FFFg versus FFFFg

[Carl Fowler III]

Haven't been at this long enough to find out thru experience, but did hear 3f was better than 4f when priming pan in humid conditions...would this be true?

 

[ebiggs1]

No!

 

[Loyalist Dave]

I was told the opposite..., the more surface area of the powder in the 4Fg, the faster it absorbs moisture, say on a foggy or misty day. Never tested it myself; just was told that.

LD

 

[Stubert]

I was under the impression that 4f is not coated in grafite, making it easier to light. The coated powders would be less apt to absorb moisture.

 

[sleeperNY]

All I know is that I have been using 4f only beginning in the late 70's in all kinds of weather and unless I get water directly on it I have never had a problem with it. This is just my experience. I don't plan to change and also carrying 4f in a separate charger has never posed any problems.

Jim

 

[BrownBear]

Our terrain is wetter than wet, but I don't notice a huge difference until after the first shot is fired. Somehow it just seems to be harder to clean and dry the pan and frizzen enough to keep the 4f from turning to goop when priming for a subsequent shot. It's not a bed of roses with 3f either, but more do-able for some reason. No science behind that and I've never heard anyone else say the same thing.

Multiple shots? All that probably isn't an issue if you're a one-shot deer hunter. But I do a lot of small game shooting with a dozen shots a day not unusual.

One more point- I like using 3f for prime (or even 2f in larger cals) because I don't have to carry a separate horn or charger for priming. That's a convenience point, but again an issue when you're doing lots of shooting in a long day.

 

[Rifleman1776]

As yer cousin, BB :wink: , indicated, it is not the powder that draws moisture. It is the burnt gunk left behind after the first shot. I keep patches or rags handy to wipe the pan when flint shooting in wet/humid weather. Without wiping you get a pan of mud very quickly. One of the joys of flintlocking and a good reason why we love it. :youcrazy:

 

[larry wv]

3f works better for me in wet weather. I agree with BB.. Larry

 

[Walks with fire]

I carry a small spray bottle of denatured alcohol to clean the lock and barrel after I shoot. Clean,dry and fouling free; everytime.

 

[floyd1350]

i have used both and it doesn't seem to matter. now i just use 3f cause that's what i shoot with.