Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Muzzleloader Hunting => Topic started by: h2ofowlr on September 26, 2012, 01:13:39 PM

Title: 2F or 3F for the .50 cal.
Post by: h2ofowlr on September 26, 2012, 01:13:39 PM: I see some guys using 3F and some using 2F for a .50 cal. What is your preference if you still use loose powder?
Title: Re: 2F or 3F for the .50 cal.
Post by: LiveandLearn on September 26, 2012, 01:19:09 PM: 2f for me.
Title: Re: 2F or 3F for the .50 cal.
Post by: Heredoggydoggy on September 26, 2012, 01:26:42 PM: 2F for me, too. 3F would work, as the F-number is just the granule size, A grain of powder is a grain of powder, whether it's 8 granules of 2F or 16 granules of 3F.

Rule of thumb: 1F=Cannon Powder, 2F=Rifle Powder, 3F=Pistol Powder, 4F=Primer Pan Powder (for Flintlocks).
Title: Re: 2F or 3F for the .50 cal.
Post by: whacker1 on September 26, 2012, 02:18:29 PM: Quote from: Heredoggydoggy on September 26, 2012, 01:26:42 PM
2F for me, too. 3F would work, as the F-number is just the granule size, A grain of powder is a grain of powder, whether it's 8 granules of 2F or 16 granules of 3F.

Rule of thumb: 1F=Cannon Powder, 2F=Rifle Powder, 3F=Pistol Powder, 4F=Primer Pan Powder (for Flintlocks).

The 3F burns a little faster and hotter hence the reference to Pistol Powder. I shoot a Remington .54 and have found that the 3F works better with my current set up.
I shoot 80 grains of 3F 777 with 275 grain Barnes Expander. I was putting together 1/2" - 2 shot groups on Sunday at 103 yards, which is the best I have have ever done with a peep sight.

Most people shoot 2F, but shoot more powder at 100-150 grains. It really is about finding what your gun prefers. 2f is definitely better with the longer barrels in both in-lines and side lock muzzleloaders.

Just my 2 cents from the last 8-10 years. take it for what it is worth.
Title: Re: 2F or 3F for the .50 cal.
Post by: Sabotloader on September 26, 2012, 03:19:00 PM: Quote from: h2ofowlr on September 26, 2012, 01:13:39 PM
I see some guys using 3F and some using 2F for a .50 cal. What is your preference if you still use loose powder?

I use T7-3f in all of my percussion guns because it ignites easier than does 2f - especially at sub zero temeratures. If I was not hunting in these colder temps 2f would work just fine...
Title: Re: 2F or 3F for the .50 cal.
Post by: h2ofowlr on September 26, 2012, 09:31:43 PM: A split decision. I have both in black powder, I will have to try it in Pyrodex.
Title: Re: 2F or 3F for the .50 cal.
Post by: robescc on September 29, 2012, 01:42:12 PM: I use to use 2f in my Lyman but I had too many misfires and hangfires. I switched to triple7 3f and it fires every time.
Title: Re: 2F or 3F for the .50 cal.
Post by: carpsniperg2 on September 29, 2012, 02:17:43 PM: I use to use the old pyro RS and had really good luck with it. I switched to t7 fffg 2 years ago and had good luck with it. It shoots so much cleaner but I did feel like I got a little better groups with my RS.
Title: Re: 2F or 3F for the .50 cal.
Post by: robescc on September 29, 2012, 03:15:20 PM: I use to use 2f in my Lyman but I had too many misfires and hangfires. I switched to triple7 3f and it fires every time.
Title: Re: 2F or 3F for the .50 cal.
Post by: BigGoonTuna on September 30, 2012, 09:16:02 AM: i had been shooting T7 FFg in my bighorn, and picked up a can of FFFg to try. only difference seemed to be slightly "sharper" recoil and a little bit improved accuracy. both seem to be dead reliable with #11 mag caps(i haven't had a single misfire in all my target shooting/sight-in since i've started using T7).

i'm really considering buying a scope and really dialing in my load next year, but being able to consistently nail an 8" target at around 100 yards off the sticks(and usually off-hand) seems plenty accurate for me.