I didn't like it too much and am either switching to 777 in powder form, or see what all the hype over Blackhorn209 is all about. And why we are at it, can some one explain the differences between ff, fffg and so on for me, thanks.


The number of F's deal with the size of the grains of powder. Normally Fg is cannon powder or for the very large bore muskets like the brown bess. FFg is rifle grade powder. Normally they suggest this powder for .50 caliber and bigger. FFFg is pistol or small bore rifle powder. This is the powder they use in black powder pistols, revolvers and rifles .50 caliber and under. .50 caliber is kind of the turning point. FFFFg is priming powder for the pans of the flintlocks. It is very fine. There is even small grain powders like FFFFFg commonly used in blasting. Its more like dust...

As the grade increases, so generally does the strength of the powder. So you have to keep in mind the size of the powder you are burning and adjust your loads of powder to match that.

That stuff you saw in your barrel was probably unburnt powder. When you swab, you do bring out fowling, but you also push some fowling down around the bore as well.

BlackHorn 209 is a good powder if you have the right rifle. You have a good rifle for that powder. You might want to give it a try.