Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Muzzleloaders Muzzleloader Newby Questions

First I would like to thank everyone in advance for any replies. I have been wanting a muzzleloader for a long time and I finally acquired not one, but three of them. First, a CVA inline, second, a left handed CVA Hawken flintlock and lastly a Pedersoli Kentucky Rifle, percussion type, they are all 50 Cal. My question is, what types of powder do you prefer for the flintlocks and percussions? I have FFFFg (I know is for priming) and I have 2 lbs of FFFg. Is that ok to use in a 50 cal or would FFg be better? I am going to use Pyrodex pellets and sabots in the inline and round balls in the Pedersoli and CVA Hawken.

You are correct; FFFFG blackpowder is used for priming a flintlock. FFFG can also be used for priming but may give more misfires. In the flintlock, most people use FFG blackpowder as a propellant, but FFFG or even FG will also work. FFFG is normally used for handguns and smaller bore rifles but is safe to use in larger bores with normal charge weights. Personally I would stick with genuine blackpowder for the flintlock and not mess around trying to make anything else work.

Pyrodex pellets are convenient but not much more so than premeasured loose powder stored in charging vials. The pellets will give acceptable accuracy but if you are a nut on the subject, loose powder usually gives better accuracy and makes it possible to develop a good load. Pellets may give misfires in your Kentucky rifle but should work fine in your inline.

Blackpowder works just as well in an inline or sidelock percussion rifle as it does in a flintlock. Other good powders for an inline are Pyrodex FFG, 777 and Blackhorn 209 (but only in appropriate ignition systems using 209 primers).

If you want to buy one powder to use in your Kentucky rifle and your inline, 777 FFG would be an excellent choice.

3f will be great in all of those guns.

3f works well in all muzzleloaders.

Yes it does 3fg in all guns above

3f works with everything. I even use it for a priming charge in my flinters with no issues.
I do drop the charge a bit with 3f compared to 2f.

I agree. The 3F will work for everything. Including the prime for the flintlock.

Makes life simple for you.