How much ffg vs. ffffg to order?

[SgtErv]

Another vote for going 3F for everything. When I first started I used a little priming horn with 4F but it seemed to complicate my loading procedure more than necessary. I really didn't notice a difference.

And, yes, Black Hand, the stores where I've purchased Goex definitely passed on that hazmat fee to the customer. One ends up paying for it either way I think.

 

[Tinker2]

local places usually charge far more for a pound. The $25-35 savings really isn't worth it unless you a just buying a pound or two. Online, the price per pound can be $10-15 less than when purchased at a brick-and-mortar store (if the store even carries blackpowder).

Yes it is the differents between wholesale and retail.

When we order it from a distributor it is the same price the brick-and-mortar stores pay.
It is the main reason the brick-and-mortar stores don’t carry it.



William Alexander

 

[Grenadier1758]

Brick and mortar stores don't like carrying black powder because of the federal storage requirements to be locked up and local regulations for limiting the quantity to have on hand.

 

[Billnpatti]

A common load for a .50 cal. rifle is around 80 grains. A pound of powder is 7,000 grains. So, if you don't spill too much powder when you are loading your rifle, you should get about 87 shots from a pound of powder. I recommend 3f since it burns more cleanly than 2f. You really don't need to buy any 4f because the 3f will work just fine in your pan. But, if you prefer to use 4f in your pan, most pan charges are in the range of about 5 grains. That means that neglecting spillage, a pound of 4f will give you 1,400 charges. So, if you are using 4f in your pan and 3f as your main charge, on average you will need 1 pound of 4f for every 16 pounds of 3f.

 

[Grenadier1758]

My loads are a bit lighter. With a pound of powder being 7000 grains and my load being an average of 70 grains fffg with a prime of 3 grains of 4f, my recommendation is one pound of 4f with 24 pounds of 3fg. By the time you get through the first 10 to 15 pounds of 3fg, you will be using 3fg for the prime too.

Mostly I use what is in the horn for prime. The exception is shooting at club matches where I prefer to prime with 4f.

 

[Billnpatti]

Yeah, those numbers are pretty slippery and will change depending on how much powder you use as your main charge and how much you put in your pan. But, as long as you know that a pound of powder has 7,000 grains in it, you can figure the ratio of 4f to 3f that you need. But, I agree that for most applications, all you need is 3f for both main charge and pan. The one exception that I have run into is when you are using a pan charger with one of those push spouts that delivers a set amount of powder to your pan. Mine won't work with 3f because the grains are too big to fit through the spout mechanism. I have to use either 4f or Null B in it. I have a pound of each so I use them in my pan most all of the time since those 2 pounds will last me the rest of my life.

 

[Tinker2]

Brick and mortar stores don't like carrying black powder because of the federal storage requirements to be locked up and local regulations for limiting the quantity to have on hand.

Brick and mortar stores don't like any of the federal requirements.



William Alexander

 

[faste350]

4f prime here. its no extra bother. where in PA are you?

 

[smrkdown]

4f prime here. its no extra bother. where in PA are you?

All good info. Thanks a lot.

I'm in central PA, about 45 minutes from Harrisburg.

 

[Claude Mathis]

4f prime here. its no extra bother.

Using 3f for everything, I load and prime from one horn. Having to use two containers for different powders is "extra bother" for me. :wink:

 

[coloradoclyde]

Muzzleloading is full of "extra bother"
Priming horns, patch knives, ball starters, loading blocks, speed loaders, etc..etc... :haha:

 

[Claude Mathis]

Muzzleloading is full of "extra bother"
Priming horns, patch knives, ball starters, loading blocks, speed loaders, etc..etc... :haha:

Not for some of us. :wink:

 

[Black Hand]

Muzzleloading is full of "extra bother"
Priming horns, patch knives, ball starters, loading blocks, speed loaders, etc..etc... :haha:

I don't use any of the items mentioned... :grin:

 

[Coot]

Muzzleloading is full of "extra bother"
Priming horns, patch knives, ball starters, loading blocks, speed loaders, etc..etc... :haha:

I don't use any of the items mentioned... :grin:

Nor do I. :grin:

 

[smrkdown]

One more question, do barrel length, twist, or projectile influence the granularity you choose?

Not sure what I'll be shooting, but it will be out of a Lyman Deerstalker .50 flintlock with 24" barrel and 1:48 twist.

 

[SDSmlf]

If Muzzleloading is full of "extra bother", why bother with muzzleloading at all? Doesn't sound like a hobby you would enjoy that much? I like the challenge of keeping it simple.

 

[PA16th]

I just received 10 lbs. from Powder Inc. Their prices go up 1/1/17.
1 can of 4f is all you would need for a long time. I use 4f for priming cause I still have a can, although I have tried 3f which worked just fine.

 

[SDSmlf]

And I agree with fffg for most everything. As others have stated, ffffg lasts a long time. If you must, order no more than one pound. My big debate is GOEX or Swiss, but that's a different question. Settled on fffg a long time ago for everything from 36 to 62 caliber, rifle and pistol. Main charge and prime.

 

[Claude Mathis]

If Muzzleloading is full of "extra bother", why bother with muzzleloading at all? Doesn't sound like a hobby you would enjoy that much?

I'm not trying to speak for Clyde, but I took his comment to be somewhat joking and facetious.

 

[coloradoclyde]

Kinda thought the smiling, winking and laughing smiley face imogis would have been a dead giveaway.... :rotf:

Been enjoying muzzleloading for almost half a century...