Newbie question

ryatola · March 31, 2025, 12:27 PM

Hi all, first time posting on this forum, very new to black powder in general and any type of reloading in particular.

I've acquired a MAS 1873 revolver along with the H&C Collections reloading kit (https://www.hc-collection.com/full-k...ver-c2x2382349). Finding black powder where I live wasn't easy and the best I could do was Hodgdon Triple 7 and I had the choice between FFG and FFFG and I opted for the FFFG (without really doing adequate research).

The questions I'm hoping this fine community can help me with is whether I should avoid this powder in general (as the company says not to use it in cartridges) or if I should use it but try to download it by 15% (if so, does anyone have any advice on good fillers?) or lastly, is it probably safe to use since these revolvers have a reputation for being pretty over built and robust.

Apologies if this has been discussed elsewhere and I missed it. Thanks!

mehavey · March 31, 2025, 06:19 PM

Hodgdon does list cartridge data for Triple-7 2FG (FFg or TWO-Fg) ONLY.
See
https://shop.hodgdon.com/shop-all/?_...llant&brand=49
Triple-7/Quickview/Muzzleloader Data

Hellgate · March 31, 2025, 08:26 PM

ryatola,
Is the pistol rated for .357 magnum or just 38 special or some other caliber? I shoot 777 fffg size all the time in my .357 pistols and rifles. I am not at all worried about excessive pressures since the .357 is a high intensity/pressure caliber. A much weaker action might not hold up to the pressures. So what caliber is your gun?

mehavey · March 31, 2025, 09:32 PM

We're talking an 1873-87 pistol.
Unless it's bored out, the revolver is 11mm(x17.8mmR) and a relatively low 20,000 psi max

ryatola · March 31, 2025, 10:54 PM

Yup mehavey, it's from 1880 and it's in the original caliber so 11mm. I will check and see if the place I bought the 3FG still has any 2FG left and if so I'll eat it and buy a jar of that too and then I won't have to worry. Thanks for the responses!

March 31, 2025, 12:27 PM	#1
ryatola Junior Member Join Date: March 28, 2025 Posts: 2	Newbie question Hi all, first time posting on this forum, very new to black powder in general and any type of reloading in particular. I've acquired a MAS 1873 revolver along with the H&C Collections reloading kit (https://www.hc-collection.com/full-k...ver-c2x2382349). Finding black powder where I live wasn't easy and the best I could do was Hodgdon Triple 7 and I had the choice between FFG and FFFG and I opted for the FFFG (without really doing adequate research). The questions I'm hoping this fine community can help me with is whether I should avoid this powder in general (as the company says not to use it in cartridges) or if I should use it but try to download it by 15% (if so, does anyone have any advice on good fillers?) or lastly, is it probably safe to use since these revolvers have a reputation for being pretty over built and robust. Apologies if this has been discussed elsewhere and I missed it. Thanks! Last edited by ryatola; March 31, 2025 at 01:11 PM.

March 31, 2025, 08:26 PM	#3
Hellgate Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2010 Location: Orygun Posts: 881	ryatola, Is the pistol rated for .357 magnum or just 38 special or some other caliber? I shoot 777 fffg size all the time in my .357 pistols and rifles. I am not at all worried about excessive pressures since the .357 is a high intensity/pressure caliber. A much weaker action might not hold up to the pressures. So what caliber is your gun? __________________ With over 15 perCUSSIN' revolvers, I've been called the Imelda Marcos of cap & ball. SASS#3302 (Life), SASS Regulator, NRA (Life), Dirty Gamey Bastards #129 Wolverton Mtn. Peacekeepers (WA), former Orygun Cowboy (Ranger, Posse from Hell)

March 31, 2025, 06:19 PM	#2
mehavey Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 7,207	Hodgdon does list cartridge data for Triple-7 2FG (FFg or TWO-Fg) ONLY. See https://shop.hodgdon.com/shop-all/?_...llant&brand=49 Triple-7/Quickview/Muzzleloader Data

March 31, 2025, 09:32 PM	#4
mehavey Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 7,207	We're talking an 1873-87 pistol. Unless it's bored out, the revolver is 11mm(x17.8mmR) and a relatively low 20,000 psi max

March 31, 2025, 10:54 PM	#5
ryatola Junior Member Join Date: March 28, 2025 Posts: 2	Yup mehavey, it's from 1880 and it's in the original caliber so 11mm. I will check and see if the place I bought the 3FG still has any 2FG left and if so I'll eat it and buy a jar of that too and then I won't have to worry. Thanks for the responses!