FFF Equivalent Load to FF

[SingleFan]

I am running low on FF and have a full can of FFF.  Not trying to run 'er hot; I typically shoot 80 gr of FF underneath a 245Gr Powerbelt out of my RMC Accusporter.  (Have had good results on deer out to 90yds)
 
Does anyone know Goex powder well enough to recommend a FFF that would produce similar velocity/pressure?  Their website has very little data.

[Ranch13]

I cut 20 grs when going from 2 to 3f in the muzzleloaders.

[keith44]

You do not say, but I assume you are shooting a .50 cal.  The closest load I can find in my Lyman Black Powder Handbook & Loading Manual uses a Hornady Sabot load with a 240 grain projectile, fired from a 24" barrel with a 1:48 twist rate.


80 grains of Goex 2F produced 1,409 fps at a pressure of 7,800 psi. 70 grains of 3F produced 1,442 fps at a pressure of 7,900 psi.  So according to Lyman, in this case, about 10 to 15 grain reduction will put you real close.  Going to 60 grains of 3F drops velocity to 1,365 fps at a pressure of 6,800 psi.  Try all three reductions (10,15,and 20) and make sure your gun shoots to the same point of aim.  The energy difference is only 115 ftlbs.

[Glanceblamm]

I would have automatically said a 15% reduction using the triple F but I see that you are not pushing the pressure spike real hard.
 
If I were using your bullet (taboo on this forum) and considering the B.C numbers, weight, and the published trajectory, I would be using either 100 gr of FF or 85 gr of fff for the hunting loads.
 

Not trying to run 'er hot;

With that being said, I would start with the 10% reduction and the recoil is still going to be manageably and in spec. With your original loading working well for you, what I would really do is to buy another can of FF. I shoot 80 gr of the stuff myself but with the patched ball which has never let me down. In your case, you might as well heat things up a bit to utilize that slippery (as compared to the round ball) bullet as you can realize another 35 yards to 50 yards downrange, groups permitting of course.
 
I dont know anything about the RMC Accusporter and you may need to visit the suggested loads by the manufacture before using a healthy load of the triple...70 grains is looking good though to start out with.
 
 
 
 
 

[SingleFan]

Very helpful gents and much appreciated.  It is indeed .50 cal.  The RMC is a PA manufactured traditional smokepole...meaning its flashpan ignition; not an inline and not percussion.
 
I was a bit surprised to see the projected velocity with 80 gr of FF at only 1400 fps.  I've made shots out to 90 yds with that rifle with very little hold over the vital zone; sited in for 50 yds.
 
I may try a little hotter load with the 3F, but I like the way the gun shoots and accuracy is really superb.  The RMC (not even sure they are in business) I have has a match grade barrel and excellent lock.  Very consistent ignition.

[Landngroove]

As long as you are using FFFG, as a main charge, try it in the pan. I find it works O.K. Think about it, our forefathers who used flintlocks, did they carry two different powders?

[Ranch13]

In the early 80's I was doing some living history stuff with the NPS. They of course were buried in government regulation about firearms, powder etc. So they did issue us 1f powder, and that's it. It was an eye opener as to how well a few of those government 1f rocks in the pan worked in my ol fullstock hawken flinter.

[Co. Batguano]

Have any of you guys ever used FFFFg as a main charge in some of your smaller caliber rifles before?  It takes forever to use up a pound of the stuff when you only use it as a pan charger in flinters and snaphaunces.

[Ranch13]

Never used it in a rifle, but did use some in 36 and 31 cap and ball revolvers, and a 32 caliber singleshot pistol. Lyman's Blackpowder Handbook used to have 4f data in it, not sure if the Fadala versions do or not.

[quickdtoo]

Very helpful gents and much appreciated.  It is indeed .50 cal.  The RMC is a PA manufactured traditional smokepole...meaning its flashpan ignition; not an inline and not percussion.

Read the sticky titled What this forum IS and what it IS NOT!, sabots and powerbelts are not traditional, their discussion isn't allowed in this forum, take it to the modern forum if you want to bring them into the discussion, I've allowed the discussion to continue on the use of powder.

Tim

[keith44]

since 4F is not recommended for main charges I have never tried it in a rifle.  I offer this as speculation as to pressure levels that may be encountered, this is purely speculation and extrapolation on my part.


My Lyman BP manual says that in a .32 cal a 30 grain charge of 2F Goex generates 5,400 psi (under a roundball) a 30 grain charge of 3F generates 9,400 psi.  So since this is nearly double you could expect around 18,000 psi using a charge of 4F.  This would put undue stress on the rifle (or pistol) in question. 


I have used 5 grains of 4F in a small signal cannon, but 2F is much more impressive.