The g in ffg

[Buffalo Man]

I know this has been asked a number of times before. What does the g stand for in black powder labels such as ffg? Do the factories coat powder with an anti-static coating and coat them to resist moisture?

 

[Dibbuk]

I think it stands for Grain. Fine Grain, Fine-Fine Grain, Fine-Fine-Fine Grain, etc. But I may be wrong.

 

[user 36911]

The F means grain size.

The G means sporting grade powder. Meant to be used in firearms. The A grade would be for blasting.

 

[Tom A Hawk]

"F" = Fine
"G" = Granulation

 

[user 36911]

"F" = Fine
"G" = Granulation

Wrong.

http://firearmshistory.blogspot.com/2016/07/black-powder-iv-powder-grain-sizes.html

 

[Tom A Hawk]

Wrong.

http://firearmshistory.blogspot.com/2016/07/black-powder-iv-powder-grain-sizes.html

Perhaps you should read your reference more closely.

"Now on to the mystery behind the letter 'F'. The letter 'F' stands for "Fine" and dates back to the time when the grains were designated F or C (for "coarse" grains). The number of times the letter F occurs in the powder grade shows the average size of the powder grains. The more times the letter F occurs in the name, the smaller the grains. What this means is that the size of "FFFg" grains are smaller than "FFg" grains, and "FFFFg" is even smaller than these two. When black powder is manufactured, the grains are sorted through sieves of standard sizes and classified that way."

 

[user 36911]

Perhaps you should read your reference more closely.

"Now on to the mystery behind the letter 'F'. The letter 'F' stands for "Fine" and dates back to the time when the grains were designated F or C (for "coarse" grains). The number of times the letter F occurs in the powder grade shows the average size of the powder grains. The more times the letter F occurs in the name, the smaller the grains. What this means is that the size of "FFFg" grains are smaller than "FFg" grains, and "FFFFg" is even smaller than these two. When black powder is manufactured, the grains are sorted through sieves of standard sizes and classified that way."

I said nothing about the F. I'm sure everybody knows it means grain size. It's the G that I disagree with you. You might mean the same as what I said but that's pretty hard to tell by your description of granulation.

 

[Henry Miles]

I thought the g stood for graphite...

 

[user 36911]

I thought the g stood for graphite...

Indirectly it does because a lot of sporting powder does use it. However, the G really means grade.

 

[russellshaffer]

I found this:


The last letter of the black powder name indicates the grade of powder. Usually, for firearms applications, this last letter is always 'g'. But this is not the only grade of powder: there are two grades in use:

1. "A" or "blasting grade" powder - the preferred powder of choice for fireworks manufacture.
2. "g" or "sporting grade" powder - preferred for firearms use.

The primary difference between the 'A' and 'g' grades is in the manufacturing process. Both are manufactured in the same way initially, but at the end, the 'g' grade powders are polished in a tumbler with a tiny amount of graphite, to polish the grains and make them flow easily. The 'A' grade powders are not usually tumbled, and if they are tumbled, it is just for a short amount of time to remove any sharp edges. For purchasing the A-grade powder, the user will need to have a BATFE (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) license and a BATFE-legal magazine to store the powder. Usually that is why it is not commonly seen in sporting goods stores and such. The g-grade is not subject to the same restrictions and is therefore available in gun stores and online shops (only need a BATFE license if purchasing more than 50 lbs. of g-grade powder).

 

[Zonie]

I think the "g" indicates powders that have been "glazed" or polished.

Bill Knight (Mad Monk), one of the most knowledgeable people in the world when it comes to black powder wrote the following describing some of the processes used in making black powder. Grained powder has gone thru the crushing process and is ready for the screening process.

"Graphite is added to the powder, dusted on, to increase screening rates.
After the corned powder is tray dried it must be “polished” in the glazing barrels. As the
edges of the powder grains are rounded by the tumbling action of the polishing barrel it
will create powder dust. The same is true when surfaces of the grains are smoothed and
compacted by friction between the grains rubbing together under considerable pressure.
In essence, the grain polishing process may create a considerable amount of dust in the
powder. If this dust and debris is not removed from the powder prior to packing the
finished powder will be dusty and dirty."

"Freshly grained (or corned) powder grains have rough surfaces and sharp edges. Unglazed powder has limited use in fireworks applications. For most applications a glazed powder is desired. The purpose of polishing powder, or glazing, is to round sharp edges of the grains and to polish the grains' surfaces smooth.
During the polishing process the surfaces of the grains are compacted and hardened. Polished powder will not shed dust as easily as unpolished powder during shipping and handling."

Powders with the "g" suffix have had both of these processes done to them.

 

[user 36911]

I exchanged many emails with Bill (Monk). You get him talking about powder and he'll flood you with literature.

 

[russellshaffer]

It's a complicated process and they are fooling with explosive components. No wonder there have been explosions.

 

[deerstalkert]

not complicated, and no explosive components. only after combining the components does it become explosive.
i for some reason thought discussing making Holy Black was verboten here? i haven't bought Black powder in 45 years.

 

[kansas_volunteer]

In fact, the G stands for gooder than pyrodex. Honest to gosh truth.

 

[BruceHH]

The G stands for Graphite coated powder as Zonie describes above.

 

[toot]

what does the GRAFITE in the powder do?

 

[toot]

and does all BP. have graphite it in it?

 

[Walkingeagle]

I believe it’s an anti-static coating.
Walk

 

[deerstalkert]

the graphite helps flow ability and stabilizes the grains so they won't crumble into dust as much. the latter is why many use dextrin in their mix also. i don't as i feel it adds to fouling.
i used to think it slowed the burn rate but after growing back eyebrows from testing in open air piles i am still not sure. i do think open air flashing of powder gives false impressions of its burn rate when in a compressed/encased condition. some of mine goes phfffff when in open conditions. as a charge in a barrel the same amount makes the shot crack the sound barrier. whole new dimension of muzzle loading. for me at least. with current shortages as they are, i am not bothered at all.