Is FFFFg good for anything?
- Thread starter awaveritt
- Start date
Rifleman1776
New member
It is primarily a pan primer for flintlocks.
However, it is successfully used in C&B revolvers.
But, personally, I would use only in better quality C&B revolvers. Some of the older El Cheapos are not always made with quality materials and the increased pressure might exceed what they can tolerate.
As far as age is concerned, if kept dry it will still be good centuries from now.
However, it is successfully used in C&B revolvers.
But, personally, I would use only in better quality C&B revolvers. Some of the older El Cheapos are not always made with quality materials and the increased pressure might exceed what they can tolerate.
As far as age is concerned, if kept dry it will still be good centuries from now.
Jim Watson
New member
I have heard of people doing black powder only duplexing with some fine-grained powder under the main charge of medium or coarse. Sounds like a lot of work for what you get... if anything.
duelist1954
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I always use it in .31 caliber C&B revolvers.
bedbugbilly
New member
I use it for priming my flintlocks . . . a pound of it lasts a looooong time! 
As stated by duelist . . . a lot of folks us it in the 31 cal. pocket pistols like the Wells Fargo Model, '49 Pocket, Pocket Remington, etc.
As stated by duelist . . . a lot of folks us it in the 31 cal. pocket pistols like the Wells Fargo Model, '49 Pocket, Pocket Remington, etc.
I use it as a main charge for my muzzleloading derringer pistol. You use less powder so there is more barrel available to accerlerate the ball.
I use it sometimes in my ROA if I want maximum velocity with a round ball. I haven't chronographed it yet but Lyman claims 1036 fps with a 41 grain charge of Goex FFFFg. A 40 grain charge of FFFg only results in 917 fps.
I use Swiss NullB for priming flintlocks now. There used to be some Goex 7f going around but I haven't seen any for sale lately.
I use it sometimes in my ROA if I want maximum velocity with a round ball. I haven't chronographed it yet but Lyman claims 1036 fps with a 41 grain charge of Goex FFFFg. A 40 grain charge of FFFg only results in 917 fps.
I use Swiss NullB for priming flintlocks now. There used to be some Goex 7f going around but I haven't seen any for sale lately.
Priming, especially matchlocks and wheelocks. I would NOT load pistols with it over a .22. Remember that velocity is exponential in the calculation for a bullet's energy.
Energy = (Mass/2) * (Velocity*Velocity)
A little velocity? That means alot more energy. That's pressure. That could be dangerous well beyond what looks like a small change in velocity.
Energy = (Mass/2) * (Velocity*Velocity)
A little velocity? That means alot more energy. That's pressure. That could be dangerous well beyond what looks like a small change in velocity.
freedom475
New member
I use 4f in my 44 Remingon 1858 with round balls for deer hunting. 25gr of 4f gives me 930fps...that is still slower than Pyrodex P but quite a bit faster than 3f which only yields 780fps. You can sure hear a difference in the muzzle report if you shoot it a lot.
I researched the use of 4f a lot and I even went over the testing data with a ballistics tech... his pressure testing did always show an increase in pressure but there was never any danger until the powder column reached +3" in length...When the powder column reaches 3 inches in length, bad things happen with 4ffff.
I researched the use of 4f a lot and I even went over the testing data with a ballistics tech... his pressure testing did always show an increase in pressure but there was never any danger until the powder column reached +3" in length...When the powder column reaches 3 inches in length, bad things happen with 4ffff.
Lyman did some pressure testing using a modified cap and ball revolver. 37 grains of powder 3f and 4f resulted in 7,420 and 7,940 LUP using Goex powders.
C&H 4f actually produced lower pressure than Goex 3f, 6820 LUP.
Looking at these pressures and considering the fact that a Ruger Old Army is essentially a Super Blackhawk converted to a cap and ball revolver, I'm not worried about it blowing up with 4f.
It's just the next smaller granulation of black powder, not dynamite.
C&H 4f actually produced lower pressure than Goex 3f, 6820 LUP.
Looking at these pressures and considering the fact that a Ruger Old Army is essentially a Super Blackhawk converted to a cap and ball revolver, I'm not worried about it blowing up with 4f.
It's just the next smaller granulation of black powder, not dynamite.
Depending on the revolver, you usually can get more powder in a .36. For something like a baby dragoon in .31 the ffffg is supposed to give you a bit more power/velocity than fffg in such a small chamber. At least that's the theory. I don't have much use for ffffg. I use fffg in the flash pan and barrel of my flintlock rifle. I'm sure there's a difference in lock time, but I sure don't notice it.
robhof
I've used it in my ROA on many occasions, after originally running out of 3f at the range and having a priming horn of 4f, I tried it and it worked fine. I have used it many times since and also use it in my 31 Wells Fargo. The only difference besides a little more pressure is using more powder to fill the same space as the 3f.
I've used it in my ROA on many occasions, after originally running out of 3f at the range and having a priming horn of 4f, I tried it and it worked fine. I have used it many times since and also use it in my 31 Wells Fargo. The only difference besides a little more pressure is using more powder to fill the same space as the 3f.