Powder Change FFg to FFFg

[walter t]

Hi All,
I ran out of FFG Goex and could only get FFFG for now, I have been shooting 95 grains of FFG in my cannon, what would be about the same charge using FFFG?
Walter t

[GGaskill]

We need some particulars about the cannon such as material and dimensions.

[walter t]

Hi,
Cannon has a 9/16"  bore and a 1/2" x 1" powder chamber, made out of 1 1/2" bronze shafting.
Walter t

[GGaskill]

Did the 95 grains fill the chamber?

[Double D]

Since 94 grains is an over load I would just go with the correct max load for  1/2 inch bore and reduce it by half and work up.  Max load for a  1/2 inch bore cannon is 50 grain. 

Start with 25 grs.

[Cat Whisperer]

Since 94 grains is an over load I would just go with the correct max load for  1/2 inch bore and reduce it by half and work up.  Max load for a  1/2 inch bore cannon is 50 grain. 

Start with 25 grs.

Walter -  DD has given you GOOD advice.  Others here know what I'm going to say next.  I've seen (from 15' away) a bronze cannon with 1" bore (about 3" diameter at the breech) explode.  By God's grace the 5 of us were standing BEHIND it.  All that was left was from the middle of the fuse hole back.  20 or so pounds of bronze frag all over going generally straight out from the sides of the cannon.  YOU need to know when you light the fuse whether it's a cannon or a bomb.

[walter t]

I think my charge is we bit hot,I will cut it back to 50 grains or less with the FFG and less with FFF.
Walter t

[walter t]

Hi All,
I based my charges on the "Traditions" load chart and I see that they say for .50 cal. for best accuracy you can use 50 - 75 grains of FFG and max load 115 grains FFG, that is why I was useing 94 grains FFG ,,, 25 - 50 grains seems pretty light compared to the  Traditions chart specs.
Walter t

[Double D]

Is that for a rifle or a cannon?

[Terry C.]

When I was shooting small .45 & .54 caliber guns, the limiting factor was always recoil. I never came anywhere near what could be considered a 'standard' load. These small guns could not be fired unrestrained and even with them tethered, light loads would put on a real show.

That was a LONG time ago, and I can't remember what the actual measurements were. But I do recall that I was using a powder flask designed for C&B revolvers to measure out the charges. I used the .36 caliber spout to fire the .45, and the .44 spout to fire the .54. I was using patched round lead balls.

Even this underload required a shooting platform with tethers. But despite all that, the little guns were quite accurate once I became familiar with their POAs. Especially the .45, which was rifled.

(edited because of my faulty memory)

[walter t]

The chart is for rifle loads,
Walter t

[Terry C.]

The chart is for rifle loads,
Walter t

My 'sweet spot' load for my .50 CVA Bobcat is 85 grains of FFg behind a patched .490 pure lead ball.

This is a hard-kicking load in a full-sized rifle, I can't imagine shooting this load in a small model cannon.

[Double D]

Use the loads on the charts for your 30 some odd inch long rifle barrel, not your  10-to 12 inch long cannon.  In order to keep the cannon from becoming a projectile itself you have to tie it down.  Tieing it down and shooting those heavy loads will tear the gun up.