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Thread: Curtis and Harvey granulation sizes ??

  1. #1
    Boolit Mold
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    Curtis and Harvey granulation sizes ??

    I have a few pounds of Curtis and Harvey F granulation. Can anyone give me an idea of the granulation compared to other black powder. The reason I am asking is it says F on the bottles which I assume is 1F, but in comparing it to Goex FFG the CH powder is a finer granulation. I have checked all 6 bottles that I have and they are all the same granulation. Any information on this powder would be appreciated.

  2. #2
    Moderator Emeritus / Trusted loob groove dealer

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    It is closer to modern 2FF.
    The solid soft lead bullet is undoubtably the best and most satisfactory expanding bullet that has ever been designed. It invariably mushrooms perfectly, and never breaks up. With the metal base that is essential for velocities of 2000 f.s. and upwards to protect the naked base, these metal-based soft lead bullets are splendid.
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  3. #3
    Boolit Mold
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    Is that in burn rate only since it is smaller in size than Goex 2FF

  4. #4
    Boolit Grand Master Don McDowell's Avatar
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    Use it like you would Goex 2f. There won't be a lot of difference in load performance.
    Long range rules, the rest drool.

  5. #5
    Boolit Mold
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    Well that sounds great. Gives me another reloading road to go down and have fun with.

  6. #6
    Boolit Master Lead pot's Avatar
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    Man it's been a long time since I have seen Curtis and Harvey powder.
    I never seen it labeled in "F" only as C&H#6 or No #5
    It was a very clean burning powder and I would save it for special purpose powder.

  7. #7
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    Smile Curtis's & Harvey's FFFG

    Kurt:

    Here's a can that I have.........still full. C & H FFFG.

    The can is like brand new, and same with the powder inside. The lot numbers are clearly visable on top of the can "2033268".

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  8. #8
    Boolit Master Lead pot's Avatar
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    RRR

    My containers were 5 pound and 1# and made in Scotland

  9. #9
    Boolit Mold
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    This one of my CH containers it is in 500G weight and says
    Manufactured in Germany for
    Nobel Explosives Company Limited
    Stevenston, Ayrshire, Scotland
    A subsidiary of Imperial Chemical Company

  10. #10
    Boolit Grand Master


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    Hodgdon used to market it under their name in the 70 and 80's. I still have a can I bought in Kalispell marked FFG.
    Charter Member #148

  11. #11
    Boolit Mold
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    Any idea as to what years this container was used for CH packaging?

  12. #12
    Black Powder 100%


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    You will find that any BP made in countries outside the USA will have a smaller grain size than the Goex made here.
    That is why I've always said that it is not a legitimate test when comparing the two as far as velocity and fouling.
    I have compared many different brands and F sizes and have found this to be true across the board. My testing was done under a microscope and not the naked eye.
    Swiss powder shows the best results in the grain size being very uniform in shape and size. The larger grains show more irregular shapes and sizes.
    This is why a can of Swiss 2F will always come out on top when compared to Goex 2F. The Swiss 2F is closer in size to our 3 F and each grain is very uniform. The Goex grains are larger and much more irregular in shape.
    As you all know all BP is made from the same basic ingredients with the European brands using a better wood for the charcoal which is one reason they outperform our Goex brand.
    The second reason is the fact that BP burns from the outer surface area to the inner area. The more uniform each grain is, the better this burn.
    We only have the standard Goex to compare with today and it is very irregular in size, this gives it the reason for failure when compared to the better produced powders.
    One way to boost your Goex is to sock it before using it to load cartridges or muzzleloaders. This will remove the fines and help with the final results. Later David
    Shooter of the "HOLY BLACK" SASS 81802 AKA FAIRSHAKE; NRA ; BOLD; WARTHOG;Deadwood Marshal;Bayou Bounty Hunter; So That his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat; 44 WCF filled to the top, 210 gr. bullet

  13. #13
    Boolit Mold
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    cajun shooter,
    Thank you for that, gives a little more insight into the workings of B, and why the difference.

  14. #14
    Boolit Grand Master Don McDowell's Avatar
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    Delta, is there any code dates stamped on those bottles that might indicate when it was made? I'm wondering if maybe Wano is producing powder for "Curtis and Harvey" and just maybe there'll be another brand in the market place?
    Long range rules, the rest drool.

  15. #15
    Boolit Mold
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    Quote Originally Posted by Don McDowell View Post
    Delta, is there any code dates stamped on those bottles that might indicate when it was made? I'm wondering if maybe Wano is producing powder for "Curtis and Harvey" and just maybe there'll be another brand in the market place?
    Don:
    lot # is BPL15A It would be nice to see a stickie on the difference in powders, granulations, and powder cans [ect]. Or maybe I just haven't read through everything as of yet.
    Wife says I have one track mind syndrome when getting on a subject. After 4 decades I am just starting to think she may be right.

  16. #16
    Boolit Grand Master Don McDowell's Avatar
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    I don't have a clue when it was made, altho I would take a guess that it had to be 1990's or later , as nobody put bp in a plastic bottle until Swiss started showing up that way....
    Long range rules, the rest drool.

  17. #17
    Boolit Grand Master Don McDowell's Avatar
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    Long range rules, the rest drool.

  18. #18
    Boolit Man
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    A while back a friend of mine gave me 5 # s of curtis and harvey black powder. John Boy on the ASSRA Fourm ran some tests on it and listed it on the fourm. You can find the results of the sive testing by checking those fourms. john

  19. #19
    Boolit Mold
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    That was quite an intersting article, looks as though curtis and harvey at least in the seive testing rated very high. first time I had ever heard of the Diamond powder though.

  20. #20
    Boolit Buddy
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    I seem to recall selling the C&H powder in those translucent white containers, with the basketweave pattern on the sides, when I worked in a gunshop in Australia, & that was in the early 1980s. When I went back in the late '80s there was pretty much only GoEx available there, now it seems like Wano & Swiss are what is being imported.

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check