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Old 12-13-2009, 06:48 AM   #1
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Default How many grains of power

Hi I got a quick question. I 'am breaking out the flintlock after 25 years. I found I had 3 charges still in pill bottles. I weighed them and they vari 100 to 125. What is the right charge for my 45 cal. I use patch and round balls, ff powder?
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Old 12-13-2009, 06:56 AM   #2
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If it's been that long I'd start over from scratch. And if the powder is that old I'd get some new. Start with 80gr's of powder and work you way up in 5gr incriments untill you find what groups best for your ML. There is no exact load that anyone could suggest execpt finding this out for yourself.
Best of luck.
(BP)
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Old 12-13-2009, 09:22 AM   #3
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When I shot a .45 flinter in the 70s, I used 75grs of Goex FFF, it was plenty...Even using a .54 I hunt with 80grs of FFF...With a round ball, that's plenty...
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Old 12-13-2009, 11:55 AM   #4
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Thanks alot, I'll start with 75gr. and go from there.
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Old 12-13-2009, 12:01 PM   #5
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pats102862
It will depend somewhat on the twist. If you are shooting a round ball and a 1-48 twist the start with 50 gr it will most likely shoot the best groups with 50 to 60 gr if you have a 1-80 twist then start at 65 and work up. be sure you have a good tight patch and ball combination.
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Old 12-13-2009, 12:34 PM   #6
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I would use FFF in a .45 caliber and since I have no idea of the twist I would start with 60 grains and work up from there.
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Old 12-13-2009, 04:14 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lemoyne View Post
pats102862
It will depend somewhat on the twist. If you are shooting a round ball and a 1-48 twist the start with 50 gr it will most likely shoot the best groups with 50 to 60 gr if you have a 1-80 twist then start at 65 and work up. be sure you have a good tight patch and ball combination.
The flintlock is a thompson/center hawken I bought new back in the late 70s in 45 cal. As for the twist I don't know what it is. I shoot a round ball. I haven't shot it in 25 years, I basicly forgot everything.
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Old 12-13-2009, 06:58 PM   #8
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Thats about the age of one of mine. It has a 1-48 twist.
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Old 12-14-2009, 03:19 AM   #9
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Since the rifle has a 1/48 twist I would start at 45-50 gr of 3-f.
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