WHICH PATTERNS BETTER IN A FLINTLOCK SMOOTHBORE? 1F OR 2F?

[@kyle_sv_xanthus]

Interesting video, Bob. You should try with 3F as well. Conventional wisdom seems to be to use coarser powder for shot, but I find 75gr of 3F behind an ounce and a quarter of #5 shot wadded on both sides with tow shoots best in my 20 gauge, and that's my squirrel load. Likewise 90gr of 3F behind a .610 ball wadded before and after with tow is my target and deer load, and will put 2.5 to 3 inch groups on paper at 50 yards every time.

[@BlackPowderTV]

I've used 3f with several of my .62 smoothbores and get the results you describe. I guess I need to do a followup video called "2f or 3f for shot". Thanks Kyle!

[@lexheath9075]

My match lock wants 110gr 3F for round all and 90 for #3 steel shot.

[@timwarnecke9889]

These experimental vlogs are great!

[@BlackPowderTV]

Thanks Tim!

[@SteveAubrey1762]

This WAS very interesting. I don't think I've ever actually seen 1Fg powder, although I've heard of it naturally. I've been into muzzleloading since 1993 and one thing I have learned over the years is every single muzzleloader is an individual. You have to find each gun's "pet" load. What works in one gun might not necessarily provide optimum performance in the next gun. This shows that very well.

[@Muggsy1776]

For hunting I use 3f for faster ignition. Been quite successful at bird hunting and get great patterns.

[@BlackPowderTV]

3f works well too. I use it in some of my 20 bores. 👍🏻

[@blackpowdermaniacshooter]

Excellent test. Never tried 1F powder before, however, I'm very happy using the 2F Swiss in my 62 caliber smoothbore. Good shooting with you & Steven yesterday. We need to do that again sometime...

[@BlackPowderTV]

Thanks Mark! Get another shoot day on the schedule when you get time! I’m always ready!

[@blackpowdermaniacshooter]

@@BlackPowderTV You're on my friend.......

[@jameskirby1226]

Any video on you guys shooting always love you guys videos Happy Shooting guys.

[@BlackPowderTV]

Lots of footage coming soon!

[@jameskirby1226]

@@BlackPowderTV YES👍

[@seantierney3]

that is a significant drop in pellets on target. when I patterned loads because my trap team wanted to shoot black powder one night I found the best pastern with fg, ffg was pretty close to my regular shotshells, and fffg caused the pastern to open up significantly. but that is why you need to work up loads for specific guns I guess.

[@BlackPowderTV]

Thanks for the comment Sean. It is a significant drop. In my Kettenburg Early Bucks 12 bore I had more shot on target with 1f. Everything’s different as you say. I’ve always had good luck with low pressure when shooting shot myself. Thanks again!

[@roddboyer5555]

More testing, more smoke! It's all good!!!

[@mikemcguire441]

Very interesting demo. Really need a semi-auto pistol to shoot at your bench? Keep 'em coming!

[@BlackPowderTV]

Lol. The pistol goes everywhere with me, without exception. We have roaring herds of rabid Coyotes around here. 😉 That said, it’s usually tucked away.

[@Snap4590]

Bob - Great video. In my experience there is a big difference in velocity and I would assume energy, between Swiss 2F & 1F Schuetzen. You may have gotten closer results if you had used 1F Swiss instead. Keep up the good work!!

[@BlackPowderTV]

Hey Snap, I agree. I like the low energy Schuetzen for my 12 bore so I was comparing what I use regularly. Thanks for the comment!

[@olskool3967]

good video as always Bob!

[@BlackPowderTV]

Thanks Olskool. 👍🏻

[@homemadehistory7537]

That was a nice video 👍😁 and on perfect time. Cos I sill work on my double barrel flintlock shotgun 20 gauge. So when I am ready I will need your results for sure. Thanks a lot....

[@BlackPowderTV]

Thanks! The double is coming along! It looks great!

[@cliffordnewby6092]

Also in certain calibers that like lets say 2f if you substitute to lets say 11/2f you need a little extra powder for larger grain size usually. It is and ain't a exact science.

[@wadepatton2433]

Oh darn, you mixed in the German powder. Doesn't Swiss also have a 1.5F? I would be a bit more convinced with a full sheet so we adjust for POI. But also recognize that they're all different, just as each powder granulation and make is. Still so very much simpler than in my the days of smokeless powder selection (where the options were/are far more numerous). Thanks for the tests.

[@BlackPowderTV]

Yes, I made that point in the video but there shouldn’t be much shift at that distance. I have a further test in the works as I state at the end to look into that a bit more.

[@Hercules1-v9m]

I see a lot of guys on forums that swear by 1Fg for tight shot patterns. Usually with Goex.

[@BlackPowderTV]

I always have 1f in the box and run it through my big bores to see how it shoots in that gun shot or rb. Some love it, some I go with 2f.

[@Rumblestrip]

Interesting. Thanks for sharing. My 20 likes ffg swiss. Hadnt tried fg, but i did fffg... Both work ok... I gotta be north of 80 in ffg and 50 of fffg to not make donuts, best coverage for both was 1.5 oz of shot with #6 and #4. Id love to see your 3 foot target spreads... Very interesting. Mines covering man sized by 35 yards with a 44" barrel. Dont know if that helps you or not. I liked the velocity from 100 grains of ffg with 1.5 oz of shot. Didnt change my pattern really. Wadded wool over shot, leather over powder.

