2F or 3F in .54/.50

Pioneer2 · 07-19-2007, 11:51 PM

Is there any problems with using 3F in .54 or .50with ball or conicals? Are the ignition properties better?Would this apply to 777 ,Pyrodex and BP? I noticed some on these Forums use 3F as opposed to 2F in both calibers.Looking to improve both accuracy and ignition rate.All feedback welcome...........Harold [have experianced hangfires with 2F 777]

nchawkeye · 07-20-2007, 06:15 AM

30 years ago we were all told to use FFF in .45 caliber and under and FF in .50 and over...Fact is, FFF burns a little cleaner than FF...I use FFF in both of my flintlocks (.40 and .54), this way I can also use FFF to prime with...I also use FFF Goex in my inline, just don't feel a need to have 3-4 different powders on hand...

txjourneyman · 07-20-2007, 06:20 AM

I use 777 3f in my .50 CVA Greywolf sidelock. I tried a lot of different loads before settling on this one. 70gr 777 3f and a Great Plains HBHP 385gr conical. I get a 2" group at 100 yds with this load and it is devastating on feral hogs and has dropped a few deer as well.

eldeguello · 07-20-2007, 06:32 AM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: Pioneer2

Is there any problems with using 3F in .54 or .50with ball or conicals? Are the ignition properties better?Would this apply to 777 ,Pyrodex and BP? I noticed some on these Forums use 3F as opposed to 2F in both calibers.Looking to improve both accuracy and ignition rate.All feedback welcome...........Harold [have experianced hangfires with 2F 777]

As a rule, changing granulations would require a change in the amount of powder used also, IF you want to keep pressures and velocity similar. FFFg would require a charge reduction. Otherwise, there is no problem using FFF instead of FF. But the accuracy of an equivalent load might be quite different between the two. I have a .50, for example, that markedlyprefers FF when it comes to shooting small groups......

cayugad · 07-20-2007, 08:53 AM

Your rifle will tell you if it likes 2f or 3f. Some of my .50 calibers and .54 caliber like 2f. Others of them shoot much better with the 3f powder. In the inline rifles it is the same way. All you can do is try them out and see what your rifle likes best.

frontier gander · 07-20-2007, 10:34 AM

ive always used 2f in my 45's on up to my 54