Shooting 3f in place of 2f for 54 Caliber

[hanshi]

Yip, 70 grains of 3F is what I use with prb in my .62 smoothbore.  For shot, it's between 60 grns and 70 grns; with 2F about the same.

[Ezra]

I have always used about 100 grains 3f (+ or minus 10 grains) in my .58 rifle.  She thumps, but is very effective on Mule deer.

Ez

[RVAH-7]

My last case of Goex was all 3F except one can of 4F. My .62 trade gun prefers 2F, but 3 is versatile in my 16 ga. SxS,  .32, .50 and both .54's. Can prime out of the same horn just fine. Works fine from cottontails to moose, even deer, antelope and a mountain lion. Been killing big game since 1962 and NOT ONE critter has ever complained about what killed 'em.  Good luck hunting.

[Darkhorse]

I started off shooting 2fg in a .54 because everything I read said that was the granulation to use. I had some accurate loads but about 25 years ago I made the switch to 3fg and never looked back.
My .54 has a Colerain barrel and it basically shoots everything pretty good. My normal hunting load is either 80 or 85 grains of 3fg, using a .018 patch that load shoots tight and I've never needed a heavier charge on deer and hogs yet.
Attached is a 50 yard target shot with 60 grains of Goex 3fg, notice I am using a .015 patch and the weave isn't nearly as tough a pillow ticking. When you load beyond 60 grains this patch begins to come apart but it sure load easy.
To me, felt recoil is less with 3fg than 2fg and that's another thing I like.

[Jerry]

Good suggestions on using 3fg powder as opposed to 2fg. Would like to know if 2fg would be better for shot in smoothbores? 

[Darrin McDonal]

My .54 rifle performs best with 70gr 3f. PLENTY of knock down power for any deer. If you retrieve the bullet & reuse it, now your hunting like the long hunters.
Darrin

[Sharpsman]

How the rifle is gripped and held throughout 'follow-through' means more than anything else assuming proper marksmanship rules are applied!!

[Jerry]

How the rifle is gripped and held throughout 'follow-through' means more than anything else assuming proper marksmanship rules are applied!!

Very good information...

[Dphariss]

I recently Finished a copy of an Issaic Haynes rifle  (38 inch Rice C weight, 54 caliber barrel, flint ignition.) for my son in-law, an avid White Tail hunter.  With no 2F powder but  an adequate supply of 3F, we need to work up a hunting load suitable for deer sized game.  Any 3F shooters out there with advice?

 I use FF Swiss in my 67 caliber, it and F are good in most firearms shooting elongated bullets though 1 1/2 Swiss has done very well in some larger capacity unmentionables. But the larger bores/bullet guns are more efficient that the smaller RB guns.  However, F in a Brown Bess produces pretty poor velocity in my experience....

Dan

[Dphariss]

I started off shooting 2fg in a .54 because everything I read said that was the granulation to use. I had some accurate loads but about 25 years ago I made the switch to 3fg and never looked back.
My .54 has a Colerain barrel and it basically shoots everything pretty good. My normal hunting load is either 80 or 85 grains of 3fg, using a .018 patch that load shoots tight and I've never needed a heavier charge on deer and hogs yet.
Attached is a 50 yard target shot with 60 grains of Goex 3fg, notice I am using a .015 patch and the weave isn't nearly as tough a pillow ticking. When you load beyond 60 grains this patch begins to come apart but it sure load easy.
To me, felt recoil is less with 3fg than 2fg and that's another thing I like.

Very nice.

Dan

[Plateboater]