1884 45-70

[mark01]

I have a reloading question about black powder. I am planning to reload in the near future and I know they say to use ffg powder what I am wondering can I use fffg instead ? Maybe using less powder and some kind of filler? I have a few cans of it and sure would like to use it. If any one knows the measurments I would love to hear it ... thanks to all

 

[Curator]

I use both FFg and FFFg black powder for .45-70 loads. I prefer the 3F for lighter bullets and reduced loads. One of my favorite loads for my trapdoor carbine is the lee .405 bullet and 55 grains of FFFg. I use a 3/8 fiber wad between powder charge and bullet base to take up the empty space in the cartridge case. I also load a special 3-ball load using .457 roundballs and 40 grains of FFFg with a 1/8" card wad between the powder and balls. Hardly and recoil and impressive triangle groups at 50 yards. I prefer FFg for full-charge loads with either the 405, 450, or 500 grain bullets.

 

[Don McDowell]

Yes you can use 3f. It will burn hotter, and leave you a drier fouling that may cause you problems if you get haphazard about your fouling control, and or use a poor lube.

Depending on what bullet you're loading, but 70 grs of either powder isn't a bad place to start.

 

[mark01]

45-70

Thanks for the reply. I sure don't want to blow up the old gun and I don't want to buy a whole case of bp.