Conducted experiments this morning using 4F as main charges for target/plinking loads in my .58cal Flintlock, .015" patch, Remington .570's.
30grns 4F was actually unuseable, sounded like an air gun...PHFFFTTTTT-BLOOP...even had one instance where the ball did not exit the barrel;
40grns 4F was very useable, mild, the rifle sounded like a rifle, but no recoil / rifle movement;
50grns 4F acted like a real powder charge, had a good report to it, got a little recoil and rifle movement;
(10.5lb rifle)
Had to plug the vent with a pipe cleaner each time to prevent the fine powder from blowing out the vent when seating the ball, but it's a good way to use up that left over can of Elephant 4F I had and save a can of good Goex in the process.....more importantly I got some real first hand knowledge about using 4F powder as main powder charges, at least those amounts in the big bore of a .58cal...40/50grns is an excellent plinking charge.
Will try the remaining 4F in a smaller caliber next...smaller bore volume as far as pressure goes, but at the same time a smaller/lighter ball...so I'll step up through the same increments of 30/40/50grns and see how it comes along.
30grns 4F was actually unuseable, sounded like an air gun...PHFFFTTTTT-BLOOP...even had one instance where the ball did not exit the barrel;
40grns 4F was very useable, mild, the rifle sounded like a rifle, but no recoil / rifle movement;
50grns 4F acted like a real powder charge, had a good report to it, got a little recoil and rifle movement;
(10.5lb rifle)
Had to plug the vent with a pipe cleaner each time to prevent the fine powder from blowing out the vent when seating the ball, but it's a good way to use up that left over can of Elephant 4F I had and save a can of good Goex in the process.....more importantly I got some real first hand knowledge about using 4F powder as main powder charges, at least those amounts in the big bore of a .58cal...40/50grns is an excellent plinking charge.
Will try the remaining 4F in a smaller caliber next...smaller bore volume as far as pressure goes, but at the same time a smaller/lighter ball...so I'll step up through the same increments of 30/40/50grns and see how it comes along.