[@BlackPowderTV]

Thanks Pat. 👍🏻

[@veteranironoutdoors8320]

Could you try 3F as well? That’s what I use in my fowler and I get pretty awesome groups.

[@BlackPowderTV]

I'll do a follow up video with 2f vs 3f. Thanks!

[@UncleSasquatchOutdoors]

Great video! Fg is just too slow in that size of bore.

[@BlackPowderTV]

I agree. Works great in my 12 bore for shot....

[@johnndavis7647]

Why #5 shot? #5 carries its energy better at long range than smaller shot but in a cylinder bore you dont have a usuable pattern beyond about 25 yards. #6 shot delivers a lot more shot per ounce and penetrates well at the distances a cylinder bore will deliver. I wouldnt hesitate to shoot a turkey with #6. I have used #7 1/2 shot on rabbits and squirrels are killed them humanely with that shot size. Lots more pellets with that. Its pellet count that does the killing at 25 yards.

[@BlackPowderTV]

Johnn Davis Hey Johnn. Couldn’t agree more. This was a requested video for someone considering 1f for a 20 bore based on the suggestion of a friend of his. I told him I’d show him how it works on smaller smoothbores for me. I picked the shot bag that had the most shot in it. That’s said, I hunt turkey with #5 and all my shots are in dense woods with thick underbrush at 20y or less. Works well. Thanks!

[@geneslodysko6150]

Great video. I’m getting excited to get my daughters smoothbore this fall and to work up some load testing. My problem is getting the variety of powders to try like you have. One of your previous videos you mentioned buying powder online when shipping and hazmat is free. I’ve looked on and off but no luck. How often does that occur? What site does it normally occur on? Could you give me the heads up if you notice it? I could give you my email if you don’t mind. Thanks and keep the videos coming. This has become my favorite channel!!!!

[@BlackPowderTV]

Thanks Gene for the nice compliment! I'll let you know. It usually happens a few times a year. Usually one online retailer will do it and the others will follow. Happened at least three times last year but I havent seen it this year but I've been pretty flush with powder so haven't been paying attention. I'm starting to get low on a few. Send me an email on [e-mail] so I have your email and when I see a sale I'll let you know! I usually order from powderinc.com. Thanks again!

[@wadepatton2433]

If you can work up enough change to buy a 10-pound order from Powder Inc. the prices are significantly better than any lesser quantity, with another great break at 25. Maybe gather up some local shooters and make a group purchase. That way you set the schedule.

[@Perkinator104]

Thanks for showing this test. Black powder is a great way to practice both science and a smidge of magic haha. Did you measure the powder by weight grains or volume grains? Probably doesn't make a huge difference, but I could see 1F being less dense.

[@BlackPowderTV]

Thank you. I use volume measures. Less precise but much quicker. 👍🏻

[@bullhippo9023]

The 2f appeared to have more recoil too?

[@ernestclements7398]

Using cannon powder in a smoothbore small arm you're lucky you didn't split the barrel or at least cause a bulge, you might get away with it in a thicker barreled rifle, but I would be reluctant to even try it with a thin walled smooth bore.

[@wildrangeringreen]

? 1F is still "fine" powder (hence the "F"). "C" ("course")powders are very large granules, and are "cannon" grade (largest "c" grade I've seen looked like small pea gravel, almost). While the courser powders have a wider, shorter pressure curve (lower pressure, longer duration), you should still be fine to use it (still no where's near smokeless' pressure-curve, which is high pressure, long duration), it's usually the super fine powders (like the 4F I use in my .36 bullet rifle, and my brother uses in his .32, and bro-in-law uses in his .40) that can get you into trouble, as the peak pressure is quite a bit higher (high pressure, short duration). While most steel used in BP arms are not up to handling the demands of modern rifle and magnum pistol smokeless, a properly designed barrel can handle reasonable BP loads just fine. Thin barrels like on most shotguns are meant for lower pressure loads using courser grades of "F' powder, and shot loads, while my small bore rifles are fairly large (for the bore) at the breech, and aggressively taper to the muzzle to handle the high breech pressures (i proof mine to 1.5X, which is the typical SAMMI and CIP spec for modern cartridges), yet allow for good balance and weight. His shot load is probably only generating a peak of 20,000 psi, my .36 (278gr spitzer, 80gr 4F) is probably running 35-40,000 psi peak

[@cliffordnewby6092]

20 gauge in my experience does not like 1f. 11/2 f soso. You really got to get to .690 bores and bigger.

[@yankeedoodledandeefirecrac7518]

DRAW A TURKEY HEAD!!!! how many KILL hits?? then whats the nest distanmce 35feet?

[@paraplegichistoricalsports5700]

Why no 1/2 inch lubed cushion wad?

[@BlackPowderTV]

This was a requested video. Also I don’t fire the big wads through the chronograph. One hit and it would be toast. It’d probably knock it over. Thanks!

[@paraplegichistoricalsports5700]

@@BlackPowderTV I c

[@ernestclements7398]

Using cannon powder in a smoothbore small arm you're lucky you didn't split the barrel or at least cause a bulge, you might get away with it in a thicker barreled rifle, but I would be reluctant to even try it with a thin walled smooth bore.

[@BlackPowderTV]

Cannon powder is slower burning with a lower pressure than rifle powder. 👍🏻