FFFFg

[Wallaby Jack]

G'day,
A while ago, on another boad, I mentioned using Wano FFFFg powder in 410 shotshells and seemed to have folks "runnin' fer tha hills" over it.

I must ask, did I do something wrong ?
22gn of FFFFg, Win AA410 wad, 1/2oz of #9 shot.


......wbj..

(nothing has blow'd up yet)

[sundance44`s]

The 4f powder is just such a fast burning powder .. pressure could be an issue ..

[Silver Creek Slim]

I've been thinkin' of using FFFFg in .22 Hornet shells. 

Slim

[Dick Dastardly]

I load FFFFg Holy Black in my lil 32S&W ammo for my 31 Remington spur trigger side match "hideout" gun.  Works great.

Also, .410 gauge is a kind of different breed of cat.  There are loads for hot heathen pistol powders that work very well in this lil scattergun.  I've been loading FFFg in .410 and it's a bit too soft to kill bunnys beyond 30 yards.  Maybe ol Wallaby Jack is on to something.  I'll give some FFFFg a go in my .410 and see how it flickers.

DD-DLoS

[Goatlips]

Hay Wallaby Jack,

A while back I did a search and found that it wasn't uncommon for Brits to load FFFFg in their fowling pieces, and the older Lyman Blackpowder manuals show FFFFg tested in cap and ballers.

I use FFFFg exclusively in my .38's along with Snakebite Greasewagons for a little more oomph and smoke.  Stops the blowback in my rifle also.  Yes, yes, yes I know.  Been doing it for six years with no problems, save for the occasional helpful scolder that read something somewheres he thinks I should be aware of.   

Good shootin' pard

Goatlips

[Delmonico]

I wouldn't worry if the gun was originally chambered for the higher pressure 3 inch shells.  I have seen a couple of old single shots chambered for 2 1/2 inch shells/44 Shot.  These old guns are often soft steel and I don't think I'd use one of them with the FFFFg.

[Silver Creek Slim]

I might have ta spermint with FFFFg and my Ruger .45's. 

Slim

[Dick Dastardly]

Ho Slim,

If'n yer serious about FFFFg in 45 Colt, I'd try it like this.  Get a couple of pieces of NEW brass.  Size it, mike it inside and out and mike the length.  Then, put in a half charge of FFFFg and compress it with a dowel.  Follow that with a fiber wad and follow that with compressed filler.  Finally, seat yer boolit and let 'er flicker.

Then, mike the brass, take note of the ease of extraction, look at the primer, check the case length and do whatever else you can to check for excess pressure.  BP pressure has a way of sneekin' up on ya.  If all is well within limits, increase the charge and do it all over again.  You just may get to a compressed load of 40 grains of FFFFg very safely, but it's not where you need to start.

Don't fall for the chatter about allowing air space between the boolit and the powder.  It's not predictable, especially when workin' up experimental loads.

One small advantage of the 44 Magnum over the 45 Colt is that the cylinder walls of the 44 Magnum are thicker cuz the holes are just that much smaller.  Elmer Keith knew this when he, Remington and Smith and Wesson developed the 44 Magnum.  However, before they were successful they decomissioned several fine S&W 44 Special wheel guns.

A good modern 45 Colt just might handle a stiff load of FFFFg, but if it were me working up the load, I'd only give the dragon one poke at a time.  Go slow, take notes and know that what is safe in your gun may not be safe in another one.  But hey, it's part of the fun of reloading.

I  kin just see the ol RO run for the hills after one cylinder full of 'em FFFFg warthog 45 Colt loads.  But, please do it safe.  I  enjoy yer ugly face at the shoots and wouldn't want no parts missin'. . . .

DD-DLoS

[Goatlips]

Good post and good point DD.  With .38's in Rugers I've found no signs of excess pressure, but .45's are a horse of another color.

Goatlips

[Silver Creek Slim]

I will definitely heed yer advise, DD. First, I have to find a pound of FFFFg locally.

A couple years ago, I wanted to make some hot loads for my RBV .45 and Marlin .45 for deer hunting. So, I searched the 'net and found a load that was recommended fer Rugers and stouter pistols. It was 26 grs of H110 with a 250 gr JHP on top. I loaded 20 rounds and tried 'em in the Marlin. They worked fine without signs of excessive pressure. I harvested a doe that year with that load outta the Marlin. After the season, I wanted to shoot up the rest of the loads so I wouldn't mix 'em up and shoot 'em in my Uberti 1875 Remingtons.  So, I grabbed a RBV .45 and loaded the cylinder. I put out a jug full a water to shoot at. I gripped the pistol with both hands and squeezed to trigger. To say the least, it was very lively and made a spectacular display when it hit the water jug.  I wouldn't want to give a RBV a steady diet of 'em, but once in awhile I might. I would think it would be good bear medicine.

Slim

[El Peludo]

When I was learning reloading, I was taught what I think of as a basic rule of thumb regarding case size and powders:  "The larger the cartridge case, the slower the powder should burn".  This is very general, and basic, in the extreme, but I also think it applies equally to smokee-less and The Holy Black.  With THB, I would think smaller cases, finer powder; I don't see anything wrong with what Wallaby Jack is proposing, as long as it is approached with caution and logic.