FFg for both pistol and rifle?

K

Kappe

New member
I know there's a reason they make different granulations of powder, and that I should probably stick to FFFg for pistols and small-bore rifles and FFg for big-bores like .50 cal and up.

But I like to simplify things as much as I can. I've read that using FFFg in larger calibers meant for FFg will cause increased pressures.
Is there any danger to using FFg in my .36 cal 1851 Navy?

I don't care about performance. I'm not going to get hole-in-hole accuracy with a percussion handgun anyway. What I want to know if it's safe. Thanks.
 
No danger that I can think of using FFg in a pistol - but I go the other way and use FFFg in both for my typical PRB shooting, at 50-60grs in a .50 cal pressure isn't going to be an issue. Seems to burn a little cleaner for me. I still use FFg when shooting heavy loads or minies/conicals.
 
I mostly use FFG in my revolvers.

I'm not going to get hole-in-hole accuracy with a percussion handgun anyway.

I'm not going to get hole-in-hole accuracy with a percussion handgun anyway.
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That would be your fault, not the gun.
 
15 shots at 25 yds

SmallS.jpg
 
It would be safe, but I don't think you are necessarily doing yourself a favor by doing so. I use fff for 50 cal. all the time and I don't think within any sane loading you are going to increase pressure enough to be a problem. 3f just seems to burn cleaner for me and I think a little quicker burn in a handgun might be a little more desirable.
 
I standardized on fffg for everything I shoot, when I'm shooting real BP that is. 10 gauge sxs, T/C Hawken .50, .44 revolvers and singles, flintlock fowler (even in the flash pan). Never any problems.
 
That's everything I need to know and more. Thanks everybody.

I think I'll standardize on FFg after I polish off the FFFg I've got left.
That would be your fault, not the gun.
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My '51 Navy shoots at least 10" high and a bit to the right at 25 yards, which is normal, but not a precision target instrument no matter how you cut it.
Not that I'm trying to make it one. If it's my fault I can't bring myself to take a file to the rear sight, then let it be known.
 
I use FFF for everything.

FFF gives more bang for the same weight charge than FF, probably because the increased surface area of the finer grains. But FFF costs the same as FF. So you can use less powder for the same bang.

My '51 Navy shoots at least 10" high and a bit to the right at 25 yards, which is normal, but not a precision target instrument no matter how you cut it.
Not that I'm trying to make it one. If it's my fault I can't bring myself to take a file to the rear sight, then let it be known.
Click to expand...

While you can't do much about point of aim without fiddling with the sights, you will be amazed what you can do with group sizes by trying different loads. Obviously you don't want to fiddle with the sights until you have achieved the optimal group.

Steve
 
Here's my bone-stock 1858 Remington at 25 yards with 20 grains FFF and a naked round ball.

O3qsQR4h.jpg


Doesn't shoot where you point it yet but makes pretty good groups.

Steve
 
I own a Jonathon Browning Hawken (percussion), a Lancaster (flintlock) and a Colt Walker (percussion). FFF, FFF, FFF under the ball and where applicable in the pan as well. Works reliably -- goes bang!! I'm not going to change.

.02

David :)
 
Save the FFFg for the navy-caliber pistols. Why "standardize," read "limit yourself." A lb. or two of 3F in small, short, guns goes a long way... FFg will have more waste, as in overbore, in a small pistol.

I DO recommend FFFFg in a pan. FFFg in small pistols if not narrow carbines, and FFg in at least over-50 caliber longarms.

Use the right stuff. How challenging is it really?
 
You're not telling me anything I didn't already know there.

I just like the simplicity of one powder. Evidently a few folks here use FFFg for everything. I'm going to give FFg a try in my Navy.
If it really doesn't work well, then I've got myself a can of FFg for my rifle. No big deal.
 
If you are going to simplify....do yourself a favor and use the 3fff for everything....way better in your pistol and will give more reliable ignition results in your rifles.

2ff will work perfectly fine but the 3fff will be better.
 
I use FFF for everything from .32 to .62. Even with my 900g .62 bullet. Have since I was five. I shot black powder competition for 13 years and black powder is my first choice for hunting. Never had an issue. Plus FFF is much cleaner burning.

Accuracy... its all you dude. If you do your part your gun will out shoot you.

My CVA .32 Wells Fargo revolver will shoot cloverleaf at 15 yards!

You must learn to load it exactly the same every time. Its the same as loading centerfire, consistency equals accuracy. And not just the powder charge. You want to seat the ball with the same amount of pressure each time.

I had an impromptu competition once against a Remington 700 n 7mm Mag. This was the first time I shot a muzzleloader over 350 yards. It took me some time to figure out the drop and windage, but I was able to match him out to eight hundred yards on a torso target with my .50 cal. Given my groups were larger than his, but still in the kill zone.

The biggest issue with black powder isn't accuracy, its trajectory. My .50 has about 30 feet! of drop at 800 yards.

I know I know no pictures so it didn't really happen. The truth is a picture of the target won't tell you whether a shot at 50 yards or a 1000. So whatever.

Boomer
 
I use 777 FFFG in everything from my .22 NAA revolver to my 12 Gauge Traditions break action shotgun. Use it in the .44 revlovers, the .50 inline, the .50 sidelock and the .54 sidelock. It works as long as you load properly for the gun.
As to one hole groups, why not? My '51s, '58s and ROA are great shooters. I can shoot them with great accuracy at ranges to 100+ feet. If I shot them more, I'm sure they would still be more accurate @ 100 yards than I can be. I have some FFg pyrodex, haven't tried it yet. The FFFg works fine. Powder is scarce, and can be very expensive around here. I make what I can get work.
 
Okay guys, you can disregard the hole-in-hole accuracy statement now. I can assure you the gun's feelings weren't hurt over it :rolleyes:
 
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