Black Powder Grain Size

[Hoot-3rd Ga]

Gentlemen: I have developed the load that will shoot 1" groups at 50 yds. out of my Spencer. The trade off was to avoid crushing the powder when seating the bullet. My goal is to shoot  4" groups at 200 yds.  The question now is how to get more velocity out of the same bullet. Has anyone experimented with the finer granulations like Swiss FFF  and Goex FFF?    Hoot - 3rd Ga

[Herbert]

the only solution i have found so far is to use a duplex load 10%!MR SR4756 comprest bp load seems to give higher velocitys  and very clean burning ,best acuracy it is leagl to yous in bpc events but i dont lick doing it

[Arizona Trooper]

Hoot,
  I have never had decent results with any FFF in a Spencer. It does produce higher velocities, but also makes bigger groups. Try GOEX CTG, Jackie should have some at the Winchester range. Burning rate is about half way between FF and FFF but accuracy is as good as FF. Swiss FF is the fastest that I have tried, and works very well, but it's expensive. 1 1/2 F Swiss works great in larger cartridges (45-70 & 45-80). I haven't tried the GOEX Express yet, but it looks good on paper. Also, try putting a card wad between the bullet and powder. I punch them out of desk calendar backing cardboard. It seems to help accuracy. 

[Georgia Redleg]

Hoot, with the Swiss powder you are using the #2 is similar to Goex Cartridge.  Swiss #2 is not quite like goex FFF.  You will get a heavier charge.  I was loading some test rounds the other night and commpressed a 33gr charge of Swiss 1 1/2 for a lee 450gr bullet only to dicover that I had not primed the case.  This charge is compressed about .350".  I pulled the card wad and tapped the case in a pan and the powder came out all seperated. It appeared, when compared to uncompressred powder, to be undamaged.  Georgia Redleg

[Hoot-3rd Ga]

Arizona Trooper: I am aware that Swiss FF is expensive, but money is not a factor in shooting long range side matches. It requires less than 10 rounds per match. I would use something cheaper the rest of the time. I just need the flattest shooting accurate loading for 200 yds.  Of the two, which is best.....Goex cartridge powder or Swiss FF powder?       Hoot

[Herbert]

i have found swis to be be cleaner burning and i get slightly more consistant velocitys than with goex i find swiss to be nealy as good as original curtis  and harvey fine rifle pouder if only they could macke pouder lick that now bp shooting would be much less frustrating

[Georgia Redleg]

Sent you an email give a call if you can.

[Jimbo]

I have been shooting Goex 3F for many years in both my muskets,.58 cal, and in my Sharps cartridge guns as well. I do not load grain for grain meaning if I have a load of say 62 grs 2F and I want to try working up a load for 3F I will use 57 gr's to start. I found that because 3F burns hotter if you go grain for grain that the 62 gr 2F load now becomes equal to a 67 gr charge. 3F seems to be about 5 -8 grains hotter than 2F. no data just experience.

I have not done any major testing of velocity differences but I have been able to get minute of angel groups out of my 45-100 with the 3F and above average groups out to 400 yds. In my Spencer 56-50 I'm using 25 gr Goex 3F with the Lyman 515139 bullet approx 320 gr and I can hit and knock down steel targets out to 200 yds. I tried 30 gr 2F with the same bullet and best results were 8 in groups at 100yds and could not hit anything at 200. I have not done any group testing as I have not cut the rear sight so that I can see the same spot twice.

I'm waiting for my Widowmaker mould to work up some loads then I will start testing for group size. For now as long as the steel falls I'm good to go!

[Fox Creek Kid]

Try GOEX Express FFg & Swiss FFg. I have shot both in my Spencer and they gave velocities very close. I did not however put them on paper.