Which powder

[Stykbow]

Hello everyone. New member here with a simple question for you. I’ve been shooting ML’s of various types for years, but have never tried real black powder. Now I’m thinking I might give it a go, so with a 50 cal. rifle should I be thinking 3f for powder?

 

[B P Maniac Shooter]

Hello everyone. New member here with a simple question for you. I’ve been shooting ML’s of various types for years, but have never tried real black powder. Now I’m thinking I might give it a go, so with a 50 cal. rifle should I be thinking 3f for powder?

Yes...3F is the most widely used grade of powder in 50 caliber guns. You will love shooting it.

 

[Stykbow]

Thanks for the reply. I’ve always shot Pyrodex since I could lay my hands on it locally. I’ve read that black powder burns cleaner, or maybe just cleans up easier, than substitutes. Has that been your experience?

 

[oldwood]

Turn in 56" twist ,or more . 80 gr. FFFG , try .015 patch lubed w/whatever you like , (keep it civil guys) , should shoot very well....

 

[excess650]

Real blackpowder ignites at a lower temperature, has indefinite shelf life, and is less corrosive than Pyrodex.

 

[Stykbow]

If I remember correctly I’ve got a 1:60 twist so round ball shooting is my goal. This is a new rifle that I have coming my way. When I started shooting ML’s 30 years ago I was shooting conical in a CVA Hawken. Moved on to in lines for a long time, but I got bored with feeling like a sniper killing deer at a couple hundred yards using a scope. I like a challenge so I’ve bought a new traditional ML hoping to make it fun again.

 

[Sidney Smith]

The old school of thought was 2fg in guns 50 and above, 3fg in guns below .50 cal. These days that doesn't seem to be the case anymore, as most guys use 3fg in just about everything.

I still use 2fg in my .54 calibers and my smoothbore, and 3fg in my . 32. It does seem to have faster ignition plus 3fg can be used in the pan as well.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

The old school of thought was 2fg in guns 50 and above, 3fg in guns below .50 cal.

Yep, that's what I was told, and 25 years ago or so, I took a minor survey of 4 different companies offering a half-stocked rifle..., and they all differed as to what was the cutoff caliber for 3Fg. .45, .50, .54, and even .58. So I started just using 3Fg in all my stuff except my 20 gauge and larger shotguns.

LD

 

[deermanok]

I have 45 and 50 caliber rifles and pistols. 3f in all.
There are several brands of black powder out there.
I think that Swiss is probably the best imo. Shuetzen, Old Ensyford, and Goex are also good.

 

[Stykbow]

I’ll most likely go with Goex OE. Seems to be moderately priced and more available than Swiss. From what I’ve read the performance is roughly the same between the two. Being new to the real thing I doubt I’d know the difference anyway.

 

[deermanok]

Old Ensyford is a good choice.
I kinda toggle back and forth between it and the Swiss.
I think it's pretty comparable.

 

[Sidney Smith]

I've only ever used Goex. It works, and that's good enough for me. Plus that's about all one finds around here anyway.

 

[Stykbow]

I've only ever used Goex. It works, and that's good enough for me. Plus that's about all one finds around here anyway.

I’d be perfectly happy with regular Goex; I think. Again, having never tried any of it I doubt I’d know the difference.

 

[Stykbow]

Here’s another question for you guys. Assuming a reasonable load is used, how many shots you reckon a man can get out of 1lbs. of black powder?

 

[tenngun]

I like GO but happy with a lot. I got some elephant that I mix in 1-3 with go and it shoots well.
consistancy is the key. Your load of Swiss will be a little different then GO, but a load of two a little different then three.
pyrodex is a little hotter thenGO so you may have to load five grains by volume heavier to get the same preformance.

 

[bigstick6017555]

I’d be perfectly happy with regular Goex; I think. Again, having never tried any of it I doubt I’d know the difference.

7000 grains to a pound

 

[TFoley]

Thanks for the reply. I’ve always shot Pyrodex since I could lay my hands on it locally. I’ve read that black powder burns cleaner, or maybe just cleans up easier, than substitutes. Has that been your experience?

Yup. You have to remember that until about forty years ago, black powder had been THE main propellant since sometime around the 1200s....if it didn't work, well, things would have all been very different.

 

[user 49399]

7000 grains per pound divided by 70 grains per shot equals 100 shots. 50 grains per shot equals 140 shots.

 

[dave951]

There are two main manufactures of black powder who sell in the US. Goex is domestic and for our purpose, they make two types "red can" regular and Old Eynsford. Then there's Schutzen and they have a regular grade and Swiss. Old E and Swiss are geared mainly to competition shooters. I shoot both of those. When you're looking for accuracy, you'll have to test what works best and ignore price.

 

[user 49399]

Percussion caps are usually 100 per tin. Flints can get you 3 to 30 shots each depending on the flint and how you maintain it.