3Fg Pinnacle 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.

[Pettifogger]

2f APP is like small rocks.  Even 3f APP is pretty coarse compared to real BP.  So, .10 compression should be fine.  A little compression with APP tends to keep the rounds consistent from shot to shot.  Sometimes if there is a little airspace or no compression a fired round will feel noticeably lighter, but won't hurt anything.

[sundance44`s]

Preacher ..just in case you didn`t know APP ( American Pioneer Powder ) Makes Goex Pinnacle powder ..it`s pretty much the same stuff , different can .
Like Pettifogger already warned the 2 F ..Its like trying to measure road gravel ...the 3f is alot better .
I use it sometimes when I use moly lubed bullets ...it ain`t bad under a 250 gr bullet ..It`s a little puny under cap and ball though .

[hellgate]

Your proposed load looks good to me. Over compression can be a problem and raise pressures but 1/10" doesn't sound overly deep.

[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.

[sundance44`s]

Here`s some compairison test done with it ..good reading ..http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=175862&highlight=pinnacle

[Patrick Henry Brown]

You're right Sundance. Interesting reading, and quite the opposite of the Goex official line.