Ffg and fffg

[bbarnhart20]

What's the difference in these two?

[Buzz]

The more f's the finer the powder. F=cannon powder, ffff is flintlock pan powder.

It's my experience that there's little difference between ffg and fffg, or, I've shot both out of the same gun with good results.

[quigleysharps4570]

You'll get a little more velocity out of 3f than 2f.

[GWSmith]

Here is what I have on my computer that I've been going by:

Granular size of the powder determines the intended use of the powder. Black powder granules come in sizes from the largest grain 1fg (fg) down to the very finest 4fg (ffffg).

The sizes are all suited for a particular type of use:

1fg: This powder has the largest grains and normally is not used in firearms, but if you happen to have a cannon, this just might be the powder for you.

2fg: The actual grain size of the powder is smaller than that of the 1fg powder. This powder is most commonly used in larger bored rifles starting at about .45 caliber and up.

3fg: This powder has an even finer grain and is used primarily in pistols.

4fg:This is the finest powder and is usually reserved for use in the flash pan on flintlock rifles.

[quigleysharps4570]

I use 3f in my little .40 caliber longrifle and prime the pan with Swiss Null B...it's finer than 4f. I use 2f in the .50 and Goex Cartridge Grade in the .54 caliber.

[bbarnhart20]

thanks

[PA_RIDGE_RUNNER]

The nearly universal unwritten rule about the granulation of powder and their use goes a little like this for rifles.

1f forget it.

2f for barrel use in 50 cal and larger rifles.

3f for barrel use in pistols and rifles up to 50 cal and possibly for pan in a flintlock.

4f Pan powder only.

I use and shoot both the 2f and 3f in my 50 cal rifles. 2f in my inline and 3f in my flintlocks. I have a lot of 4f so use that exclusively as pan powder but have shot at the range a few times with 3f in the pan.

All black powder is the same thing it is just sold in different granulations and the finer the powder the faster the burn and gives a little more umph. That is up to 3f. 4f in the barrel may burn too fast and cause a pressure spike that the barrel may not be able to contain.