Black powder for cap and ball revolver - ffG or fffG

[Re3iever]

Back in the winter I purchased a Uberti 1858 New Model Army cap and ball revolver (used), the outdoor range opened last week and I am getting prepared for my first time firing black powder.

Along with the gun came a half can of Goex ffG black powder. I read somewhere that fffG is what is supposed to be used for cap and ball revolvers so is this ffG stuff ok to use?

Thanks

Retreever

 

[vagrantviking]

Either is fine.

FFFG will have a little more snap to it and maybe burn slightly cleaner but both will work just great.

Also figure out what size caps fit best. Usually it's #10 and #11's fall off easily. If you can't get the 10's on all the way or have to drop the hammer on them more than once to fire you probably need to go to 11's.

 

[Re3iever]

Either is fine.

FFFG will have a little more snap to it and maybe burn slightly cleaner but both will work just great.

Also figure out what size caps fit best. Usually it's #10 and #11's fall off easily. If you can't get the 10's on all the way or have to drop the hammer on them more than once to fire you probably need to go to 11's.

Thanks VV, I have #11 caps - that's what the previous owner recommended.
Retreever

 

[stewbud]

Retreever,

I learned a lot from reading this fellows work:

http://www.geojohn.org/BlackPowder/bps1.html

The section on loading was particularly helpful.

My Ruger Old Army is the most accurate pistol that I own.

Good luck with your shooting!

 

[gab]

I use FFFG in my Ruger Old Army; it works great.

 

[Re3iever]

Retreever,

I learned a lot from reading this fellows work:

http://www.geojohn.org/BlackPowder/bps1.html

The section on loading was particularly helpful.

My Ruger Old Army is the most accurate pistol that I own.

Good luck with your shooting!

Thanks SB appreciate the link.

 

[sail32]

Pedersoli's loading recommendations for the .44 pistol, scroll down to the bottom.

https://www.davide-pedersoli.com/uploads/supporto/9SUGGESTED BLACK POWDER LOADS.pdf

From; https://www.davide-pedersoli.com/su...l_en/idsu_9/suggested-black-powder-loads.html

 

[handofzeus]

I use FFFG for rifle and handgun. I would probably only ever use FFG in a shotgun.

 

[brownie]

I use FFFFG in my ,Uberti, Colt 1860 Army Model, it seems to shoot a little more accurate than FFFG.
Brownie

 

[MikeD81]

I use fffg in everything and am happy.

 

[9.3 Hunter]

triple F for BP revolvers, double F for BP shotguns

 

[sean69]

here arethe goex recommended loads: https://goexpowder.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/rb-pistol-revolvers.pdf

I use between 18-28 FFF grains in my .44 - I would not use FFFF in a pistol.

 

[lyman54]

What model are you buying OP? Never mind, I missed that part. Had 2 of those very nice revolvers. Colt types are easier to cap I find. Waiting for a Dance Brothers .44, no recoil shields should make capping a breeze.

 

[bush1]

This is from the Hodgdon Website concerning their Tripple 7 granular black powder substitute .

FFG Granular Powder
Hodgdon’s revolutionary granulated muzzleloading propellant that cleans up with water alone. Contains no sulfur, so there are no strong smells and clean-up is a breeze. Triple Seven granulated powder is intended for use in shotguns and rifles, 45 caliber and larger, as well as cartridges.

FFFG Granular Powder
FFFG Granular Powder
The same great powder as FFG with smaller grain size and it is intended for use in pistols and rifles of 50 caliber and smaller. Easy clean-up with this one - just like standard Triple Seven.

 

[bush1]

Rule of thumb (I have this printed out in my Black Powder reloading book as I load for small revolvers and large rifles)

Granulation:
Black powder is produced in different sizes or granulations as indicated by the number of F’s on the container’s label, with Fg being the coarsest and FFFFg being the finest. The size of black powder you use depends on your firearm and the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Fg: Coarse grain typically used in cannons, muskets, rifles larger than .75 caliber, and shotguns that are 10-gauge or larger.

FFg: Medium grain typically used in larger rifles between .50 and .75 caliber, 20-gauge to 12-gauge shotguns, and pistols larger than .50 caliber.

FFFg: Fine grain typically used in smaller rifles and pistols under .50 caliber and smaller shotguns.

FFFFg: Extra-fine grain used as a priming powder in the pans of flintlocks. Never use FFFFg black powder as the primary powder charge in a rifle, pistol, or shotgun.

Substitutes:
Two of the many black powder substitutes are Pyrodex and Triple Seven. Both are available in granulated and pellet form. Use Pyrodex in volume equal to black powder; but when using Triple Seven, reduce your loads by 15%.
Pyrodex offers three different granulated black powder substitutes. Pyrodex P (for pistols) is the same size as FFFg black powder; RS (for rifles/shotguns) and Select (a variation of RS) are like FFg powder.
Granulated Triple Seven comes in FFg and FFFg sizes.

Loading procedures with substitutes may vary. Be sure to get loading instructions from a qualified gunsmith and your owner’s manual. Substitutes are not recommended for use in flintlock priming pans because they may not ignite from sparks as easily.