Swiss ffg, my new favorite!

[Ben Meyer]

I dont know why one prefers Swiss vs Goex. What I do know is, when I was working up loads for each, I tried MULTIPLE combinations of patch, lube, ball, powder and load, with each gun, and thats what grouped best.

My flintlock in a Dixie Gun Works TN Mtn Rifle, made in 1979 by Miroku in Japan. My Hawken is a 1985 Charles Daly made in Italy by Investarms. Maybe I should try some Japanese and Italian powders!

Your flintlock is closer to being a Jaeger or German made which is why Swiss works better, Hawken is American which is why Goex works better.
Tongue planted firmly in cheek!

 

[Curley 50 cal]

I have had good results with Goex ffg, but got more tar build up than I think I should in a .40 caliber flintlock. Tried some Swiss ffg today and liked the results. Started with a 30 grain (by volume) charge, 3 different ball types and 2 different patch lube ratios.

Almost 60 shots. Very consistent results, the .391 balls worked best this day at this range (25 yards). I know there are many shooters that can get clover leaf groups at 25 yards, I used to be one of them, eyes are not as good as they used to be!

View attachment 78986

I can definitely identify with “eyes not as good as they used to be”

 

[Osseon]

Everyone needs to keep in mind every rifle is different, with different loads, and more importantly everyone here is shooting from different climate and humidity, so your milage may vary on a lot of recommendations.

 

[Crow Choker]

I have had good results with Goex ffg, but got more tar build up than I think I should in a .40 caliber flintlock. Tried some Swiss ffg today and liked the results. Started with a 30 grain (by volume) charge, 3 different ball types and 2 different patch lube ratios.

Almost 60 shots. Very consistent results, the .391 balls worked best this day at this range (25 yards). I know there are many shooters that can get clover leaf groups at 25 yards, I used to be one of them, eyes are not as good as they used to be!

View attachment 78986

Everyone needs to keep in mind every rifle is different, with different loads, and more importantly everyone here is shooting from different climate and humidity, so your milage may vary on a lot of recommendations.

Brewberry--You post you're using a .391 ball. Is this what your mold is or is it a .390 mold that casts a .391 ball? Besides powder choice, have you ever tried .395 balls vs your .391 for what gives better results, ie. accuracy, less fouling, etc. I'm in the process of getting a Kibler Southern Mt. rifle in 40 caliber and have searched this forum and have asked the question of 40 caliber shooters. Some like/prefer .390, others .395. What 'Osseon' posted is right on. Have seen that in all types of black powder shooting firearms (percussion revolver/rifle, cartridge revolver/rifle) over the years in person and what I've read here and there.

Whenever I receive the Kibler kit and get it shooting, I want to try both .390 and .395" balls. Molds in these diameters are not real plentiful, although should be getting better as industry fires up and back orders are filled. I previously searched a multitude of online vendors, some I've previously done business with and others that I haven't and the Lee molds (which I prefer for my blackpowder casting, ie. cost and they are good quality IMO) are few and far between in not only .390/.395, but many other calibers and designs. I did score a .395 from Track of the Wolf several weeks ago. Had been on their back order list for some time, got the note of it being in stock, and ordered along with several books and a few other odds and ends I've been going to order. Have a .390 on back order with them and several other outfits I've done business with over the years. Will try both with different patch combos and see which one works the best. Might sell the one that takes 2nd place eventually.

In regards to powder brand and granulation, I've used Goex for years. When I first started in blackpowder shooting back in the early 70's, I used Metor which I believe came out of Scotland, but my source for that went out of business. Don't know if it is even still available, was good powder for my shooting 44 cap revolver and 45 T/C. I have used 3F Swiss several times for my percussion revolver and cartridge black powder shooting, also 45 caliber TC Hawken, but never saw that much advantage to justify the cost. Some long range cartridge rifle shooters I know shooting trapdoors and Sharp model rifles tell me they get better accuracy, less fowling with Swiss. Until my local and favorite gun shop ran out of Goex, his price for FF or FFF Goex couldn't be beat anyway--around $15 a pound. He has more Goex on order, but price yet to be seen how much.

 

[Bnewberry]

Brewberry--You post you're using a .391 ball. Is this what your mold is or is it a .390 mold that casts a .391 ball? Besides powder choice, have you ever tried .395 balls vs your .391 for what gives better results, ie. accuracy, less fouling, etc. I'm in the process of getting a Kibler Southern Mt. rifle in 40 caliber and have searched this forum and have asked the question of 40 caliber shooters. Some like/prefer .390, others .395. What 'Osseon' posted is right on. Have seen that in all types of black powder shooting firearms (percussion revolver/rifle, cartridge revolver/rifle) over the years in person and what I've read here and there.
<snip>

I have tried some .395 balls but didn’t get good consistency. I think the balls I got in this diameter may not be as well cast as the .391 (listed as .389 as I recall). I may try again with different patching.

I think you will like your Kibler, I have read a lot of good things about them. I am eagerly awaiting a fowler kit from them.

Your local shop has a very good price on Goex! I got very good accuracy with this powder and will continue to use it in situations where I can swab more or don’t anticipate lots of shots.

 

[Crow Choker]

OK, I get the drift, they were balls you bought. Hope to get a rifle going by this fall to 'bark' a few squirrels with. Have hunted them with my percussion 45 TC, went for head shots as body hits were to body tearing. Head shot resulted in decapitation's, maybe a ear or two still hanging on. Will still do head shots (or frontal body) with a 40 though.

I was paying $14 a pound for Goex FF/FFF until several years ago. The shop owner advised he was having to raise his price, had visions of $20 plus, until I asked and it went up $1.00----wasn't hard to take when I was reading at the time of others paying $20+, plus hazard shipping if ordered. I'm not destitute for black powder at this time, but I don't want to run out either.

 

[billraby]

I tried Swiss for the first time last week. I always get the Goex just because it is cheaper. But all that was available was Swiss so I gave it a try. I was using 400 grain powder charge in a 4 bore rifle. It works just fine. There was significantly more recoil with Swiss than with Goex.

 

[Timmit]

With that Kibler 40 you will still have to hit them in the head. If I don't hit them in the head with my Kibler 36 they get shot up sometimes more than a little.

 

[hanshi]

Tight prb combos tend to be more accurate than not so tight ones. Got to a thicker patch with the .390" ball.

 

[Historian]

I too prefer Swiss in 3Fg for my 19 ga Pedersoli's. However the next best thing and I mean next best thing is Goex Olde Eynsford. You should give it a try. It is not standard Goex but was made to compete with Swiss. I use 3Fg in it too. Great stuff.

 

[Crow Choker]

With that Kibler 40 you will still have to hit them in the head. If I don't hit them in the head with my Kibler 36 they get shot up sometimes more than a little.

Hear ya there. Figured on that. Was thinking of a 36 caliber, but decided on the 40 for a little heavier ball for longer distance shooting.

 

[bigted]

Guess I need to try Swiss someday, I have been shooting Ol Einsford since around 6 or 7 months after it came out.

In my 62 smoothie I can shoot for as long as I want to without swabbing but I contribute this to my patch lube.

For years I have been hearing about Swiss but till now have not tried any. Good to hear that its quality sounds like it is bearing up in the long run.