blackpowder which one ?????

[Luke]

hey guys ive always shot a precussion gun now that im trying to build a flint lock what powder,all these fffgggggs confuse me so ill ask the experts,and do i half to use two diffrent grains for the pan and the main charge,thanks guys

[Roger Fisher]

2 or 3 f in breech and 3 or 4 f in pan.   this is the usual.  Remember. the bigger the number the finer (smaller)) the grain,.

[LH]

just about all the flintlockers I know use fffg for the main charge and ffffg or nullB for the prime

[Ezra]

I use 3f as the main charge and the pan.

Ez

[Kermit]

Most of my flinters get FFFg. Fowling pieces get FFg. I would probably prime with the same powder, but some years ago in some kind of fit, I bought 3lbs of 4f. Still using it up, but doubt I'll buy more wnen it's gone--assuming I'm still above ground and shooting.

[Standing Bear]

U need to do some experimenting.  For consistancy, I found Goex FFg (the g indicates a graphite coating) as the main charge and FFFFg to prime works best in my flinters - .40 to .54.  I have not had any Swiss, Null B or 7Fg to try.

If you are just bangin' away, well most any real BP will do.
TC

[Jerry V Lape]

There is a rule of thumb which provides a good starting point for you.  Up to .50 cal FFFg and above .50 cal FFg.  However there is nothing says you can't vary that if your rifle wants it for a more accurate load.  I shoot a .54 cal and find FFg works well, especially in a heavier load used for elk.  And FFFg seems to work a little better for me in light target loads.  The use of specialized priming powder is most likely not historically correct.  But those shooting target might get a little edge with respect to quicker ignition (theoritically).  I usually don't bother with it as a hunter, just priming with what I carry.  So you can begin with just one granulation and work with that until something else proves better for you.  If you want to try FFFFg or Null B which are powders for priming only as they are far to quick for main charges I am sure someone in your club will give you a little as a 1lb can is about enough for 10 years.  

If the accuracy is the same choose the coarser powder for your main charge as the pressure will be lower with virtually the same velocity.   I have used both GOEX brand and Swiss.  I prefer the Swiss and even though it is a little more expensive per lb, I get more shots per pound because I can cut the load back by approx 13% and get the same impact point so these two brands are approximately equal in price per shot. 

[SCLoyalist]

Your choice of priming powder as well as the amount you put in the pan and where you bank the powder in the pan can all affect ignition time.    You want to be unable to distinguish between the pan flaring and the main charge going boom.   If you can detect a time difference, that means you have had time to react and either flinch or take your attention off your front sight and your shot probably is not going quite where you aimed it.     There's no doubt that you can prime with the 2F or 3F you use as your main charge and get ignition, but you may get quicker ignition with a finer powder.   There seems to be a lot of doubt that back in the old days they primed with anything but the same powder out of the same horn as the main charge.   

Larry Pletcher is probably the best source of info on getting fastest ignition.  Go to Blackpowdermag.com and look for links to 'Featured Articles' and look at the articles there, especially the priming powder timing ones.   

 

[axelp]

I use FF and sometimes FFF for my 45 cal and up to 62 cal. I prime with FFFF unless it is moist outside and I prime with FF or FFF (whatever is in my main horn) if the weather is wetter.... FFFF can absorb moisture in the air moreso than FF and FFF.

K

[hanshi]

I use 3F in the bore for everything from .32 to .62 except for a few specific loads that use 2F.  I prime with 4F but have been priming with 3F recently due to having a small supply that's contaminated with sweepings.  I use to say I couldn't tell a difference but now after priming with 3F for a good while I can, on average, detect a tendency to be slower than my usual 4F.  Still, I find either just fine for priming.

[bgf]

I use 3fg in both barrel and pan a lot of the time, esp. in the woods, just because I'm lazy.  I have also used both 2Fg in barrel and pan for the same reason or because I forgot priming powder.  It works and is not a major handicap, although difference b/t 3f and 2f in pan is noticeable sometimes.

For target matches, 4f, 7f or NullB (which I haven't tried but am sure it will work) is a little faster in the pan and can give you that "edge".  It isn't huge, but it can help especially if you are shooting well .

[Dphariss]

hey guys ive always shot a precussion gun now that im trying to build a flint lock what powder,all these fffgggggs confuse me so ill ask the experts,and do i half to use two diffrent grains for the pan and the main charge,thanks guys

FFFF is twice as fast as FFF, which is twice s fast as FF with is twice FG.
Now this does not equate to double pressure. Its based on the fact that BP is a surface burning propellant and that FFF has about twice the surface area of FF.
In the pan. FFFF is faster that FFF and easier to light. Swiss Null B is faster than FFFF. Easier to light, faster heat rise, finer powders work better in the pan. From actual electronic testing.

http://www.blackpowdermag.com/featured-articles/index.php

If you sorth through and read all the flintlock related articles it will increase your understanding. The Slo-M videos are very illustrative as to why a FL is not as fast as a percussion. So explore the site. Its got a lot of material collected over decades.

http://www.laflinandrand.com/page3.htm
Will detail powder making and discuss the various powder brands.
Again this is the work of decades.

Dan

[ken]

You can use 2f in any thing over a 45cal. 3f in all below that., and in the 45cal. 4f in the pan. All grains will work in the pan But I prefer 4f for target and 3f for hunting.  Never 4f down the barrel to much pressure.  Good luck hope this helps!!