FFg in a Remington pistol?

[likesblackpowder]

Due to some confusion I have ended up with a can of FFg Pyrodex RS. From what I have seen everywhere FFFg is what is recommened for C&B pistols and most recently I have been shooting FFFg 777. I have not attempted to load the FFg in my revolver.

So I'm wondering what to do with this can of RS. Can I mix it in with FFFg for experimental mixtures? Is that insane? Homemade bottle rockets? I've noticed there's a thriving online community of amateur pyros out there making plenty of their own fireworks. I think I am just careful enough, and crazy, to think that's a fun hobby.

From what I have gathered the FFg is coarser and burns slower. This leads me to belive that it will produce more smoke and flame, but no damage if used in a pistol. Anyone able to set me straight on that? Seems like a well mixed load that is, say, 10g FFg and 20g FFFg wouldn't be a dangerous experiment, but I'd like to hear from the experts first. Maybe I should just buy a BP rifle and and use it for what it was made for!

Thanks! The knowledge and prompt information on this forum is amazing.

 

[gmatov]

Shoot it!

You might get a little less vevocity and "kick" but will do no harm. I don't think I would blend the 2 cans, just take twice as long to burn middle range powder.

No harm at all.

Cheers,

George

 

[RON in PA]

Don't waste that powder, use it. You'll get lower velocity and slightly more fouling, but it won't hurt anything.

 

[Beartracker]

Mixing even a small amount of powder is asking for a serious trouble. Some of the pros have done it in very small amounts for some testing of better ignition but they will be the first to tell you not to do it.
Alot of people use ffg is there revolver and say that they get more accuracy with it. Some people even use 2f in the 777 because if you use 3f 777 you have to cut down on the loads by 15% as much as you would use of 3f Goex black powder.

 

[Low Key]

I have some pyrodex RS for my BP rifle that I occasionally shoot in my pistol as well. No harm, lotsa fun. I shoot 40 gr of pyro RS in my 1858 remington and it has less recoil and noise than 40gr of fffg goex BP through the same gun. You're right about the slower burn rate, so I say shoot it and have fun with it.

 

[Smokin_Gun]

FFg BP works great you hardly notice a differance unless you are trying to make 2" groups at 25 yards. Go for it up it LiL!

Hell FFg is most all that's used in BP Cartridge Conversions anyway...

 

[Old Dragoon]

I use FFG Elephant BP in my '58 Rem C & B 35 Grns for CAS, 40 for a stiffer load. I use FFG Elephant in my 44 Rem Cartridge Conversion also. 30 Grns.

 

[Singing Bear]

2f Goex and Pyrodex RS is all I keep around my loading room. I use the grade in all my cap and ball revolvers as well as my CAS cartridge guns and shotguns. The only "off" grade I have is 4f for my flintlocks. Use it and have fun.

 

[Smokin_Gun]

The Mixing powders is Insane...you are quite correct.

 

[gmatov]

That's a little harsh, on the mixing of BP. Mixing smokeless, yeah, they have different burn rates engineered in.

I don't think you can find a can of BP that isn't mixed granulations. Just from the shaking of the powder in transportation, you're gonna get some fines, 4f stuff in the can. They screen this stuff through specific meshes, I was looking at a site last night, will have to find it again, that XX% has to pass this sieve, XX has to pass that sieve, XX has to pass another sieve to be that size.

I think the numbers were something like .0058 granules to be one size, .0065 to be another, .0075 to be Fg. Don't quote me.

They go by the biggest granules that will fit the sieve, or mesh. Just agitating the sieve will break the granules down so some fines get through.

None of them, by BATFE rule, can burn at over 14 cm3/s.

Look at this site, tell me if this means what I think it does:
FFFg 20 mesh 3% held 50 mesh 12% pass

http://members.aol.com/illinewek/faqs/bptypes.htm

I THINK it means that the powder passes 12%, the fines, then they sieve the same and it holds 3% of the rest, that is what you buy as 3f.
I can't find the site with specific sizes of granules, will keep looking.

Regardless, the granules are not all .005 in size, they're a mixture, whether from manufacture or shipping abrasion.

And, the rate of burn, 2f and 3f is not all that different. You won't blow up your gun if you mix the 2.

Cheers,

George