3f for a .54?

[PEARL DRUMS]

I have a .54 Woodsrunner. I shoot 80 grains of Schuetzen 3F. .530 ball and .018 patch. I just bought 4# of Swiss 3F and will probably work up a load with it for deer hunting. For what it’s worth? I don’t own any brand of powder that isn’t 3F. A very wise man told me to use it in every rifle. Recoil isn’t a factor for me. I enjoy it.

[Wingshot]

Sold my GPR begrudgingly because it was such a shooter but it was collecting dust and the OEM lock was about cooked. Got $600  for it, guy will install an RPL lock and probably get another lifetime of good shooting. Darn gun was HEAVY, and I’m a foot hunter.

[Prairie dog shooter]

I shoot 3-f  Goex in my 54 cal Rice barrel.  530 ball - pocket drill patching.  90 grain loads for hunting, 70 grains for targets.  I started with 2-f but the 3-f gives faster ignition.

[Fred Hembree]

This is a good discussion as I’ve always been told that you are supposed to use 2f in .54 caliber but seems I see and hear of several folks using 3f in them.

[Wingshot]

This is a good discussion as I’ve always been told that you are supposed to use 2f in .54 caliber but seems I see and hear of several folks using 3f in them.

Basically what prompted me to start the conversation, I agree that ignition does seem a split second quicker and recoil hasn’t bothered me in the least. I am shooting a Woodsrunner which has shotgun style butt which is what I find to be comfortable. I’m going to continue to experiment with various charges, patch/ball combos as well as more off hand shooting. The WR is my deer gun this season and I’m working to get as good as I can get with it.

[duca]

I’ve been shooting both .520 end .530 ball out of my 54 caliber woodsrunner with good success. I’ve been using 2F powder and shooting about 70 - 75 grains.
At 50 yrds

[Flintandsmoke]

For my .54 smoothbore I run 42gr of 3f with a .535 and a .018 patch, puts together pretty good groups at 25yd