Author Topic: FFFg Black Pwdr in the Huntsman ?  (Read 1096 times)

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Offline Primer

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FFFg Black Pwdr in the Huntsman ?
« on: March 03, 2004, 09:51:37 AM »
:D        Do any of you use FFFg black powder in your Huntsmans? I have a pound of Goex in FFFg I've had stored, and having trouble finding anyone around my area that sells any black powder , let alone the more familiar FFg.

Was anxious to try some and thought I should reduce the FFFg charge by 10-15% for starters. Sound like a doable/safe plan?

Thanks,....Primer

Offline buckbeast

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FFFg Black Pwdr in the Huntsman ?
« Reply #1 on: March 03, 2004, 09:57:45 AM »
primer,
I use FFFg in my Huntsman. I shoot a load of 90 grains and get groups that cloverleaf at 100 yards. I know the manual for the Huntsman recommends FFg, but I have not had any problems whatsoever with the FFFG.
Just a country boy from the mountains of PA

Offline Primer

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FFFg Black Pwdr in the Huntsman ?
« Reply #2 on: March 03, 2004, 11:38:32 AM »
buckbeast, :D

Thanks for your info. Sounds good for sure. Also, great shooting on your behalf!

I know that some use the FFFg finer granulation on their sidelocks, so that the powder finds it's way better to the nipple through a nipple drum.  Some have even reported improved accuracy,more uniform burn,etc. Just wasn't sure with the Inline ignition, hotter 209 primers and higher pressures burning the FFFg.

Offline Zeak

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FFFg Black Pwdr in the Huntsman ?
« Reply #3 on: March 05, 2004, 05:03:19 AM »
I use 75-80 gr. of 3f with good accuracy with a 240 gr Hornaday SST.  Zeak

Offline Primer

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FFFg Black Pwdr in the Huntsman ?
« Reply #4 on: March 05, 2004, 05:21:49 AM »
Zeak, :D

Sounds very good!  Did you mean 250 gr? I haven't seen any 240 gr, but would like to try some if there out there. :grin:

All,....do you have to patch between shots with your Black Pwdr? I pretty much have to /or prefer to with the T777 I've been using. (get a little crud ring ya know).

Also, what kind of primers do you prefer?

Offline buckbeast

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FFFg Black Pwdr in the Huntsman ?
« Reply #5 on: March 05, 2004, 10:26:34 AM »
Primer,
       I have only ever used Winchester 209 primers. I wet a patch in my mouth and use it to swab out the barrel between shots. Black powder is very dirty and creates quite a bit of fouling. The main reason I do this is for accuracy. I want the barrel to be as consistant as possible between each shot. This will help with accuracy. It also allows for ease of loading. Here's a story about that.

     A couple of years ago I was hunting with my flintlock and missed a doe early in the morning. I reloaded the rifle (without swabbing the barrel) and hunted for a few more hours. I shot and knocked down a doe around lunch time and as the doe was trying to get back up, I attempted to load again without swabbing the barrel. The power-belt bullet I was using got stuck about half way down the barrel and wouldn't budge one way or the other. Needless to say the deer finally got up and ran away, and after an extensive tracking job, I never did find it. The point is; Had I swabbed the barrel after my morning shot, I may have been able to load my follow-up shot. Had I swabbed after that second shot, I may have still had time to get a follow-up shot, instead of fighting with a stuck projectile and a disgusted feeling of wounding a deer.

Buck
Just a country boy from the mountains of PA

Offline buckbeast

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FFFg Black Pwdr in the Huntsman ?
« Reply #6 on: March 05, 2004, 10:28:48 AM »
Primer,
       I have only ever used Winchester 209 primers. I wet a patch in my mouth and use it to swab out the barrel between shots. Black powder is very dirty and creates quite a bit of fouling. The main reason I do this is for accuracy. I want the barrel to be as consistant as possible between each shot. This will help with accuracy. It also allows for ease of loading. Here's a story about that.

     A couple of years ago I was hunting with my flintlock and missed a doe early in the morning. I reloaded the rifle (without swabbing the barrel) and hunted for a few more hours. I shot and knocked down a doe around lunch time and as the doe was trying to get back up, I attempted to load again without swabbing the barrel. The power-belt bullet I was using got stuck about half way down the barrel and wouldn't budge one way or the other. Needless to say the deer finally got up and ran away, and after an extensive tracking job, I never did find it. The point is; Had I swabbed the barrel after my morning shot, I may have been able to load my follow-up shot. Had I swabbed after that second shot, I may have still had time to get a follow-up shot, instead of fighting with a stuck projectile and a disgusted feeling of wounding a deer.

Buck
Just a country boy from the mountains of PA

Offline Primer

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FFFg Black Pwdr in the Huntsman ?
« Reply #7 on: March 05, 2004, 03:13:21 PM »
buckbeast,

Hard break and hard lesson on loosing that deer. Like you, I HATE knowing they are hit and not being able to recover the animal. It's happened to me on a few nice bucks and a huge doe over the years. Two with the bow ,one with gun. :x  
Seems to stay with ya for many years. Even a bad hit and later recovery tears at me for not doing better.
I'm sure that most of us that hunt,especially large game,try to do our humane best,...and are crushed when our best recovery efforts aren't successful.

Anyway, that behind us, I agree with the wet patching between shots and consistency with everything. Sure offers positive gains,for my money. Just haven't had any experience with black powder, as have always used the synthetics.
Thanks!,...................Primer :grin: