ffg = fffg?
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Hawken50,
always use what shoots better. there is a rule of thumb that says 2ff for .50cal and above,and 3fff for cal. under .50. i have always used 3fff in all mine the main reason being its easier to get in my neighborhood. try both if you can and check your results.
snake-eyes :imo: :m2c: :results:
eace:
always use what shoots better. there is a rule of thumb that says 2ff for .50cal and above,and 3fff for cal. under .50. i have always used 3fff in all mine the main reason being its easier to get in my neighborhood. try both if you can and check your results.
snake-eyes :imo: :m2c: :results:
eace: Also, a load of FFFg will burn faster than an equal load of FFg with sharper recoil, and the normal rule of thimb is to reduce FFg load data by 10-15% if switching to FFFg.
For example, I used to use 110grns of Pyrodex RS (FFg) in my .50cal Hawken percussion for a hunting load, but when I switched to flintlocks I switched to Goex FFFg and settled on 90grns FFFg (19% reduction) for the same results...it's very fast, clean, and accurate
For example, I used to use 110grns of Pyrodex RS (FFg) in my .50cal Hawken percussion for a hunting load, but when I switched to flintlocks I switched to Goex FFFg and settled on 90grns FFFg (19% reduction) for the same results...it's very fast, clean, and accurate
If you are using 125 grains of 2F as a max load then a max load of 3F will be 100 grains, or 20% less.
Even so, there will be a good bit higher pressures with 100 grains of 3F.
If you have access to a chronograph check your "real" velocitys with both 125Gr. of 2F and 80Gr. of 3F. I bet you will find they are so close, along with less recoil and fouling, that you will go with 80Gr. of 3F.
Powder granulations are like fords and chevys. Some hate 3F and some hate 2F. Just do your own tests and make up your own mind.
But keep in mind that 125 grains of 3F and 125 Grains of 2F are not the same pressure wise.
Even so, there will be a good bit higher pressures with 100 grains of 3F.
If you have access to a chronograph check your "real" velocitys with both 125Gr. of 2F and 80Gr. of 3F. I bet you will find they are so close, along with less recoil and fouling, that you will go with 80Gr. of 3F.
Powder granulations are like fords and chevys. Some hate 3F and some hate 2F. Just do your own tests and make up your own mind.
But keep in mind that 125 grains of 3F and 125 Grains of 2F are not the same pressure wise.
Guest
I use 60gr of 3F in my 20gauge with a roundball. i find that it is much faster with a flintlock, it delivers great velocity and impact power, AND I don't have to carry a seperate powder horn as I can prime with 3F as well. But the 20% rule is absolutely right...use less 3f. In my personal experience the fact that it burns hotter and faster means that it also burns up almost completely, leaving less gunk.
We found a 6% difference between FFg and FFFg when using volumetric measures (on an earlier thread). A measure that holds 100 gr of FFg holds 106 gr of FFFg by weight. The smaller kernels pack in tighter with less air space. The powder has no chemical difference, just more surface area, and therefore a slightly faster burning rate, in the finer granulation rate.
I also did some measuring with three "calibrated" measures I own. They were all off 7 to 22(!)%. One slide measure, marked only "Italy", I have reads 90 and casts 110 gr of FFg, and 100 casts 122 gr! That is a significant error!
I also did some measuring with three "calibrated" measures I own. They were all off 7 to 22(!)%. One slide measure, marked only "Italy", I have reads 90 and casts 110 gr of FFg, and 100 casts 122 gr! That is a significant error!
Hawken50:You didn't mention the make or model of the weapon that Your shooting?? And what type of projectile.If it's round ball and the gun is in good shape the heavy 3fff loads probably wouldn't pose a problem.But! if Your useing a heavy conical,you may be pushing the preasures up considerble.Also if the rifleing is 1:48 or faster a patched round ball will most likely strip the rifleing,and Your accy. will be terrible.If for any reason the projectile were to be just slightly off the powder with the 3fff. The smaller grains coud cause detonation and do serious damage to the gun and you.I use 3fff in My .50s and .54 but not over 60 grains volume. eace: :thumbsup:
eace: :thumbsup:Actually, 1:48" barrels shoot round balls very accurately.
My full power hunting loads in .45/.50/.54cals are 90grns Goex FFFg (3F) and they are all extremely accurate.
I think the old wives tale about powerful loads in a 1:48" barrels being inaccurate has it's roots back in a particular imported 3 land/groove musket from the 50's/60' that gained a reputation for that as the grooves were very, very shallow.
American 1:48" barrels like TC and GM have no such problem at all and you can drive them as hard and fast as you want with excellent accuracy.
My hunting loads are:
90grns Goex FFFg (3F)
Oxyoke wonderwad
.018" TC prelubed pillow ticking
Hornady balls
My full power hunting loads in .45/.50/.54cals are 90grns Goex FFFg (3F) and they are all extremely accurate.
I think the old wives tale about powerful loads in a 1:48" barrels being inaccurate has it's roots back in a particular imported 3 land/groove musket from the 50's/60' that gained a reputation for that as the grooves were very, very shallow.
American 1:48" barrels like TC and GM have no such problem at all and you can drive them as hard and fast as you want with excellent accuracy.
My hunting loads are:
90grns Goex FFFg (3F)
Oxyoke wonderwad
.018" TC prelubed pillow ticking
Hornady balls
If He's shooting a T/C I wouldn't think the loads were a great danger,or a gun with a GM bbl.I may have misread the post, I thought He was talking 120 grains thats pretty stiff for some of the imports.I've tried My.54 Renegade with larger loads of 3fff and round ball,I've gone to a .535 ball and tight patch thinking it might help to lock the ball in the rifleing but it still lost accy.at65+ grains.The other potential culprit may be the QLA muzzle. :: :hmm: :thumbsup:
thanks for all your input. i am shooting a 50 cal t/c hawken. i'm not sure of the rifling or even how much is left. the gun is older than i am (25) but has been meticulously cared for. i was just using 125 as an example. my most accurate load with a patched round ball seems to be 70 grns of p, although i have shot 125 of rs just to see what it would do. is there any why to check the rifleing with out a borescope? thanks again
