load question

[tenngun]

4f shouldn't be loaded in your Patriot
pan charging and small caliber pistols only

Ask Brismoothie

 

[cynthialee]

Ask Brismoothie

yeah but he is smart
we say yes you can use it and some idiot is going to load a full charge of 4f and when bad stuff happens, blame us

 

[shorthair]

What do you recommend for my rifle? I have the 2F pyrodex powder for rifles... I was thinking 60 grains. Why do you use FFFG, isn't that more for pistols?

Personally I use fffg because it ignites more readily in cold damp weather conditions which is normal for my hunting conditions. I have little use for a gun that doesn't reliably go boom when asked.

 

[shorthair]

yeah but he is smart
we say yes you can use it and some idiot is going to load a full charge of 4f and when bad stuff happens, blame us

And far more current experience than most of us, plus he seems to be a pretty good guy.

 

[Jappo]

I was looking for information as to what size ball and patch for a 45 caliber. Seen this post, OP posted a .440 ball and .001 patch. Would that be correct?

 

[wiscoaster]

I was looking for information as to what size ball and patch for a 45 caliber. Seen this post, OP posted a .440 ball and .001 patch. Would that be correct?

Might have been a typo. Probably meant 0.010 for the patch. Using a 0.440 ball I'd think you'd need a thicker patch to engage the rifling. But depends on the rifle. I use a 0.445 ball and a 0.010 patch for my .45 cal rifle.

 

[Grenadier1758]

I would really want a bit more information on @Jappo's rifle before I start making recommendations for ball and patch.

I do recommend using a digital Vernier caliper to measure the land-to-land diameter of the barrel and the groove to groove diameter. Use the difference of the groove diameter and the land-to-land diameter and divide by 2 to get a start on patch thickness. Knowing the land to land dimension, subtract 0.010 for a reasonable to start ball and a patch slightly thicker than the starting diameter calculated above. Use a smaller ball and thicker patch for an easier to start ball and patch. Patch lubricant to start can be spit or for the more fastidious a mix of water and liquid dish soap.

We need specific measurements. Anything else is pure speculation and may not be of any help.