Ball,patch and load for 54 cal.

[NSBrown]

What size roundball, patch and load should I use in a 54 cal. 43" round-bottom rifling Rayl barrel I'm using on my current build? I will eventually optimize the load for this rifle, but I was wonderimg about a good starting point.

[Jerry V Lape]

In my .54 round bottom rifling I shoot a .535 ball with .016 -.018 patching wet with 4 to 1 water/Ballistol mix and 70gr of Swiss FFg for the range.  Hunting load is 90gr Swiss FFg and SPG lube rubbed into the exterior of the patches cut at the muzzle.  The 90gr load is actually more accurate but too much load for just plinking at paper with a 7.5lb rifle. 

[BrownBear]

There are probably half a dozen 54 cals of various makes represented among the folks I shoot with.  Fact or local tradition, we've all settled on .530 balls, .018 pillow ticking, a range of lubes and +/- 80 grains of 3f as our "standard" loads.   We wander up and down from that charge range depending on uses or interests, but the steady diet for all of us is somewhere around 80 grains of 3f. 

[longcruise]

Take several ball sizes and four of five patch thicknesses to the range and start trying them out.  Find one that loads and shoots to your satisfaction. 

[Don Getz]

When are you guys going to learn, you shoot "FF" in a 54.....try it sometime....Don

[Roger Fisher]

My log gun although only a .47 (don't ask) would not group well til I went to 2 F Goex.  Also shot 2 F Schuetzen decent....

[ottawa]

15 th patch 530 round ball 100gr ff for hunting and sereous target shooting over 50yards closer  ranges out to 30 yards 70 gr ff dont shoot that much but this seams to be what my 54 likes so far

[long carabine]

75 grains of FF Goex behind a patch of pillowticking (Walmart bought) The lube is a mixture of Crisco and bees wax 30/70. Long carabine

[BrownBear]

I tried Goex 2f real thoroughly in both my 54's, and neither liked it till I got up to charges of 110 grains and more.  Just the way they are, and I've settled in on 80 grains of 3f as my all around load for everything from deer to tincans.  If I'm going moose hunting I'm packing a 58 anyway, so heavier charges in the 54's are academic.

[Leatherbelly]

  "2F in rifles and fowlers,3F in pistols"  I like a .535 RB,.015 - .020 patch,spit(real wet),and I would start at 70gr. of 2F. If your barrel twist is less than 1 in 66",say 1 in 72", I'd start a little higher,80+- 2f? add to adjust. Mine liked 75gr. I'll bet that 90grs.of 2f is where you'll end up. Should be enough power for moose, elk, bear, deer, & targets!

[jamesthomas]

i use 3fff to avoid having to carry two types of powder plus my rifle .50 cal.gmshoots more accurate using 70gr.3fff swiss 33inch barrel. than 2ff

[Leatherbelly]

  Results may vary!

[catman]

Yes, they will vary. My .54 loves 2F, hates 3F....go-fig?

[Daryl]

The pressure climb is much faster with 3F, of course. This nesitates a tighter ball/patch combo.  More 2f is required to match the ballistics of 3F, but the pressure is much lower and ball/patch combos less critical, ie; need not be as tight to seal.

higher pressure = tighter combos to seal  ------  lower pressure = easier loading & just as good accuracy, even better in most guns over .45 cal.

My .40 shoots 2F just as well as 3F - as does the .45 - I have accuracy loads with both powders in the small bores.     The .58 and .69 prefer 2f over any load in 3F.