who shoots 54 Cal with 3F ?

[olskool]

i have always used 2F in 54 and above. but I see a lot of fellers who shoots 3F in 54? and how much? i know every rifle is different and you just have to try combos, but is it basically as accurate or more accurate as 2F? just curious, i might give it a try,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[gabedard]

I’ve shot it in .54 just used 20% less than 2F.....with good results.
Glenn

 

[GANGGREEN]

I do. I've always shot a load of FFFg in my .54, although I have experimented some with FFg. I tried FFg again last week and was mostly satisfied with the groups, but thought my FFFg groups were better, so I shot again today with FFFg. My recollection was right, my .54 likes FFFg better.

 

[Homesteader]

I pretty much use 3F in everything I shoot, just reducing the volume by about 10%. There was a vigorous debate about the 2f / 3f over certain gauges / calibers on this forum years ago. I honestly believe everyone was right. I've tried it all, and as far as I could tell it all worked. As with everything in this pursuit I recommend test, test, and test, and then decide. My conclusion was that the answer is yes, 2F and 3F are both the powders to use.

 

[rdlowe]

I do. I use 3f for everything except my muskets. I find it takes longer for gunk to accumulate around touch holes, nipples and drums when I use 3f than when I use 2f.

 

[olskool]

I do. I've always shot a load of FFFg in my .54, although I have experimented some with FFg. I tried FFg again last week and was mostly satisfied with the groups, but thought my FFFg groups were better, so I shot again today with FFFg. My recollection was right, my .54 likes FFFg better.View attachment 36802

View attachment 36803

great group! what was the distance that was shot at? and what brand of powder?

 

[Grimord]

I use 3f in most of my guns for target loads, and any loads under 85 grains. Over 85 grains, I use 2f. All of my hunting loads are 2f.

 

[GANGGREEN]

I'd like to say that group was shot at 100 yards, but it was only 25 yards. I followed it up with a group at 50 yards that dropped 1-1.5" and which was still probably a 1-1.25" group. That was 85 grains of Goex, a .020 pre-lubed patch and a .530 roundball.

great group! what was the distance that was shot at? and what brand of powder?

 

[olskool]

I'd like to say that group was shot at 100 yards, but it was only 25 yards. I followed it up with a group at 50 yards that dropped 1-1.5" and which was still probably a 1-1.25" group. That was 85 grains of Goex, a .020 pre-lubed patch and a .530 roundball.

LOL i know what you mean, any group i shoot like that i wish it was 100yds. I have found goex ol eynsford hard to beat,,,,,,,,,,

 

[olskool]

I do. I've always shot a load of FFFg in my .54, although I have experimented some with FFg. I tried FFg again last week and was mostly satisfied with the groups, but thought my FFFg groups were better, so I shot again today with FFFg. My recollection was right, my .54 likes FFFg better.View attachment 36802

View attachment 36803

tell us about that beautiful rifle,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[GANGGREEN]

I actually received a PM about the rifle as well. It was built by Rick Larnerd of Gobbler Knob Custom Longrifles for me in 2008. Always been a good shooter and if I'm not mistaken, there may be several photos of me with deer and fall turkeys photographed with the rifle in past hunts on Rick's website.

tell us about that beautiful rifle,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[smo]

I shoot 70 grns of fffg in my .54

 

[S.Kenton]

I shoot 3f exclusively in my rifles and Fowler. I also prime with 3f.

 

[ADK Bigfoot]

I have shot 3F in calibers from .32 to 62; 36, 40, 45, 50, 54, 58 and 62 rifles and smoothbores. I have, but rarely use, 2F. I had a 12 ga. double that I shot 2F in, but only because I had it.

My current load in my .54 Southern Mountain Rifle is 85 grs 3F, 530 RB, .018 lubed patch.

ADK Bigfoot

 

[Cruzatte]

i have always used 2F in 54 and above. but I see a lot of fellers who shoots 3F in 54? and how much? i know every rifle is different and you just have to try combos, but is it basically as accurate or more accurate as 2F? just curious, i might give it a try,,,,,,,,,,,

I do. 70 gr 3fg, .530 ball, .012" patch, dry lube with Stumpkiller's Moose Juice. Reason: this load seems to leave less fouling behind.

 

[AZbpBurner]

For best accuracy in all my 1:48" .54 flint barrels I use 72 Grains 3F, .018" patch with castor oil dry lube formula and .535" RB. When using a .533 Lee Minie, I prefer to use 80 Gr. 2F, or 72 gr 3F as available.

 

[1853enfield]

I use whatever i happen to have on hand. I was once given a can of 1F it worked well in my 12 ga shotgun but left more fouling. 3F just seems to work it whatever gun i am shooting, seems a bit better accuracy with it. I was priming my flint gun with 3f until i got a pound of 4F it really gets things going a bit faster. Strange i have heard about all the mis fires with flintlocks but i have never had a problem.. not to say i have never had one just very seldom and then it is mostly after i have shot quite a few rounds without cleaning. i love the smell of black powder in the morning ( and all day long ) joe.g

 

[tenngun]

70 3f with .527 and .15 patch lard lube 100 yards. I never shot but 3f in the .54s I’ve owned.
Met to have a five shot group, just lost track, and fetched my target one shot early.
Kept it because I think it’s the best I ever shot, about thirty years ago. I’ve not owned a .54 since 2008.

 

[Art Caputo]

When I first started shooting more then 40 years ago, it seemed to be the conventional wisdom(recommendation in the case of my first couple of rifles) to use 2F in calibers greater then .50. Over time, I shifted to the use of 3F in all my flintlocks(40-.62 cal.) Can’t recall a case where the optimum group size and velocity, was’t at least equal to 2F....using a lower volume of powder. I like the option of priming 3F from my horn when hunting.

 

[jager43478]

i have always used 2F in 54 and above. but I see a lot of fellers who shoots 3F in 54? and how much? i know every rifle is different and you just have to try combos, but is it basically as accurate or more accurate as 2F? just curious, i might give it a try,,,,,,,,,,,

There is a difference. If you shoot 2f say at 50gr. and go to 3f at 50grs the 3f will give u more velocity opposed to 2f. The 3f at 50 gr. will be an equivalent will of 55 gr using your powder measure. If you have a good scale measure 50 gr of 2f and weigh it then measure 2f a measure it. The 3f will weigh more. That's what I have found.