KABOOM if accidentally load T7 FFFG instead of FFG?

[Tallbald]

When using my hand cannon (not much of an exaggeration either), a wonderfully accurate and powerful CVA inline Optima V2 .50 caliber pistol, I worry about the risks of accidentally loading Triple Seven FFFG instead of FFG. I carry both to the range for different caliber guns. Would it be an automatic KABOOM if they DID get switched volume for volume? I'm used to the safety of my Ruger Old Army and limited chamber capacity, and yes I DO keep powders separated, read labels twice, and treat them with all the caution I used when administering medications as a nurse. But as we know, things can and do happen sometimes despite our best precautions.
Thoughts? Or is it a "maybe" type answer? I can't find where tests have been published when I try several different search phrases. Thanks as always folks. Don.

 

[frontiergander]

Not at all! What ever 2f load you are using now, cut it back 10 grains as 3f has more power behind it.

 

[Tallbald]

Hmm. I did not know that. Thank you. Don

 

[Rattus58]

When using my hand cannon (not much of an exaggeration either), a wonderfully accurate and powerful CVA inline Optima V2 .50 caliber pistol, I worry about the risks of accidentally loading Triple Seven FFFG instead of FFG. I carry both to the range for different caliber guns. Would it be an automatic KABOOM if they DID get switched volume for volume? I'm used to the safety of my Ruger Old Army and limited chamber capacity, and yes I DO keep powders separated, read labels twice, and treat them with all the caution I used when administering medications as a nurse. But as we know, things can and do happen sometimes despite our best precautions.
Thoughts? Or is it a "maybe" type answer? I can't find where tests have been published when I try several different search phrases. Thanks as always folks. Don.

No.

 

[Malachi Leviticus Blue]

That CVA Optima V2 can handle way more of a BP charge than it can effectively use. It is rated for up to 150 grains.

 

[MCgunner]

Depends on the charge. I load 70 grains of 777 3f in my CVA wolf and get 1800 fps abouts from it using a Hornady 385 grain Great Plains bullet. I don't go over 100 grains with anything and I suspect 777 3f would stress things with much more charge, don't know, but I get enough out of it and it's accurate.

 

[Tallbald]

Thank you all. I'm less worried but will still remain careful. Don

 

[EljaySL]

Yeah, people throw out different figures but 3F isn't dramatically different than 2F. It's maybe in line with the 10-15% differences you can get even between brands of real black powder, or with the more powerful substitutes. If you're nowhere near max load there's no safety concern although obviously if you went to the trouble of tuning your load you'll move yourself off your sweet spot and accuracy will suffer.

Obviously you should be careful about your powder type but it's less of a concern than getting distracted and double charging, or forgetting to adjust your measure going from a stronger to a weaker gun or any of the other things you should be careful about.

 

[Don McDowell]

Not likely to destroy a gun, but the recoil is likely to grab your attention real quick.

 

[david58]

I shoot traditional, so YMMV….
Each individual gun has its own horn and pouch. No mix and match at all. My guns can all take a boo boo mixup of 3F and 2F, but it doesn't help my attitude when I foul up and don't bring the right gear. But to maximize safety, accuracy, all that, I would recommend considering separate gear for each gun if you are using different powders.

 

[Noz]

Don't over think black powder/sub loading.
Very little performance difference between FFg and FFFg.
The usual result of an overload is unburnt powder on the snow.

 

[Slamfire]

I have never seen any data about whether the extra surface area of the finer black powder increases pressures. It makes sense that you would get a burn rate increase. I have switched from triple F to double F without any issues in muskets and pistols so I assume going the other direction is not an issue either.

 

[rodwha]

I certainly don't know myself, but I've read that 3F has a quicker pressure curve. If ~10% less 3F gives a similar velocity as 2F I'd think that the same charge of 3F would indeed increase the pressure too.

 

[Tallbald]

I'm a conservative loader and rarely even approach max loads. Based on the things I see posted here I'm comforted in the belief that should a booboo FFG/FFFG happen with the light loads I use, I may be OK. I appreciate the responses folks. Don.

 

[EljaySL]

re: surface area - don't forget that we measure by volume, and smaller particles pack tighter with less air in between. Think of the weight of a bucket of sand versus large rocks. There's just plain more black powder in a given volume of 3F versus 2F.

 

[snidervolley]

i once saw a video of cva pistol barrel loaded fully with black powder and pluged at each end and fuze lit , it did not explode but shot a extreme flame out of the touch hole

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

I shoot 3F in both the rifles,cap locks and flintlocks up to 62 caliber, and the pistols. Keeps it simple and works OK for me.

 

[rodwha]

I use the same 3F powder for both .44/.45 cal pistols and my .50 cal rifle. No worries on grabbing the wrong one and finding out when I get there. Makes it easier to keep stocked as well. The same powder flask and measure too.

And when I get around to purchasing a flintlock or two I'll use the same powder in the pan as I've read too many times that it works just as well.

 

[ontarget]

All of my BP arms use 3f also. No need to stock more than one type of powder so no mix ups. Rifles, revolvers, shotgun, all eat the same.

 

[snidervolley]

i have also used three f in a pinch on my .82 cal dragoon no problem