2f black powder vs. 4f?

[Will52100]

I have an 1885 Ubertia High Wall in 45/70.  I am curently loading with cast 500 grain bullets and 2f Goex black powder.

I love the way the gun shoots, but am wondering if I can boost velocity by loading with 4f powder.  Will it make a differance, or will it be unsafe, or inacurate?

Thanks, this is my first reloading experiance.

Oh yea, I'm useing the Lyman 310 loading tool, don't have a bench setup

[Cuts Crooked]

Howdy Will,

Best I can tell ya is that 4F will give you LOUSY accuracy! It's intended purpose, setting off flinters, is about all it's good for. The long and short of it is the stuff is not graded witht he care that the other powders are and pressures go all over the place when used as a propellant.

If you wanna squeeze a bit more outta that shootin iron try 3F, I've used it in 45-70 with some success.

[Double D]

Why don't you try Swiss FFg instead of the Goex if you looking for a little more energetic powder?

[HWooldridge]

Don't use 4F except as a priming powder in flintlocks.  I use both 2F and 3F in my Shiloh 45-70 and the 3F is shoots cleaner with less fouling.  If you are not limited by match competition rules, you can also use a small charge of smokeless under the black to make a duplex load (no more than 10% and reduce the black accordingly).  I load 65gr of 3F over 5 grs of IMR4227 and a 500 gr bullet.  This is pretty hot and shoots about like a 45-90, which is plenty of wallop on the shoulder.

[Will52100]

Thanks, kinda figured but thought I'd check on it.

I don't have ready acess to swiss powder, the local hunting/sporting goods store handles Goex.  There talking about discontinueing black altogether due to leagal headackes though, and I may have to start ordering powder or else make my own.

I thought of a duplex load, but I'm trying to keep this as simple as posible, I realy don't care for reloading, but I love shooting black powder and old fashioned guns.

Thanks for all your help,

[Double D]

Getting black powder isn't always the easiest thing to do.

If you don't have a Blackpowder gunshop in the area look for a Blackpowder oriented gun club. It may be reenactors, cowboy shooters or the "Ron-de-voo" folks. They usually order and sell powder in bulk for members.

You can order in bulk from the distributor yourself, but they sell in 25 lbs lots. They sometimes will mix sizes with in brands. Here is a listing of those folks that we keep posted over on the Black Powder Mortar and Cannon board. (Blatant commercial plug for our board
)

Powder

http://www.elephantblackpowder.com./   Main link leading to
http://www.schuetzenpowder.com/Sporting/sporting.html (click on distributors, then click on the distributor in your area)
http://www.powderinc.com/index.shtml Powder Inc offers shipments in five pound lots
http://www.goexpowder.com/
http://www.mainepowderhouse.com/
Back Creek Gun Shop, Winchester, Va. 540-888-3349


Powder Inc. is a good option for those who don't want to buy 25 pounds They will sell and ship you 5 pounds.  Keep in mind shipping cost will be high, but at least you will be able to get powder.

Back Street Gun shop is a major distributor and is located adjacent to the N-SSA national grounds at Ft. Shiloh, near Winchester VA

[Peddler Parsons]

I use 60 grains of 777 with a 515 gr bullet, but I like my duplex load of 5grs of 4227 and 58 grs of Cleanshot with cookie shoots cleaner and flater, grreat for hunting too /  Predisole (?) Sharps 45/70   :-)

[Will52100]

Thanks guys, right now I think I'll use up whats left of my 2f, then stick with 3, that way I have the same power for rifle and colt percussion guns.

I'm getting 2" 5 shot groups right now at 200 yard with the buck horn sights, cant wait to get the screws for my peep sight!  they were all touching but kinda stagered.

One thing I've been doing is after cleaning to give the bore a liberal swab of bore butter.  Don't know if it's been helping, but clean-up is a breaze.

[ButlerFord45]

Will, that is some awsome shootin!  If I could do that well with barrel mounted sights at 100, I'd be Bambi's worst nightmare!  Seriously, I'm looking forward to hearing how ya do when you get a good sight mounted!

[Will52100]

Thanks Butler, should mention that that was from a rest, and best group of the day. Off hand was more like 3 feet.  Big heavy barrels a little wiggly :-D

[Cuts Crooked]

Love shootin them big bores! :-D  

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