First attempted using Schuetzen 3fg

[Tn poor boy]

....In my .32 flintlock smr.

I was invited to a post-Thanksgiving wood's walk which was to be 15 shots all from the pouch. While preparing my gear I found my horn to be empty which is usually filled with Goex 3fg. This past summer I bought a mixed case of powder and there was no Goex 3fg to be had so I went ahead and got Schuetzen instead. I thought it would be a good time to try it so into the horn it goes.

The load was 1 1/2 (.310") buckshot patched with bear oil lubed ticking (.022") ahead of 30 grains by volume 3fg Schuetzen and like I had previously mentioned that would have normally been Goex. I was priming with Swiss Null B. The first loading wasn't difficult at all and once started went down easy enough with the gun's rammer. First shot there was a slight hang. Next loading was a little harder and by the third shot I couldn't get the ball any further than about 8" ahead of the breech. I finally was able to tap it down using a big chunk of wood. Before my 4th shot I excused myself to retrieve my steel range rod from my truck and decided that I'd better wipe with a damp patch....Boy!.... all I can say was that it was nasty dirty. To make a long story short, I finished the walk and came to a few conclusions. The powder produced way more fowling than my usual Goex. Maybe this could have been remedied by wiping between shots but I just hate doing this when I've never had to do it before. Lastly, I had a distinct perception of a slight slow fire on most all my shots.

I'm not intending on making this a Schuetzen bashing thread because it's my first try at using it and maybe I just need to learn how to manage it. I'm just wondering if anyone else has experienced this and what if anything can be done to make it a little better.

Not trying to be smart butt But sounds like you should have clean goex out of your firearm before shooting. I dont have any problems shooting run a alcohol patch. Schuetzen powder

 

[Mike in FL]

I reckon old men get stuck in a rut and ignore anything that tends to steer them away from their beloved rut. I'm one of those. I have never NOT swabbed between shots unless the need for a second shot was immediate. Swabbing for me is one wet and two dry.

 

[new2bp]

I've shot nothing but Schutzen 3Fg thru my .54 and have had no issues, plenty of shots (20+) w/o swabbing. Shooting a mix of balls (.530 w/ a unknown but thinner than 0.015 patch) and maxis over 50 to 110gr of powder, using bore butter for lube (it was very liquid-y in the 90 degree heat and humidity).

Not really apples to bananas comparison since I'm running a much bigger bore, but there ya go

 

[Buckskinquin]

....In my .32 flintlock smr.

I was invited to a post-Thanksgiving wood's walk which was to be 15 shots all from the pouch. While preparing my gear I found my horn to be empty which is usually filled with Goex 3fg. This past summer I bought a mixed case of powder and there was no Goex 3fg to be had so I went ahead and got Schuetzen instead. I thought it would be a good time to try it so into the horn it goes.

The load was 1 1/2 (.310") buckshot patched with bear oil lubed ticking (.022") ahead of 30 grains by volume 3fg Schuetzen and like I had previously mentioned that would have normally been Goex. I was priming with Swiss Null B. The first loading wasn't difficult at all and once started went down easy enough with the gun's rammer. First shot there was a slight hang. Next loading was a little harder and by the third shot I couldn't get the ball any further than about 8" ahead of the breech. I finally was able to tap it down using a big chunk of wood. Before my 4th shot I excused myself to retrieve my steel range rod from my truck and decided that I'd better wipe with a damp patch....Boy!.... all I can say was that it was nasty dirty. To make a long story short, I finished the walk and came to a few conclusions. The powder produced way more fowling than my usual Goex. Maybe this could have been remedied by wiping between shots but I just hate doing this when I've never had to do it before. Lastly, I had a distinct perception of a slight slow fire on most all my shots.

I'm not intending on making this a Schuetzen bashing thread because it's my first try at using it and maybe I just need to learn how to manage it. I'm just wondering if anyone else has experienced this and what if anything can be done to make it a little better.

I commented on Schuetzen powder earlier in this stream. I bought 10 lbs. recently when powder became scarce and went to the range soon after for a comparison to Goex and OE. Dirtier and less power per grain. 25-50 yds, not noticeable, but at 100 yds, 60 grains Goex and OE, 70 grains Schuetzen. Hard to believe the same company makes Swiss. I’ve begun seating my patched ball with a damp patch to remove any fouling in the barrel. I do not swab the empty barrel.

 

[smo]

I have always shot Goex in my bp guns.

However I did start shooting Swiss fffg in my .36 & .32.

It seemed too shoot cleaner than fffg Goex making reloading the small bores easier.

 

[Mike in FL]

So many conflicting reports about effectiveness and fouling between the two propellants. Maybe preconceived notions slant reported results.

 

[Mulebrain]

I scored a pound of it at a shoot, and ran it. I could not tell any difference in my .40, loads the same etc

Darn nice crow target