50 cal bore - 2f or 3f?

[Whitefeather]

First post...I've shot muzzleloader for 30 years now and grew up shooting 4f in the pan and 3f in the barrel. I've been seeing lately that the 3f is for .45 cal and smaller and 2f is better for .50's and up. Is there any truth to this and what would the advantages be? Better velocities, less fouling?

WF

 

[roundball]

First post...I've shot muzzleloader for 30 years now and grew up shooting 4f in the pan and 3f in the barrel. I've been seeing lately that the 3f is for .45 cal and smaller and 2f is better for .50's and up. Is there any truth to this and what would the advantages be? Better velocities, less fouling?

WF

Old ways die hard...you can use 3F where ever you want...an industry rule of thumb for using Goex 3F in place of 2F is to reduce the 2F load data by 10-15%.

ie: If you'd normally use 100grns Goex 2F, use 85-90grns of the faster burning 3F so the pressure will still be in the same ballpark as 2F.

I use 3F in .40/.45/.50/.54cal rifles and .62cal smoothbore...it's faster and fouls less for me.

 

[Hunter66]

I agree with Roundball. It is rule of thumb not set in stone to use 2F in 50 and larger. I have a 54 that shoots its best with 3F. I say shoot what shoots best.

 

[Whitefeather]

I agree with Roundball. It is rule of thumb not set in stone to use 2F in 50 and larger. I have a 54 that shoots its best with 3F. I say shoot what shoots best.

I've never given 2f much of a tryout yet. I may do some experimenting this summer. 3F has always shot well for me, so I'll probably just stick with it.

PS...Hunter66, I just noticed you're from Coraopolis. I'm about 16 miles west of Beaver. Having any luck in the Pa flintlock season yet?

WF

 

[Hunter66]

Whitefeather, I only got to hunt two days so far and nothing yet.

 

[longfowler]

I shoot 3f in all my guns, from pistol to 12 ga musket. It keeps things simple to only stock one powder! the only time I use anything else is in my turkey loads for the musket the best patterns come with 75 grs. of 1f. when I'm shooting roundball in that gun, I use 75 grs 3f with very little fouling and good accuracy out to 30 yrds.

 

[Joel Boyles]

I started out with 70 grains 2Fg in my Dixie TMR flinter. Groups were okay, but not great, and cleaning was a serious chore. On the advice of a friend, tried Schuetze 3Fg, and was amazed at the difference in consistency and accuracy. Cleanup was a lot easier as well.

Just my $.02

JWB

 

[RC]

I use 3fff goex in 45-50-62 when i go to shoots/rendezvous works great, less fouling, huntin season use 2ff..jes 10 grains more,,works great,but only shoot twice and ain't worried bout fouling...3fff hangs during huntin season,,course i do not reload everyday.. so 2ff works.. jes me! RC