Pinnacle 3FG in 38 SPL.

[Patrick Henry Brown]

I've read a couple of sites about BP Subs for Dummies. In my case they're most appropriate. I've shot BP off and on for 35 yrs now, but finding it now is tough. Thought I'd try the Pinnacle for a variety of reasons, so don't start with a tirade of "Holy Black". Been there, done that, and probably will again soon. Anyway, I'm using some Black Dawg 158 grain bullets and 19-20 gr volume of 3Fg Pinnacle. Compressing powder probably .10" or so -- maybe a hair more. Using a Lee 1.3 Dipper. Is this going to be safe in my Kirst conversions and RM Ubertis? Have loaded a hundred rounds so far with this load. After reading a post about an 1892 rifle blowing up, I'm wary. I would think that 20 grains would be safe. Certainly, I've shot that in my C&B .36 with RB before. PM me with answers if this is outside rules. I need to know from folks who are more knowledgable than me on these new substitutes. Thanks.

[Pony Racer]

Pard I have shot 1.3cc of APP, Pinnacle and Schuetzen under a 158 grain bullet for 4 years now.  This is in both 1851RM's made by Uberti and a Pair of Pietta 1851's converted for 38 spl with R&D kits and barrel sleeves.

I use the same load in my 38 spl 1873 carbine.

PR

[Patrick Henry Brown]

Received the following response from Goex:

Dear Mr. Lovell, Thank you for your inquiry.

Pinnacle is a stronger powder than is black powder.  It was designed to be used without compression, which will cause a significant increase in pressure.  I would not use Pinnacle in an open top conversion, especially with .100 compression. 

The 36 caliber round ball you shoot in your percussion revolvers weighs 81 grains.  At 158 grains, the Black Dawge bullets weigh nearly twice as much as the projectile you have shot out of the percussion revolver.  This is a SIGNIFICANT increase in bullet weight, and will have a marked increase on the pressure generated.  I cannot recommend that you shoot this load in your revolvers.

Sincerely, Bill Bagwell
----- Original Message -----
From: Clint Lovell
To: bbag@marshalltx.com
Sent: Monday, July 14, 2008 12:10 PM
Subject: 3FG in 38 SPL.


I've read a couple of websites about BP Subs for Dummies. In my case they're most appropriate. I've shot BP off and on for 35 yrs now, but finding it is tough. Thought I'd try the Pinnacle for a variety of reasons. Anyway, I'm using some Black Dawg 158 grain bullets and 19-20 gr volume of 3Fg Pinnacle. Compressing powder probably .10" or so -- maybe a hair more. Using a Lee 1.3 Dipper. Is this going to be safe in my Kirst conversions and RM Ubertis? Have loaded a hundred rounds so far with this load. I would think that 20 grains would be safe. Certainly, I've shot that in my C&B .36 with RB before. Should I back off some or will these loads be OK? Thanks.