A Question of Powders

[robertdeans72]

I'm sorry if this has been disscussed already but what would be the difference in using 3F instead of 2F in, say, a .577 to .62cal rifle?
Thanks, Rob

 

[Rebel]

1F :: Just kiddin'. Some people use one, some the other. I have used both in a .62 smoothbore. Only way to know which one works best in any particular gun is to try both. Just decrease your load about 15%-20% when using 3f.

 

Rob, I've used both in my .61 Jaeger and the main difference that I noticed was slightly less recoil with the ffg which is what I use now. The ffg seemed to push the ball out more smoothly and the fffg seemed to blast out of barrel. I may be nuts but that's how it felt to me. My fffg load was reduced by 10 grns. I honestly didn't notice any difference in the amount or quality of the fouling. I may switch back to fffg next time I buy powder just for the heck of it and maybe reduce my load volume by more than 10grns this time. At last weekend's shooting match the range officer asked me how many grains of powder I was using and I told him "90 grns." He said that he could see unburned powder blowing out of my barrel and caused it to smoke a lot more than usual. :hmm: Refer to the photos section and look at Shootin' match photos. I could hardly believe that 90 gr would be that ineffecient in a 31" .61 cal rifle and who thinks that's too much smoke?

 

[Wart]

For years I only used 2F Goex in my smoothbore 62 cal. I used 3F in my rifle 50 cal. The smoothbore with the 2F always needed scraped to get the sludge out of the breech when I cleaned it at the end of the day. I started shooting 3F in the smoothbore last year and find that I do not get the build up in the breech now.
I used 60-65 grains of 2F in the 62. I have dropped to 50-55 grains of 3F.
Personally, I feel the 3F is cleaner and faster.
:imo:

 

[Rebel]

50-55 grs of 3f in the .62 smoothbore sounds like an awfully light load. Are you getting good accuracy with it, and is it hitting POA?

 

[Nightwind]

I'm shooting 45 grains of 3f in my 54 smoothie. I can drill out the ten ring all day at 25 yds. Accurate enough for me!

 

[MacTavish]

I normally use 3F in all of my rifles, pistols and smoothbore. I have developed loads using 2F in for my .50 cal rilfe and the 20 gauge smoothbore just in case I've forgotten or used all of the FFF and can only get FF.
I don't use massive charges while competing so I'm not worried about the pressure of 3F in the smoothbore that has a heavier than normal barrel and the 3F burns cleaner than 2F which reduces the residue.

 

[Rebel]

Well, sounds like it works for you. Be ok for targets, but a bit light for hunting anything other than small game.

 

[robertdeans72]

Thanks to everybody.... I put about 35 rounds through my Baker using 60 gr FFFG and there was no noticable difference between that and the 70gr FFG I usually use. I used FFFFG for priming for the first time though and that sure did!! Fast ignition, a good, satisfying recoil and hiting desert plates at 100m. I'm sure I can get that down with more practice....
Thanks, Rob.