Powder questions

Vash

Vash

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I have recently started playing with a thompson center 45cal rifle. In said rifle I have been using FFF-G powder. I have been talking to some black powder enthusiast who told me I should be useing FF-G, or even F-g.
So heres my question. Does the size of powder used in a muzzle loader rifle have much of an inpact on accuracy. and if so please explain.

Thanx Vash
 
3F powder burns cleaner than 2F so you will get more shots without cleaning, by using 3F. Also in a flintlock, 3F more readily fills the cavity in the vent liner giving you faster and more certain ignition. In my experience with moderate charges (50 -60 gr) 3F gave me about 50 or 100 fps faster (can't remember) than 2F.
2F is used more in large calibers and shotguns although I prefer to use 3F in my .60 smoothbore and in a .64 cal rifle. I only use 1 F in the largest of guns (a 6 guage shotgun and a 5 guage rifle --- .95 cal)
What you do need to do is to sit down and bench rest your rifle with various loads and patch combinations, 5 shot groups and see what gives the best result and/or how much those groups deteriorate when you change the powder charge.

cheers mooncoon
 
In my Encore I have found 3F 777 gives me a tighter more accurate group. I think it has to do with a more consistent burn rate due to the smaller granulation.
 
black powder grades

Vash said:
I have recently started playing with a thompson center 45cal rifle. In said rifle I have been using FFF-G powder. I have been talking to some black powder enthusiast who told me I should be useing FF-G, or even F-g.
So heres my question. Does the size of powder used in a muzzle loader rifle have much of an inpact on accuracy. and if so please explain.

Thanx Vash
Click to expand...

One thing to remember is the finer the grain ( higher f number) the more powder you get by volume (more weight). Generally you should decrease the volume of powder for the same energy when moving up the f scale.

In general: fg is a large grain powder that is used for large bore firearms and cannon; ffg is used in rifle and shotguns, loose and some larger cartridge guages and calibres; fffg is used in pistols and smaller cartridges; and fffg is used for priming flash pans only.

accuracy with BP relies partly on consistancy of the powder weight/volume, theoretically with a finer grain the weight difference per thrown charge will be less. But the chance of over charging will increase.
 
Vash said:
I have recently started playing with a thompson center 45cal rifle. In said rifle I have been using FFF-G powder. I have been talking to some black powder enthusiast who told me I should be useing FF-G, or even F-g.
So heres my question. Does the size of powder used in a muzzle loader rifle have much of an inpact on accuracy. and if so please explain.

Thanx Vash
Click to expand...

I have a T/C .50 cal that I haven't shot yet and thought about getting a .45.
How have your range sessions with your .45 been?
What twist does your rifle have?
Did you shoot round ball, conical?
Thanks KD
 
Last edited:
FFFg is fine in most small arms. I use it my rifles. I use FFg in fowlers and shotguns when they are 12ga or larger.

My .45 caliber T/Cs have shot very well with FFFg and a patched round ball.
 
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