the use of 4F powder in magnum cartridges

[Matt85]

im curious if any one here has tried using 4F powder in magnum cartridges such as .357 mag, .44 mag, .460 mag, or .500 mag? I would think 4F powder would still yield lower pressures then the high end mag loads for these cartridges but it would get you closer then a case full of 3F. the fouling would also be lighter which is always a bonus. I don't currently own a gun in a magnum cartridge so I wont be able to try this myself any time soon but a .357 magnum SAA revolver is on my list.

so any one tried it?

-matt

[Don McDowell]

It can be done, but better results are obtained by staying with 3f.

[mazo kid]

I would not use ffffg black for any powder charge; I've heard that some tests were done and the pressures were higher and erratic. I only use that powder for the intended purpose of priming the pan of my flintlocks.

[Don McDowell]

Yes we've heard that stuff about pressures high and irratic, but when you go back and look at the older Lyman muzzleloaders handbook, they tested 4f in a number of things and included the pressure and velocity data, and that does not line up with the popular belief.

[Matt85]

there are certain BP pistols that are designed to use 4F powder. the whole "4F is only for priming" idea is an American thing. in Europe 4F isn't uncommon to use in pistols and many have achieved good results. I own a pistol designed to use 4F (that's what the manufacturer recommends) and have fired it many times using KIK 4F without problems. ive just never heard of it being used in cartridges but then again im new to the cartridge game.

-matt

[cal50]

I had a Thompson Center Patriot target pistol years back and used it as a guinea pig for all powders from 1F thru 4F. The fouling was more noticeable using the 4F. Accuracy was essentially the same with 3F giving a good balance of accuracy vs fouling. I should have hung on to that pistol. Amazing accuracy.

[KCSO]

Samo Samo I tried 4F and other than more crusty fouling I got nothing 3 wouldn't give me and no more velocity than 3.

[cal50]

I should have tried the 5 F stuff.....


http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu178/cal50/IMG_20130612_141733_zps462f2f99.jpg (http://s645.photobucket.com/user/cal50/media/IMG_20130612_141733_zps462f2f99.jpg.html)

[wgr]

i would sure want some good load data first.

[mazo kid]

Well, I learned something today. I didn't realize that pistol/revolver cartridges were actually loaded with 4fg!

[wgr]

i have one of the older lyman books .did,nt find any thing about 4f but for priming

[Matt85]

im looking to buy a Ruger Blackhawk in 357 mag in the near future so ill give it a try and post results.

-matt

[Don McDowell]

i have one of the older lyman books .did,nt find any thing about 4f but for priming

Well how's about you find the first edition, you can go as late as the 10th printing, take a look at pages 71,72,73,74, and 76 and get back to us?

[fouronesix]

For those interested, this Lyman Handbook has quite a lot of C&B revolver load data with velocities and pressures for FFF and FFFF.