FFF in 45-70?

[Dogleg]

Anyone use FFF in their 45-70s? I've seemed to have exhausted the local supplies of FF; though to be honest that didn't take much. There does seem to be a fair bit of Goex FFF at a LGS though. I was thinking of trying that while waiting for more FF to get here. I'm also thinking, or maybe just guessing that fouling would be a little less? Bullets are a few versions of the Postell, weighing in at 535 + or - a bit.

 

[Ol' Flinter]

I used GOEX FFFg in both a 45-70 and 45-90 with good results. The 45-70 load was 62 gr but I used 495 gr and 415 gr cast bullets so you may need to tweak that charge a grain or two for best results in your rifle.

 

[hickstick_10]

Anyone use FFF in their 45-70s? I've seemed to have exhausted the local supplies of FF; though to be honest that didn't take much. There does seem to be a fair bit of Goex FFF at a LGS though. I was thinking of trying that while waiting for more FF to get here. I'm also thinking, or maybe just guessing that fouling would be a little less? Bullets are a few versions of the Postell, weighing in at 535 + or - a bit.

All the time, check the Shiloh rifle forums for target loads with the granulation as well.

 

[Dogleg]

Tried it today with 65 grains. Can't rule it out completely without more testing but I thnk I'm going in the wrong direction.

 

[Ol' Flinter]

65 gr might be a bit hot: start at 58 or so and work up one grain at a a time until you get the optimum powder compression.

 

[gunlaker]

You can definitely make FFFg work well in the .45-70. Eron Amer from Colorado wins or places in the top three at most of the big long range matches. He shoots a .45-70 using 69gr of Swiss FFFg and a money bullet.

Chris.

 

[vagrantviking]

Should be doable. I haven't tried it lately though.

Would guess less compression and maybe a bit smaller charge. Could be a little harder on the lube.

Checking the Shiloh forum is a good idea.

 

[BigUglyMan]

You should talk to the guys that shoot at Bethune. They should be able to tell you where to get some FFg. Hell, if I'd know a month or two ago I could have sold you 30 lbs.

 

[skokie]

I shoot 510 grain Spire point cast with 65 grains of fffg Goex, packs in there nicely and shoots well out to 440 yards, which is as far as I've been able to shoot. I picked up a case of fffg Goex a few years back and spilt it with a friend, so I've been using that for everything from .58 muzzleloader to .50 flint, 11mm french, .45 acp and even some shotshells. Truly versatile stuff.

 

[Dogleg]

You should talk to the guys that shoot at Bethune. They should be able to tell you where to get some FFg. Hell, if I'd know a month or two ago I could have sold you 30 lbs.

What powder I do get is by being nudged toward it by members of that group. They've got all the makings of a secret society.

 

[bearhunter]

I find FFF powder works best with lighter bullets say 405 grains and lighter. I use FF for heavier loads in my 45-70 Sharps and and with Maxis in my 50 cal Plains Rifle. In the 50 can with round balls I use FFF with the best results.

Your rifle may be different.

 

[Dogleg]

I've decided that at least for now I'm farther ahead to put my efforts into finding more FF than working up another load with FFF. I've got something going with 67 grains of weighed FF Goex, the home cast 535 Boomer Postel seated with 2 GG exposed. .030" vegetable wad.

A strange thing happened recently. I was about ready to swap to just about any commercial lube or homemade concoction rather that the black powder gold I am using. Basically just waiting for the Lyman to get empty. Oddly, the lube went from not working to keeping the fouling soft and greasy over night. I have no idea why it would just decide to work. Nothing else was changed.