|
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 26,524
Campfire Ranger
|
OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 26,524 |
My FFg supply is low, and I won't be able to make it to the Synagogue of Holy Black anytime soon. But a small House of Worship carries FFFg.
Anyone have any words of advice on using FFFg for PRB's in a 54?
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,227
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,227 |
I use it all the time. It's about 5-10% more powerful, so adjust for the same load, or enjoy more fps with the same load as your 2F. It also ignites a little easier, and has less fouling.
Money can't buy you happiness, but it can buy you a hunting license and that's pretty close.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 26,524
Campfire Ranger
|
OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 26,524 |
Got to keep it slow.
My Kodiak is regulated like a DGR, so I have a narrow window between "kill stuff" and "too fast causes excess spread" - if I want to use one rear sight.
I've got it set right now where 85gr FFg gives me a 5" spread at 100 yards. Got the sights set in between. What's 2.5" between friends, right?
Damn gun crosses at about 25 yards.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,227
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,227 |
In that case you'll have to play with the 3F powder to get it accurate. Start with 10gr less, and see how it does.
Money can't buy you happiness, but it can buy you a hunting license and that's pretty close.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 26,524
Campfire Ranger
|
OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 26,524 |
Thanks, MH.
If nothing else, knocking 20gr off the combined charge will reduce the overall loaded weight.
(that's a joke)
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 185
Campfire Member
|
Campfire Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 185 |
Thanks, MH.
If nothing else, knocking 20gr off the combined charge will reduce the overall loaded weight.
(that's a joke) And a good one too. With those doubles, every little bit helps.
My wife says I'm totally nuts, but I think I'm Semisane.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 32,044
Campfire 'Bwana
|
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 32,044 |
I use nothing but T7 3F in my 54 cal Lyman Great Plains Rifle and patched RB. I use 80 gr with Hornady Ball
A Doe walks out of the woods today and says, that is the last time I'm going to do that for Two Bucks.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 22,276
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 22,276 |
running 90gr of Swiss FFFg under a PRB in my .54. It shoots pretty decent, considering the bore has some pitting. A young boar fell to it earlier this year.
"...the designer of the .270 Ingwe cartridge!..."
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,404
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,404 |
I use 3f in my .54s and also use it for a primer in my flinters. As mentioned, drop the charge a bit compared to 2f.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 5,499
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 5,499 |
I run 3F in a custom .54 with a PRB all the time. 80 grains works great and chrono's in the 1590's.
There is no way to coexist no matter how many bumper stickers there are on Subaru bumpers!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,624
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,624 |
. in my 54 i have never used anything but 3F . in my 62 i tried 2F but settled back on 3F. about the only place i use 2F is in my 12 gage paper loads
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 4,080
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 4,080 |
I use 3F in my 20 ga. smoothbore.
Qtip Soli Deo Gloria!
"It's not a matter of legislating morality; it's a question of whose morality gets legislated"
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,032
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,032 |
We talkin Goex, Swiss? I use 70 g Goex 3F in 2 T/C .54's behind a PRB and get great results. I've all but quit using 2F Goex, although 2F swiss is good stuff.
Uber Demanding Rifle Aficionado
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,227
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,227 |
We talkin Goex, Swiss? I use 70 g Goex 3F in 2 T/C .54's behind a PRB and get great results. I've all but quit using 2F Goex, although 2F swiss is good stuff. 2F Swiss is almost 3F. Sort of 2 1/2F They measure the kernels different over there.
Money can't buy you happiness, but it can buy you a hunting license and that's pretty close.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 26,524
Campfire Ranger
|
OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 26,524 |
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,555 Likes: 1
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,555 Likes: 1 |
FWIW, I've got an old CVA St. Louis Hawken .50 I've had since I was 16. For years the load was 85grn. FFF, Ox-Yoke Patch, Speer .490 ball. I always figured 85 of FFF would give more speed than 90grn. FF, plus, it would never shoot worth a hoot with FF and Ox-Yoke patches, which I used for years. Bout two years ago I ran out of Ox-Yoke patches, so I bought some pillow ticking and smeared bore butter on them. I tried FF again and it shot as well as FFF. Then, I broke out the Chrony, the FF (90grn) load ran 1800fps. The FFF (85grn) load only ran 1700fps. Not that 100fps is a big deal, but it did fly in the face of what I had assumed to be true for the better part of 25 years. It also taught me that the patch do make a difference!
Last edited by Potsy; 10/29/13.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 26,524
Campfire Ranger
|
OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 26,524 |
It also taught me that the patch do make a difference! No doubt. I was using some "leftover from previous owner" .012" patches that by the numbers should fill to the lands nicely, i.e the barrel measured .532/.542 - with the .012 patch, and a .530 round ball, I should be .012" over diameter once loaded. Tried some .024 denim patches, and it closed my regulation by 2" at 50 yards. A lot more consistent as well. Go figure.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,227
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,227 |
FWIW, I've got an old CVA St. Louis Hawken .50 I've had since I was 16. For years the load was 85grn. FFF, Ox-Yoke Patch, Speer .490 ball. I always figured 85 of FFF would give more speed than 90grn. FF, plus, it would never shoot worth a hoot with FF and Ox-Yoke patches, which I used for years. Bout two years ago I ran out of Ox-Yoke patches, so I bought some pillow ticking and smeared bore butter on them. I tried FF again and it shot as well as FFF. Then, I broke out the Chrony, the FF (90grn) load ran 1800fps. The FFF (85grn) load only ran 1700fps. Not that 100fps is a big deal, but it did fly in the face of what I had assumed to be true for the better part of 25 years. It also taught me that the patch do make a difference! Makes no sense. Read this. http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/228706
Money can't buy you happiness, but it can buy you a hunting license and that's pretty close.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,555 Likes: 1
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,555 Likes: 1 |
Interesting.
It did put me to thinking about variables at the time.
First, I've never used an overpowder wad.
Second, I'd be curious if there's such a thing as a slow lot of FFF and a fast lot of FF. It can happen with smokeless, and I'm sure it was an older can of FFF and a newer can of FF I had that day. Recipe change? Difference in ingredients?
Further, I didn't run long strings, I ran two rounds each and went on. Admittedly, not a great statistical cross section. I didn't write down exact speeds (I gotta take better range notes) though I do remember there was right on 100fps between loads with the FF being the faster @ right on 1800fps. Those were the results from that particular day. How do I remember them? Cause I'm still shooting FF! Remember, I was shooting 5 grains MORE FF than FFF.
Maybe I (or my chrony) was mistaken. Maybe I need to do more testing. Maybe being as how either load will put three in under and inch (often in one hole) @ 50 yards, I'm not gonna worry too much at either speed.
I will say I've meant to test it further. But I hate chronographing. I'd much rather shoot at targets and have had very little luck (like Herb) lining out both at the same time.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,227
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,227 |
Herb is really into the details. I've never seen him post a short message.
Money can't buy you happiness, but it can buy you a hunting license and that's pretty close.
|
|
|
|
495 members (10gaugeman, 12344mag, 1badf350, 10gaugemag, 160user, 06hunter59, 45 invisible),
2,695
guests, and
1,187
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
Forums81
Topics1,194,787
Posts18,536,312
Members74,041
|
Most Online11,491 Jul 7th, 2023
|
|
|
|