Black Powder for Lyman .44 Cal Revolver

fishhead1 · August 14, 2013, 06:10 PM

OK. Went hunting the other day for powder for my Lyman .44 cal BP revolver that I plan to start shooting again (have a thread recently posted on this topic). As luck would have it, the LGS that I visited, which is usually pretty well stocked, was out of FFFG powder (who would have thunk it?). They did have one container of FFG powder, however. One of the young clerks suggested that I try Walmart, because they were restocking their hunting supplies (says he). Went from there to the local Walmart. Surprisingly, they had loads of FFG powder, but, again, no FFFG. Someone on the other thread I have posted in this same forum suggested that either FFFG or FFG powder would work equally as well. My old Lyman Reloading handbook recommends FFFG. However, if FFG powder will, in fact, work as well (or almost as well) as FFFG, I'm all for trying it, especially since the FFFG powder is non-obtainium, at least in these parts. Any thoughts on that?
Also, what would be a good starting charge for the FFG powder? And how 'bout some of the "substutute" black powder products I've been reading about?

Hawg · August 14, 2013, 07:03 PM

FFG will work fine. 25-35 grains will work well.

44 Dave · August 14, 2013, 09:23 PM

The REAL BLACK POWDER at a Walmart, got to have special storage for that stuff, do they still sell dynamite in the hardware stores in your town?
I quit fishin' when they didn't sell it here any more!

mykeal · August 14, 2013, 10:17 PM

Fishing with dynamite is illegal.

n5lyc · August 15, 2013, 12:08 AM

Mykeal, you know the joke..

You gonna write me a ticket or fish?

Oh, and it is illegal only if you get caught..

Cop didn't see it, I didn't do it...

(I used to be a cop)

Hawg · August 15, 2013, 04:22 AM

I always just called the fish up on a phone.

mykeal · August 15, 2013, 06:31 AM

Had a friend who decided to try fishing with dynamite. On a lake. Took his rowboat out to the dropoff, then stood up to get good distance when he thew it. Fell out of the boat on the follow through. Got good distance on the throw, so he didn't get hurt, but he didn't get any fish either. The laughter from all his friends on shore convinced him to stick to rods & reels.

g.willikers · August 15, 2013, 10:33 AM

And now, back to our regularly scheduled broadcast - and answering the OP's question:
Since no one stocks anything for us BP pistoleros, around here, FF is all that's ever been available.
And not even BP, but Pyrodex and Triple 7.
And they work just fine.

fishhead1 · August 15, 2013, 07:42 PM

Thanks much, guys (and, yea, I'm familiar with the joke).

August 14, 2013, 06:10 PM	#1
fishhead1 Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 134	Black Powder for Lyman .44 Cal Revolver OK. Went hunting the other day for powder for my Lyman .44 cal BP revolver that I plan to start shooting again (have a thread recently posted on this topic). As luck would have it, the LGS that I visited, which is usually pretty well stocked, was out of FFFG powder (who would have thunk it?). They did have one container of FFG powder, however. One of the young clerks suggested that I try Walmart, because they were restocking their hunting supplies (says he). Went from there to the local Walmart. Surprisingly, they had loads of FFG powder, but, again, no FFFG. Someone on the other thread I have posted in this same forum suggested that either FFFG or FFG powder would work equally as well. My old Lyman Reloading handbook recommends FFFG. However, if FFG powder will, in fact, work as well (or almost as well) as FFFG, I'm all for trying it, especially since the FFFG powder is non-obtainium, at least in these parts. Any thoughts on that? Also, what would be a good starting charge for the FFG powder? And how 'bout some of the "substutute" black powder products I've been reading about?

August 15, 2013, 12:08 AM	#5
n5lyc Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2009 Posts: 180	Mykeal, you know the joke.. You gonna write me a ticket or fish? Oh, and it is illegal only if you get caught.. Cop didn't see it, I didn't do it... (I used to be a cop) __________________ I make 2 predictions: ON THE DATE WHEN US TROOPS ARE ISSUED AN Energy Pulse Weapon, 1. The US Soldier will have on his person a version of the Colt 1911. 2. He will be aiming the NEW Weapon at someone carrying an AK.

August 15, 2013, 10:33 AM	#8
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	And now, back to our regularly scheduled broadcast - and answering the OP's question: Since no one stocks anything for us BP pistoleros, around here, FF is all that's ever been available. And not even BP, but Pyrodex and Triple 7. And they work just fine. __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

August 15, 2013, 07:42 PM	#9
fishhead1 Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 134	Thanks much, guys (and, yea, I'm familiar with the joke). Last edited by fishhead1; August 15, 2013 at 07:48 PM.

August 14, 2013, 07:03 PM	#2
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,189	FFG will work fine. 25-35 grains will work well.

August 14, 2013, 09:23 PM	#3
44 Dave Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2013 Posts: 584	The REAL BLACK POWDER at a Walmart, got to have special storage for that stuff, do they still sell dynamite in the hardware stores in your town? I quit fishin' when they didn't sell it here any more!

August 14, 2013, 10:17 PM	#4
mykeal Senior Member Join Date: October 8, 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 2,772	Fishing with dynamite is illegal.

August 15, 2013, 04:22 AM	#6
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,189	I always just called the fish up on a phone.

August 15, 2013, 06:31 AM	#7
mykeal Senior Member Join Date: October 8, 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 2,772	Had a friend who decided to try fishing with dynamite. On a lake. Took his rowboat out to the dropoff, then stood up to get good distance when he thew it. Fell out of the boat on the follow through. Got good distance on the throw, so he didn't get hurt, but he didn't get any fish either. The laughter from all his friends on shore convinced him to stick to rods & reels.