Is 60 grains of fffg enough?

[wolfe28]

I finally got a chance to take my "new" TC New Englander 50 cal. out to the range yesterday. Man was that a good time! I haven't shot a BP anything since I was a 15, and now I'm more inclined to take it to the range than some of my other guns. Lots of fun.

Anyway, I started with 50 grains of Goex FFFg powder, and was getting some fairly scattered patterns at 25 yards. I upped the powder charge to 60 grains, and now I'm shooting one hole groups (hornady .490 round ball, denim patch, CCI cap). Does that sound like a sufficient powder charge for this gun? I lube the patches with some TC lube designed for maxi's and patches, but they are still very tight in the bore.

Thanks a bunch.

D

 

[____hoot____]

Sure is, the 38-55 was thought of as the "ideal" deer gun in it's day; and that was burning 55 grains. I use 60 grains of powder in my 45 caliber CVA "Blazer" boys rifle behind a 158 grain sabot for a very deadly flat shooting deer load. You should be getting around 1650 fps with that loading with a 180 grain ball.

 

[arcticap]

The denim patches sounds like they're thick ones, but if you can still load it and get that kind of result, why change whatever works?

 

[Donny]

60 grains will do for target work but some might argue that you need more umph behind that ball for hunting deer. If your hunting with it try upping the charge a bit. Your pattern will open up so you have to strike a balance between power and how tight a pattern you want.

Don

 

[ArmedBear]

Isn't FFFG a bit fast-burning for a .50?

 

[Phillip Allen]

we always thought .50 with RB and FFFg was alright but with a conical you needed to use FFg...that was our tipping point

 

[Tbu61]

Neat thing about BP is the ability to adjust the load right on the spot.

An old timer taught me that Max velocity/efficiency was achieved when the rifle sounded with a "Crack" rather than a "Boom". Tried it with a Chrono and found out he wasn't too far off. More powder just went unburned and velocity didn't increase all that much.

Keep tinkering till the groups tighten up. FFFG is fine for patched Ball, Conicals offer more resistance and FFG is a better choice.

 

[Plink]

60 grains of 3F is the most accurate target load in my .54 New Englander. For hunting you might try in the 70-90 range. There seems to be a second sweet spot in that range that's almost as accurate as the 60 grain one. I'm glad the gun rekindled your interest in black powder. It's sure addictive, isn't it?

 

[wolfe28]

Absolutely a great time!

Thanks for all the replies. I talked to the folks at TC yesterday, mainly because I was curious how old my rifle really is. Turns out it was probably made around 1989. I also posed the above question to the folks there. As I was told, 3F does build more pressure than 2F, so a smaller charge will give me a decient amount of punch on my round ball. I'll probably stick with this load for target work, and if I get a chance to use a chrono, I'd love to see how fast it is moving.
I have also heard, from an oldtimer as well, about listening for the crack instead of the boom. If I get to the range and it is fairly empty, I'll take my muffs off and listen for it.
It was also suggested to me by the folks at TC to try the 320 or 370 maxi balls. They are supposed to be a great hunting load.

D

p.s. Yes, BP is extreemly addictive; I only wish TC made a .32 Caliber rifle for smaller game.

 

[Tbu61]

You can get a 32 barrel for your T/C.

Trackofthewolf.com supplies that service. Pricey but comparable to finding a used T/C barrel on e-bay.

you can also go .36 or .40 if you desire....

I am thinking about that for my Hawken.

 

[Phillip Allen]

don't shoot squirrels with a .40...even with light loads...been there, done that!

 

[Plink]

Head shots.

 

[Kimber1911_06238]

80-90 grains of FFG works for me

 

[Phillip Allen]

Plink, the only squirrel I ever shot with my .40 (flintlock) had his head disappear as if I had taken it off with a cleaver...literally!

 

[parmamoon]

That's ok,
You don't eat the head anyway!​

:





.

 

[RecoilRob]

The proper 'old time' method of shooting squirrels was to "bark" them. Shoot the limb underneath the victim...NOT the squirrel. The concussion and impact of the ball hitting their perch would kill them dead without destroying any meat. Might even tenderise them a tad....

 

[Steve499]

That barking a squirrel thing would be a good thing for the Mythbusters to try. I just doubt if that practice would be consistently successful enough to make it a viable option for someone to depend on it to produce supper.

My .32, loaded with 30 grains of fff, acts upon a squirrel's head as violently as does my .22 magnum with hollow points. Lighter powder charges could be used, I guess, but accuracy is most important and mine is most accurate at that charge weight.

Who says you don't eat the head??? Only reason I don't is it's usually GONE!

Steve