FFF OR FF?

[Swampman]

It's almost impossible to blow up a modern black powder weapon using one round ball as a projectile.

There is no need for any powder other than 3f, except maybe cannons and 3f will work in them.

A smooth bored weapon will sometimes pattern better with 3f but a rifled weapon can be made to as well with 3f as 2f. Then you don't have to fumble around with, and waste money on a priming horn and 4f powder.

 

[Norseman]

I forgot to mention above that the barrel will be a Green Mountain straight octagon 42"X 7/8th (.50) with a 1/70 inch twist.

 

[riarcher]

There is no need for any powder other than 3f, except maybe cannons and 3f will work in them.
quote]

Now I need to strongly dissagree with you on that comment. There are as many times that 2Fg is called for as there are for 3Fg.
Unless of course you're simply refering to making a gun go "Bang" and a ball go "thump" somewheres?
But if that is your meaning, then there's no need for anything but 4Fg. :bull:

 

[Landngroove]

It's almost impossible to blow up a modern black powder weapon using one round ball as a projectile.

What kind of advice is this for someone who is just starting to shoot muzzleloaders?

 

[roundball]

It's almost impossible to blow up a modern black powder weapon using one round ball as a projectile.

What kind of advice is this for someone who is just starting to shoot muzzleloaders?

I wouldn't call it advice at all...it sounds like an irresponsible, dangerous old wive's tale from a source with no credentials or certification to make such a claim.

Norseman, you'd do well to ignore comments such as that one...it's akin to saying you don't have to pay attention to all safe gun handling practices all the time, just some of them some of the time...
:shake:

 

[Old Charlie]

I bought a few pounds of 2f for my shotgun. I tried every combination I could come up with. I just could not get it to pattern. I changed to 3f and now have it shooting OK. The 2f is also way dirtier.
Old Charlie

 

[akapennypincher]

It's almost impossible to blow up a modern black powder weapon using one round ball as a projectile.

As I VOLUNTEER as a Safety Officer @ a Public Shooting Range I say Nothing is IMPOSSIBLE, and I have seen some DOOZEES

Like the Guy who show up with n Italian Reproduction .44 Colt, that was stamped on the GUN “For Black Powder Only”

It was his first trip to the range after getting the Pistol as a Gift, he went to the Local Gun shop, asked for some PISTOL POWDER, and they sold him SMOKELESS.

We caught him as he was getting ready to load his new pistol....Told him he almost had a life Experience, and he let with his Range fee Refunded in Search of Black Powder?






Funny but SAD after the fact.... Like I said he asked the Clerk for Pistol Powder and got Pistol Powder.....:rotf:

 

[Norseman]

Hi Roundball. I have benn shooting muzzleloaders for about 20 years now, so I am really not a new comer to muzzleoading, just a new comer to using the flint and thinner barrels (ie the 7/8th in .50). In a few months will have a new rifle in the 42 X 7/8 in .50 1-70 twist as mentioned above, and and I am just getting a feel for the max charge in it. Like I mentioned originally, I have been using my Great Plains Rifle by Lyman for the past 12 years or so in .54 (My deer gun) using round balls. Lyman's recommendations for example for MAX load is 80 Grns of FFF and 100 Grns of FF. The barrel in 15/16 inch diameter of course. Anyway I am sitting back and checking on this post and enjoy all of the inputs! A lot of great advice and comraderie. Have no fear, I don't intend to hunt or shoot with a pipe bomb! But thanks for your conscern! :haha:

 

[Java Man]

Norseman,

Quite a few years ago, I had a flinter with the same bbl. I used 50gr FFFg for 25 and 50 yd 70gr for 100yd target shooting. For a hunting load I used 90gr FFg. All with .495rb's. Shot one deer with that load at just about 100yds. Did the trick nicely.

Gregg

 

[sse]

Thanks...That is the brand I was thinking of.

Regards, sse

 

[bangdust]

I shoot 50cal Lyman Deerstalker (short barrel) Skilled shooter recommended FF claimed it is more consistant. Recommmendation is 90 gr. maximumby Lyman. I only use 70 gr. and feel that killing power to seventy five yards is most adequate. In PA where I hunt open sights are required and old eyes demand a limit of 75 yards on whitetail anyway.

 

[Swampman]

I gotta wonder about you guys???? :rotf:

 

[riarcher]

I gotta wonder about you guys???? :rotf:

:hmm:

 

[paulvallandigham]

Old Charley: If you weren't using a chronograph, while you tested loads, and various combinations of wads, you were wasting your time. FFg works great in shotguns, but you have to seal the bore with a good card wad to get the proper burn and pressure to produce the required velocity. I have tested both FFg and FFFg powder in my 12 ga, and the only difference between the two when I used proper card wads, was I had to reduce the load of FFFg to get the same velocity, and avoid donuting the pattern. I have since begun to cut my cushion wads in half, and that seems to take care of the problem regardless of the powder charge. But, if I use the same volume of FFFg as I use FFg, the patterns are worse!