How much powder???

[duckfish5]

Hello. I'm new here and this is my first post. I must say this is a great forum!!! I live in Southwestern Indiana and our deer season opens next weekend. I am getting out my Thompson Center Renegade to take into the field after it sitting in my closet for the last few years. The problem I have is that I forget how much powder to use. I am shooting a 54 cal. PRB with black powder. I was just wondering what everyone else uses or recommends for a 54 cal. Also, I was at the gun shop today to get some more black powder and the gunsmith told me that he does not carry it anymore because there is not a large demand for it anymore with all of the newer powders and the inlines. He also said that he never liked to stock it because it was unstable? He said I should think about switching to a newer type powder. What are your thoughts on this? I like all of the smoke that blackpowder makes :grin: but might be willing to give that up is there is something better and safer. Thanks in advance, duckfish5........

 

[roundball]

Here's one set of reference info:

I've used Pyrodex RS in various TC Hawken caplocks over the years with good results...however, after switching to Flintlocks and Goex, I converted everything to Goex as it was faster, cleaner, and more accurate for me than Pyrodex RS.

TC Owner's manual for the .54cal PRB shows a range of 2F charges from 60-120grns...they feature Goex 2F and Pyrodex RS in their manual...and I used 120grns Pyrodex RS in my .54 caplock.

When switching to Goex, I liked 3F as it was a little faster and the industry rule of thumb when using a 3F powder is to use the same 2F load data charts, BUT, to REDUCE the 2F charge by 10-15% to allow for the faster pressure spike.

In my .54cal Flintlock, I use 90grns Goex 3F.
(a 25% reduction from the 120grn 2F charge listed)

90grns Goex 3F
Oxyoke wonderwad
.018" pillow ticking
Hornady (or Speer) .530

:thumbsup:

 

[Stumpkiller]

He said I should think about switching to a newer type powder.

I think you should try switching to a old fashioned gunsmith. :grin:

Blackpowder is not unstable. It is explosive. Unless exposed to heat and/or fire it is safe to handle. In a sealed can, it will stay blackpowder for decades and be just fine.

I use 90 gr FFg in my .54 Renegade, and am finding my new flinter seems to like 92 to 94 gr. FFg.

Modern powders are no better, they are just different. If you want modern powder and performance get a 6.8 Remington bolt-action or semi-auto.

Since 1976 I've never used anything but blackpowder in my muzzleloaders and, as long as[url] www.powderinc.com[/url] or other distributor delivers to my door I won't switch. I shoot muzzleloaders BECAUSE they are old-fashioned and historic.

 

[duckfish5]

Thanks for the info guys. I have some FFF powder from years ago and I think that I was using 90 grains before. Does this sound ok in your opinion? Thanks, duckfish5.....

 

[Headhunter]

Iffin it were me, I would get a pound of 2F and 3F and head to the range with plenty of bullets and patches and work up a load. Find what shoots. THen hunt with that.

Headhunter