August 19, 2012, 06:32 AM | #1 |
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.45-70 and 3FG
Hi!
I'm fairly new to (re)loading blackpowder cartridges, my question is if I can use slightly compressed Swiss 3FG in the .45-70, instead of 2FG? I shoot muzzleloaders and use 3FG in all of my rifles all the time, .54 and .58 included because it burns a LOT cleaner, ignites much better and gives 50% better accuracy than with the 2FG. Especially when using soft lead conicals that need expansion to engage the rifling 3FG does a so much better job. BUT, most people say that anything larger than 40 is 2FG territory only and I'm afraid of getting overpressure with 3FG in a huge BP cartridge pushing some 400-500 grainers. Opinions? Thanks! |
August 19, 2012, 08:30 AM | #2 |
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My reply should not be regarded as from experience with loading cartridges.
I am an avid muzzle loader shooter. In a muzzle loader your load would be just fine. I have never loaded, or even shot, a bp cartridge of any kind. But, from what I know about guns, if your rifle is modern and well made the pressures should be well within tolerable/safety ranges. Interesting question. I'll be following this thread. |
August 19, 2012, 03:35 PM | #3 |
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It's not going to hurt anything but I'll argue the 50% increase in accuracy.
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August 19, 2012, 04:51 PM | #4 |
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You wouldn't be the first to try it
Moloch,
You certainly wouldn't be the first to try it. In the end, you have to find what your gun likes the best, so try it out! Cheers, Chowmi |
August 19, 2012, 05:09 PM | #5 |
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You will most likely find that the 45s like 2F far better than 3F,
and 1F compressed 1/8-1/5" over a large pistol primer/under a milk carton card wad best of all. |
August 19, 2012, 10:43 PM | #6 |
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A lot of people load .45-70 with FFFg in search of "clean burning", higher velocity, or better accuracy in their rifle.
I might not push a shackledy Trapdoor with it but any stronger action will be fine. I tried Goex FFFg in lieu of Swiss 1 1/2 and got higher velocity but poorer accuracy. Maybe Swiss 3F is better. |
August 19, 2012, 10:55 PM | #7 |
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I tried it when I first started loading more my Sharps, then an older timer had me try Swiss 1.5 my rifle likes it so that's all I use, even my 50,54 & 58 front loaders like it.
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August 20, 2012, 07:31 PM | #8 |
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Thanks for the replies guys! So its safe to use 3FG in the .45-70 but it may not be the best choice for accuracy - guess I have to do some extensive testing!
But really bad accuracy would surprise me, all my guns love 3FG and shoot great with it. By the way, whats the purpose of a wad between powder and bullet? To protect the base and act kind of like a gas-check? Is this really necessary with ordinary low pressure blackpowder? I don't use any wads in my muzzlelaoders, I tried but they don't react well to any kind of lubed wadding behind the bullet, accuracy usually goes to hell. Last edited by Moloch; August 20, 2012 at 07:37 PM. |
August 20, 2012, 08:56 PM | #9 |
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I used heavily compressed Pyrodex RS in my 45-70 without a wad. Accuracy was very good. It was better with the 405 grainers than the 500 tho.
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August 20, 2012, 11:03 PM | #10 |
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Just wondering.
I havent been shooting my sharps rifles much until recently. I still have some Goex cartridge black powder that I bought several years back that I have been using. Do they no longer make the cartridge powder? As I said, I have been out of touch for quite awhile and just recently started shooting my black powder cartridge and muzzleloader guns again.
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August 21, 2012, 09:05 AM | #11 |
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They quit making it. It was a mix of 2F and 3F.
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August 21, 2012, 09:14 AM | #12 |
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Screen analysis on the Shiloh board shows it awful close to FFg.
http://www.shilohrifle.com/forums/vi...hp?f=5&t=19645 No matter, it is gone, and even worse, so is Express. Hodgdon bought out Goex and pared back the product lineup considerably. |
August 21, 2012, 09:22 AM | #13 |
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Thanks Hawg. I never knew what GOEX cartridge powder was until you mentioned it.
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August 30, 2012, 10:55 AM | #14 | |||
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September 1, 2012, 12:54 PM | #15 |
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There are folks that use 3F in 45-90's. I use 15 gr of 3F under 92 gr of 1F in my 45-110.
The only real no-no in a cartridge is 4F or finer (if there is such a thing, or someone makes some), I have shot 85 gr loads of 3F in my 45-90 Shiloh. It truly is about the accuracy. Most folks use 1F in 45-100's or above 2F in 70's and 90's and 3F in smaller cases. Folks use Swiss 1.5 in 70's and 90's. |
September 1, 2012, 01:02 PM | #16 | |
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drcook, good info.
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September 1, 2012, 04:00 PM | #17 |
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i think thats fire cracker powder,a little more than dust. eastbank.
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September 3, 2012, 12:54 PM | #18 | |
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