Author Topic: elephant powder (Read 799 times)

docux · « **on:** April 29, 2003, 02:38:09 PM »

Does anyone use elephant powder 7 what do you like or dislike about it?

Thomas Krupinski · « **Reply #1 on:** April 29, 2003, 04:04:23 PM »

It has varried with lots over the years, some cleaner burning than others. The stuff I stocked up on a year or so ago was much cleaner burning than some years back.

However it all shoots well and I use it exclusively. 2F, 3F and sometimes 4F for priming the flintlock.

Best of all I like the price. Friends and I get together and order a 25 lb. order and split it up.

LOG EYE · « **Reply #2 on:** April 29, 2003, 05:12:19 PM »

I just tried 3f in my .54 T/C Renegade because it does cost a lot less than the 2f Goex I usually burn-up. I shot 45 gr. Elephant at 25 yds. and had no change in my point of aim impact on a 6 bull target. But, the extreme spread was 2.5 inches or better for 5 shots. I wet patched,dried, and shot my usual Goex 2f 45gr and kept them about 1 in. spread for 5 shots. When I shot at 50 yds with the same loads, the Elephant impact was 3-4 in. low and the spread was noticeable as compared to the Goex 2f. I didn't even try the 100 yd target comparison. I sold the Elephant powder. Oh yeah, the reason I tried the 3f was of conversations on the range about the inconsistant powder granule size of the Elephant 2f to include pieces of sticks or twigs(?). The 3f granules were very close to Goex 3f by side-by-side visual comparison but the Goex looked shiny. LUCK and X's

River runner · « **Reply #3 on:** April 29, 2003, 05:48:40 PM »

Tom K. is right about the inconsistency of Elephant in the earlier batches, 2 years ago or so, Goex was just as bad lot to lot, now both of those companies are putting out some fairly decent consistent powders due to discriminating shooters such as ourselves. Has something to do with the charcoal their using, ole fredj could get a lot more technical on this. Top of the line is definitely Swiss, but you'll pay dearly for it, but at the same time use less than the competitors, Swiss 3F in my .32 flinter is just unbelievable as far as consistency, and attaining the same velocity with substantially reduced loads. There is supposed to be another high grade BP on the horizon called Schetuzen (sp), which is much less expensive than Swiss, but I haven't had the pleasure of using it yet. RR :-D

Thomas Krupinski · « **Reply #4 on:** April 29, 2003, 05:49:41 PM »

I have shot 50 yard groups with all shots touching in one of my .54 Renegades using Lee REALs with FFg Elephant. Don't remember the actual charge, but I believe it was the Lee published average power charge.

Never tried any of the the FFFg Elephant in the .54's, usually in the .45 and .50 Hawkens for round ball loads. I have used some Goex in the past and the only difference I noticed was that it burned a bit cleaner than the Elephant lot (I think it was 1999 lot number) that I was using at that time.

Don't have any recent tests to compare.

mamaflinter · « **Reply #5 on:** April 30, 2003, 12:13:06 AM »

We use quite a bit of Elephant around here. We use it in the big boys. Meaning .50 and above. We've been using it since 2001. Around this time Elephant began heeding advice that was given to them on how to make their powder more consistent batch to batch. We get good groups with ours. In our rifles, we seem to have hit on our best accuracy using moose milk lubed patches with roundballs. The moose milk helps to clean the barrel between shots and keeps fouling soft.

One thing to note, once the current Elephant powder is gone there will be no more. Elephant sold their powder plant and it's uncertain at this time if they will build another elsewhere.

River runner · « **Reply #6 on:** April 30, 2003, 05:13:35 PM »

Mama Flinter, I believe they sold out to Scheutzen (sp) and they're using an alder charcoal now to attain consistency and keeping the fouling down, I believe, but am not sure but Track Of The Wolf may allready stock it. RR

mamaflinter · « **Reply #7 on:** May 01, 2003, 12:46:53 AM »

Yes the Elephant distributors here will now be stocking Schuetzen. I haven't shot any of this so I can't say for sure how good or bad it is. Right now I'm fine in powder and it will be sometime before I need to order some. But from talking to those who have tried it, they say it's good powder.

KING · « **Reply #8 on:** May 01, 2003, 07:01:49 PM »

I just got a case of Elephant,and a case of Swiss for my BPCR rifles. I have been doing some rather intensive testing with it,and hopefully...next week I will give you guys the results with 4 or 5 differant bullets. stay safe..king

mamaflinter · « **Reply #9 on:** May 02, 2003, 12:46:03 AM »

King just remember you don't load the Swiss grain for grain like you do with Elephant. You have to reduce loads by at least 10%. Swiss is the hottest burning powder available to American shooters.

If you've ever seen loading data for European made rifles, you will see that their charges are quite conservative. It's because they base their data on Swiss powder. Hubby and I have found it works superbly in small bores, but in large bores it's not as cut and dry.