FFg and small bore

[newtewsmoke]

So I'm in the process of making the conversion to .45 and smaller(I have my reasons), all I have is FF and I've got a several yr supply, somebody please tell me they've had good results running the stuff (FF)thru the smaller cal(s). Yeah I know each rifle likes what it likes, im mostly reading it's FFF only for these. We'll see I guess or maybe I'll be wanting to do some trading....

 

[rafterob]

Until you are able to transition to 3f you will be just fine using 2f.

 

[rafterob]

I should have said you will need to work up a load using the 2f and you may have to swab a little more often.

 

[deerstalkert]

get a wooden rolling pin and make some ffg into fffg. or just shoot the ffg like rafterbob stated.

 

[Flintlock]

I've never used anything but FFG in my .45 and have had fantastic luck with it. Superb ignition and accuracy. I wouldn't hesitate to use it in smaller calibers than that. Funny how folk have been shooting muzzleloaders for a long time before all this FFG-FFFG confusion.

 

[deerstalkert]

it seems like many people think ffg and fffg etc are different formulated powder. one and the same. only difference is the speed of combustion because of surface area of the granules.
even sifting ffg will deliver a good amount of fffg.

 

[cynthialee]

just like when we reduce 5-10% on the charge when going to a finer powder, you just increase your charge 5-10% when using the next step up coarser powder (as always volume, not weight)

your rifle will shot just fine with said powder, just need to find it's load like always

 

[Bassdog1]

I have shot quite a bit of 2F through my 32s without any problem at all. I have been fortunate enough to be given quite a bit of older Goex 2F and Have had no problems from 32 up to 54 Cal.

 

[ohio ramrod]

I know people who prefer FFG in 40 calibers so you should do fine in a forty five. My target rifle (42 inch, 45 caliber) shoots equally well with FF or FFF Forty five grain FF, or forty grain FFF.

 

[Togo]

I use 2f in everything to include my 45 Patriot at matches.

 

[akroguy]

2F black is all I have and it goes bang in everything. Now, if you're dealing with one of the cursed patent breech guns, it could be slightly more prone to bridging (not making it into the patent breech chamber). I experience this all-too-often in my Pedersoli .50 flint Kentucky. It just doesn't fall in there every time. I have to smack the gun a few times and probe with a vent pick to make sure I'm feeling powder granules through the vent. It still fires fine and I see no issues with fouling buildup. De-breeching this barrel and milling out that chamber is on my someday when I'm really bored list of things to do.

 

[Grenadier1758]

The obvious problem as @akroguy states, is the tendency for the larger grained powder to bridge at the entry to the chambered breech. With the proper attention to the fouling at the breech, the use of 2fg powder will work fine. There may be some advantage to 2fg in a longer barrel as the powder will burn a little longer as the ball travels along the barrel. Load development is important for any grade of powder that you use.

 

[newtewsmoke]

I know people who prefer FFG in 40 calibers so you should do fine in a forty five. My target rifle (42 inch, 45 caliber) shoots equally well with FF or FFF Forty five grain FF, or forty grain FFF.

How's it work for priming a FL?

 

[stikshooter]

So I'm in the process of making the conversion to .45 and smaller(I have my reasons), all I have is FF and I've got a several yr supply, somebody please tell me they've had good results running the stuff (FF)thru the smaller cal(s). Yeah I know each rifle likes what it likes, im mostly reading it's FFF only for these. We'll see I guess or maybe I'll be wanting to do some trading....

Shoot what you have ,folks have been known to use it in the pan ! Back in the day that's what the common folk did .

 

[Robby]

Back when powder was plentiful and cheap I zeroed all my guns, .32 on up, with both ff and fff, cuz ya never know.
Both work fine in all calibers.
Robby

 

[Tenring]

If I can find the Target to post I will show you how FF BP performs out of a .36 cal . You will have no problems, I think there is to much over expanded mental energy when it comes to grain size. Like others have said shoot what you got. Shoot On…

 

[Flintlock]

How's it work for priming a FL?

Very well, I stopped using FFFFG years ago.

 

[45man]

FFG will work fine. I have a lot of Swiss that I tried and even with a reduction I got a red shoulder. WOW how different then Goex.

 

[spottedhorse]

run what ya brung!
It's all good!
especially if it's what ya got and its what you make work for you!

 

[ibud38]

2F black is all I have and it goes bang in everything. Now, if you're dealing with one of the cursed patent breech guns, it could be slightly more prone to bridging (not making it into the patent breech chamber). I experience this all-too-often in my Pedersoli .50 flint Kentucky. It just doesn't fall in there every time. I have to smack the gun a few times and probe with a vent pick to make sure I'm feeling powder granules through the vent. It still fires fine and I see no issues with fouling buildup. De-breeching this barrel and milling out that chamber is on my someday when I'm really bored list of things to do.

I have a 'Volunteer' with the patent breach. I dump about 8gr. of 4fg into the chamber using a drop tube then the 80gr main charge of either 3fg or 2fg on top of that.
My nipple has a .027" orifice. It fires like a center fire cartridge rifle.