximately 1/16” below the chamber mouth. You may find that
some minor adjustment of this charge upwards or downwards is more accurate
in your “Old Army.”
Filler is not required and can be completely dispensed with if the powder charge
takes up at least 1/2 of the cylinder..."

That said, I must warn everyone who is shooting any revolver other than a Ruger Old Army that 4F powder can and will create DANGEROUS PRESSURES if it is used as a powder charge in their Cap & Ball pistols.
Unless they are wanting to relive those thrilling days of yesteryear and experiance the thrill of having their cylinder explode I do not recommend using 4F powder in their guns.

 

[BullRunBear]

What Zonie said. Plus, as a flintlock shooter it hurts to think of using so much good pan priming powder in a revolver.

Jeff

 

[Blizzard of '93]

I use a .32acp caseful of 4F under the main charge of 3F (7.62X39 caseful) as a kicker - denitely more recoil than a straight 3F charge. not one bit more accurate though.
I shoot Lee mold conicals.