ORIGINAL: MLKeith
I understand what you are saying but the point I tried to make; apparently not too well, was many of the manuals say 100grains or 150grains of pellets is the max load. If you try to make that equal 100grains loose 3f or 150grains loose 3f things are not the same. That is why I said make sure the load you are using is recommended for your rifle. Especially the newer owners that have not had a lot of time with the sport might be confused.
Fair enough. You know I was surprised to find the 100 grain limitation on loose in my Apex manual. Kinda peeved me at first. But after realizing that the manual allowed100 grains2f 777, I calmed right down. In terms of muzzle velocity, and pressure,this charge is generally equivalent to between 115 and 120 grains of RS. Then it occurred to me that they don't want to distinguish between powders or granulations. All this makes sense because peak pressures with 100 grains 2f 777 are comparable to the peak pressures using 3 50 grain pellets. But don't think for minute, though,that 3 50 grain pellets are just as safe as 100 grains. There is more yield in the pellets and more potential for higher pressures when things go wrong.
As far as 3f goes, I use it, but it is prohibited in this and every other rifle I've ever owned, in so far as the manufactures haven't listed 3f granulation as recommended in the manual. Everyone is kind of on their own on this one, because using 3f granulation is, in theory,a violation of the manual's recommendations. At the very least, reduce the maximum charge by a minimum of 10% by volume when using 3f granulations.