I'm doing some inventory of supplies. Here is my dumb question of the day. How many average pan primes can nearly 4# of FFFFg powder do? It's actually 3# 14.6 ounces net weight. My pan primer is a very small bag flask (a Philadelphia model) and I just dump what looks to be appropriate for my various flintlocks (45 to musket size). I'm ordering powder and not sure on ffffg needs. I will say not knowing this is 100% my fault as like I said I just disperse what 'looks good' and have no real clue as to how much in a technical sense.
FFFFg powder priming
- Thread starter NorthFork
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64Springer
75 Cal.
7,000 grains to a pound times four pounds is 28,000 grains of FFFF.
Lets say priming takes 5 grains.
28,000 divided by 5 equals 5,600 pan fulls of FFFF.
P.S. Let's not quibble over weight vs volume.
Lets say priming takes 5 grains.
28,000 divided by 5 equals 5,600 pan fulls of FFFF.
P.S. Let's not quibble over weight vs volume.
If you're as old as I am...
don't buy any more 4F
don't buy any more 4F
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I've had two pounds of 4F black powder for close to 20 years. Still have most of it left. I don't use 4F to prime the Brown Bess. I think @NorthFork has enough to last a while.
Archer 756
40 Cal.
I have 4 lbs. 4F for 30 years, what a waste of money I use 3F. 
Uncle Miltie
50 Cal.
9,129 primes if calculating 3 gr/prime.
It's only a waste of money if you don't use it. I accept donations!I have 4 lbs. 4F for 30 years, what a waste of money I use 3F.
Never used FFFFg for priming but I do use it for the main charge in my little screw pistol. @64Springer is right, you should get about 5600 shots assuming you use 5gr per shot.
Last year I bought my second pound of 4F. My first was bought in 1979.
I bought a pound of 4F to round out my last order, probably/most likely never see the bottom of the can in what's left of my life. I prime with it at the range in good weather but use 3f or even 2f for hunting or shooting in damp weather. Always good to have options in anything your doing.
4F is handy when you dry ball to trickle in the touch hole or drum of a cap gun.
4F is handy when you dry ball to trickle in the touch hole or drum of a cap gun.
I've had to do that once or twice.
TDM
Cannon
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I know I have 2 lbs of 4F and there could be a third. But the one that’s open never seems to run dry.
Started with my fist can in '75. Wow I sound like an old geezer...LOL! Must be cause I bought a second can a wile back , forgot about it and bought a third. Figuring I shoot mostly only with rocks now I still am good til I about 90.....
I do want to add that I share about 100gr or so with cap gun friends for them to pop out wet loads. A container in yr possibles is handy to have.....A few gr under the nipple will pop out a fouled load or dry ball pretty well. No need for them to spend on a pound...
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The priming device in my shot pouch is one of those "push" primers. It takes about three pushes , 20 gr. FFFFg , to deliver the amount I use.
Johnny Tremain
Silversmith in training
Dont know who uses a 5 grain pan charger, mine drops 1.5 grains, and thats 4666 primes for me per pound.
Fitzhugh Williams
40 Cal
I have been using 4f for about 25 years. i just started on my third can.
