Sifting BP?

[Nor Cal Mikie]

Had an old can of FFF (Goex) that had "lots" of dust in it. Thought about sifting it to get the fines.The only part left is in my powder measure so it will be gone before long. :wink: It's at least 15 years old.
Also a old can of FF BP "ICI" (Made in Great Britan). That "ICI"stuff is "real clean"! Poured it across a piece of paper and no dust. Real clean!! I would guess it would burn cleaner??
It's old because the price tag is $5.49!
Got new Goex and havn't checked it but it's been said that the QC might be better and it should be cleaner.
Question? Havn't tried it and don't plan to but was thinking. Can FFFF be used as a charge?
I know the charge would really have be reduced.Anybody ever try it?

 

[bwhoffman]

Mike,
I wuldnt go there! (dont do it)
4F burns faster, has a higher pressure curve.
I would stay on the safe side and charge with 3 or 2f depending on my gun. sometimes old powder and dust/fines just needs to be destroyed or scattered on the lawn.

fwiw, I'm shooting up some 3f I acquired in a trade, goex, and its been around awhile. I noticed it had a lot of fines and my .40 wasnt shooting like it normally did. alot of fines, wasgiving me more powder by volume due to less air space, proportionate to the particle size.

 

[Nor Cal Mikie]

Thanks brett. If need be, you can smack me for even thinking of it! :grin:
Got to ask the question to get a answer!
I promise I won't ask it again. :wink:

 

[Nor Cal Mikie]

I'am gunna give this "Made in Great Britan" BP a try today and see if there's any difference. At least a cleaner burn. :thumbsup:

 

[paulvallandigham]

4Fg powder should be used for PRIMING POWDER ONLY! On most cans of GOEX, the company puts that warning on the outside of the can, or used to do so. Priming means you put it in the flashpan of a flintlock. If you are shooting percussion, find a flintlock shooter to trade your 4Fg to for whatever you are feeding your gun. ( Hopefully 3Fg).

DO NOT USE 4Fg powder for a powder charge in the barrel.

 

[Nor Cal Mikie]

I have just enough 4 F to get out a few dry balls but don't plan to use it as a basic charge.
That was "just a question".
We went all day without any dry balls! :grin:
I have not had a dry ball "yet" and if I concentrate on what I'am doing I won't have one!
I really do appreciate you folks input.
And thanks Paul for the note. Very interesting.

Tried the "British" powder today but couldn't tell any difference. It was a lot cleaner when loading but I still had to scrub after a few rounds. Ended up with a tight spot about 2/3 rds. down the barrel. Wasn't there before so it took some extra work to get past that but any time at the range is time well spent so it was a good day.
Actually a "super" day. Good shooting, good friends, beautiful weather, couldn't ask for more! :thumbsup:

 

[fw707]

I have not had a dry ball "yet" and if I concentrate on what I'am doing I won't have one!

yeah---right! :haha: :haha:

 

[paulvallandigham]

I am with you, Fred. Those are the most famous " Last words " of every ML rifle shooter I know. :rotf:

 

[Old Sarge]

Don't scatter it on the lawn! Did that once and had a dead spot over a year. :nono:

 

[bwhoffman]

Don't scatter it on the lawn! Did that once and had a dead spot over a year. :nono:

Okay, I will amend my ill-advised thoughts.....

...you can spread it out on the GRAVEL DRIVEWAY and wipe out the pineapple weeds!


thanks for the straight and narrow! :thumbsup:

 

[bart_anastasi]

I have not had a dry ball "yet" and if I concentrate on what I'am doing I won't have one!

Keep thinking that way and you start doing it twice in a row.

The voice of experiance

 

[MikeHM]

I got a bang out of that, as someday you wont. :rotf: