Powder question:

[1shot]

Hi guys, I have a T/C Hawken flinter in .54 coming and I'm getting ready for her..

However I'm reading on different forums of people using "3f" to both prime and charge!
I went on the Goex website and it says the .54 must only use 2f...

Anyone else on here using 3f in .54, also as the priming?
Cheers!

1Shot

 

[bingo1952]

I personally use 2F in my .54 Jaeger flinter and 4F to prime it. 3F straight across the board will work; however breech pressures will be slightly higher and ignition a few milliseconds slower. When at the range I use a spit patch and have no problems with fouling. I fired a match yesterday without having to clean the bore. That being said if a greasy/waxy lube is your selected patch lube the 3F will burn just a tad cleaner than the 2F will. My advice is getting a can of each and try them both. Guns are individuals and yours may prefer one to the other.

 

[fiddler]

I use 3F for both in my .50. The 3f leaves a little less fouling and it's one less thing to worry about. Your mileage may vary.

 

[Bearbait2]

Mr. 1shot,
We use 3F for prime and charge in our .54 and .62cal. Simply adjust the powder charge accordingly. No problems for us and seems to work a little bit better in the pan in wet weather, than 4F.
Best Wishes

 

[Semisane]

I use nothing but FFFg GOEX in my .54 Great Plains flinter for both priming and the main charge.

 

[MSW]

.54 is an interesting caliber in that you're in sort of a 'grey zone.' over .54 and i'd say go with 2F, and for .50 and below, 3F is your best bet. longwinded way of saying i agree with runnball- try it and see what this particular rifle likes best. i've primed with 3F with do discernable difference- but i never tried priming with 2F.

make good smoke!

 

[texcl]

I use 3f for everything from .32 to .62, with no problems.

 

[1shot]

Some great responses, thanks to you all..
Looks like a resounding yes to 3f, I will just back off the charge by 10 grains for safe pressure.
I'll order some of that and see how she lights up!

Apprieciated guys, Cheers!

 

[Hawkeye]

Rather than backing the charge down 10 grains from some random number, why not start at about 1 grain per caliber. ie 55 grains in the .54, then increase in five grain incriments and let the rifle tell you what it wants.

 

[renovato]

I use FFFG in all of my .54 rifles but one (Investarm Hawken. It prefers FFG and I haven't been able to find a FFFG load combo that works nearly as well. It seems that most rifles prefer FFFG but some don't. Try both granulations if you can, and see which work better in your gun. I'd be willing to bet that the FFFG will be your choice too. Best part is that it burns a bit cleaner so you have less fouling to deal with.

I also use it to prime. I'm not a highly experienced flintlock shooter, but it works just as well as the FFFFG that I was using. No sense having to buy another granulation if you can avoid it.

 

[Many Klatch]

My .54 likes either 55 or 75 grains of 3F and I use 3F for the pan. I don't like messing with two powder horns. I shoot a .526 ball with a .015 patching.

I find that the 55 grains at 25 yards prints in the same spot as 75 grains does so I don't waste the extra powder when shooting up close.

BTW, in my Brown Bess I shoot 2 F and prime with 2F. It still goes off faster than my reflexes can react.

Many Klatch

 

[blackpowder shooter]

I use 3F in all rifles.(.36 thru .54) You should use less 3F than 2f. I use 2f in all my shotguns.