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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 20,494
Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 20,494 |
Anybody use 4fg for the main charge in a 50 traditions? I shoot paper mostly with 0.490 patched round balls. My supply of ffg is being used up. I normally use the 4f for priming. Can it be used in main charge to make a mild plinking type load?
Appreciate the help.
"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." (Prov 4:23) Brother Keith
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 14,048 Likes: 1
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Apr 2013
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I wouldn't. find some ffg or fffg. if you weren't across the medicine line i'd send you some. I bought 12lb's of clean shot years ago and have never used it. had many pounds of Holy Black that I am still using. I think the 4f would give you pressure problems up and down. erratic is the word I was grasping for. then again I could be all wet.
the consolidation of the states into one vast republic, sure to be aggressive abroad and despotic at home, will be the certain precursor of that ruin which has overwhelmed all those that have preceded. Robert E Lee ~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 20,494
Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 20,494 |
Thanks for the quick answer. I suspected that would be the case. I have 2 pounds of the stuff and I'll likely never use it all up for priming purposes. I do have some limited amount of 2fg, and a couple pounds of 3fg. I'll look around locally and see if I can gift it to someone or make a swap.
Thanks again.
"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." (Prov 4:23) Brother Keith
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Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 74
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 74 |
FFFG is an acceptable alternative to FFG in most rifles. In a 50 Cal I used it for awhile with great results, and in my experience dropping back the charge wt by 10 to 15 Grs gives about the same result when using a patched ball. It also burns a bit cleaner, which is always a plus. Leave that FFFFG for the priming pan, Deerstalker is spot on with potential pressure problems when FFFFG is used as the main charge.
Youthful enthusiasm is replaced by old age and treachery!
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 185
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 185 |
Does anyone have any actual pressure data for FFFg vs. FFFFg?
My wife says I'm totally nuts, but I think I'm Semisane.
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Joined: Jan 2001
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 9,100 |
For flintlock priming; order one pound of 4-f in a case of main charge powder. That translates to 24 cans of 2 or 3-f and one can of 4-f. You won't use more 4-f than that.
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." Edmund Burke 1795
"Give me liberty or give me death" Patrick Henry 1775
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Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 1,396
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 1,396 |
I shoot FFFg in .54 as it gives better ballistics and cleaner burn. Lyman did a test many years ago with a .54 rifle using FFFg and FFg as main charge. With patched round ball they found 70 grains of FFFg gave same ballistics as 90 grain of FFg. But I would not try FFFFg in a .50 cal.
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Joined: Sep 2014
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 21,899 Likes: 7 |
I heard all the rumors about not being able to blow up a muzzleloader, and when 15 year old me bought one, i tried most of them. (Never short loaded a ballm everyone said that would blow it up)
But, for some reason, I don't think i ever tried 4F as a charge. We usually use 3F in our 50s. In a pinch, it makes a pretty decent priming charge. (Which, I understand was pretty common in the flintlock era.)
Parents who say they have good kids..Usually don't!
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Joined: Jan 2007
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2007
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i fired a round that was 1/2 to 2/3 the way down due to bad fouling one time. it was weak and didnt go far. never again, could have been worse
Uber Demanding Rifle Aficionado
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Joined: Feb 2020
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2020
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i fired a round that was 1/2 to 2/3 the way down due to bad fouling one time. it was weak and didnt go far. never again, could have been worse That is why they make silent ball dischargers... I don't go to the range or hunting without one.
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 20,494
Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 20,494 |
Thanks for all the replies and information. I have always used FFFFg for priming the flinter, and I have used both FFg and FFFg for the main charge. Was just wondering, and now I don't wonder any more. Appreciate it.
"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." (Prov 4:23) Brother Keith
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