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Thread: Vetterli black powder

  1. #1
    Boolit Master
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    Vetterli black powder

    I usually use Goex FFG in my Vetterli .41 (M81) but I'm out. I have alot of Goex FFFG. Should I reduce the load of FFFG or is there no big difference?

  2. #2
    Boolit Buddy Desertbuck's Avatar
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    It will be more than likely be a little bit more snappy. But I doubt you will be in trouble pressure wise in any way. I don't know about accuracy though. More than likely it's going to be like any powder change. You're going to have to find the sweet spot for the particular rifle with said powder. But my experience with black powder is that at least the rifles & pistols I own are very forgiving.
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  3. #3
    Boolit Master
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    Only real difference will be the burning rate, composition should be the same. Fffg will probably produce a bit higher pressure but within the pressure limits of your rifle thus, as Desertbuck said, a bit snappier recoil Other than that it should be fine. DB is also right about finding the right load for the smaller grained powder.
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  4. #4
    Boolit Master
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    I use FFG and FFFG in my cap and ball revolvers (usually FFG in the originals). I wasn't sure if using the FFFG powder in a cartridge might make a difference. I also use FFG in my 50-70 Trapdoor with reduced loads (Cream of Wheat or grits as a filler). I didn't want to use a filler in the Vetterli .41.

  5. #5
    Boolit Grand Master Nobade's Avatar
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    Rifle won't care. POI may be slightly different. Fouling will be different. It'll work fine.

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  6. #6
    Boolit Master
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    I use .429 cast bullets and cases made from 348 Winchester. Since the bullet is short, and I like to use the magazine, I make the case length 1.67". The bullets seat enough to give the OAL of 2.2" for the magazine.
    I'd like to use shorter cases, and a longer bullet, but the short case would limit how much BP I could use. I'm thinking of switching to smokeless powder. Any suggestions on a longer bullet?

    I have some vintage .41 Swiss rounds (rimfire) that look like they might be paper patched. The cases are approx. 1.52" in length, and the bullets are 300 grs hollow base. I measured the powder - the case held approx. 15 grs of an unknown smokeless powder. That would be a great bullet if I could find some.

  7. #7
    Boolit Master
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    50 grs Goex FFFG topped by a small amount of grits worked great. It was a littler snappier, it shot a little higher but I think I like the FFFG better than the FFG.
    I ordered a mold from Accurate Mold made for the Vetterli (310 gr heeled bullet). A longer bullet and shorter cases will make reloading easier.

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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