Ball/patch tightness

I even use FFFg in a 12 gauge shotgun. I don't need to use as much powder that way which means less fouling and recoil and it patterns great.
 
Some labels say that it is safe, up to and including .50 cal. I know a group of Buckskinners that use FFFG, in their .54's
Click to expand...

I used to be a member of a bp forum that went under but some of those guys were using 3F in .58 rifles and .69 smooth bores.
 
For my TC Hawken I use pillow ticking and I don’t care the thickness as long as it’s tight.
The only lube I use is anything I have on hand like Windex or some other liquid cleaner. I wet down the rag and put it into a sealed plastic bag. Cheep and works well.
 
Ozzieman said:
The only lube I use is anything I have on hand like Windex or some other liquid cleaner.
Click to expand...

You see a lot of Windex on the firing line at a lot of matches, especially the bench rest shooters who use it to clean the bore between shots. Murphy's Oil Soap is also popular amongst muzzleloaders.
 
I haven't tried it yet but I have heard that original formula Go-Jo white hand cleaner makes a good patch lube.
I have tried Go-Jo as a lube for muzzle loading shotgun wads and it works pretty good.
 
Regarding proper powder granulation....

A good rule of thumb is 3fg < .50 cal > 2fg.

But I've shot 3f in my .54 with no problems. You just need less of it or enjoy a stiffer kick.
 
I have yet to see anyone use baby powder where I shoot.

FFFg or FFg, it's not just caliber, it's also the bullet's sectional density. For example, a patched round ball in .45 probably will work best with FFFg but a 500 grain bullet in a .45-70 will likely call for FFg or Goex "cartridge" which is close to FFg as far as I can tell.
Also the power of the load makes a difference. Someone shooting a .50 might use FFFg for the light target loads but go to FFg for the heavy hunting loads.
 
okey, how about barrel length? Usually just a technical question, because most barrells are short, for bp. The slower burning FF would push longer, so you don't have friction slowing down a free traveling ball. ????
 
mustanger said:
okey, how about barrel length? Usually just a technical question, because most barrells are short, for bp. The slower burning FF would push longer, so you don't have friction slowing down a free traveling ball. ????
Click to expand...

Yes, pistols work best with 3f, regardless of caliber. I even use 4f as a main charge in my .45 caliber derringer with a 3 inch barrel. 10 grains of 4f seems to shoot harder than any charge of 3f. In fact, there is a point where putting more 3f in the gun gives lower velocities because the powder charge uses up more of the barrel leaving less barrel available to accelerate the ball.
 
Thanks BLE, I haven't really been sure of what and how much to use in my Philidelphia Derrenger.
And thanks Beagle, I'm on my way to that site now.
 
That's what I have, a Philadelphia Derringer. I know you are not supposed to use 4fg as a main charge but it's only 10 grains, besides, lots of people unscrew the nipple and dribble in a few grains of 4f to blow out a dry loaded ball.
In this short barreled pistol, less is definately more. It will stand 30 grain loads but you can actually see the seated ball near the end of the muzzle and you get BB gun velocities. Anything over 15 grains is mostly a waste of powder in this gun.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top